Europe 2017
24 April - 2 May
The adventure continues…..Year five…
If you want to see enlarged photos just double click on any photo.
If you want to see enlarged photos just double click on any photo.
A good flight with a seventeen hour stopover and explore of Singapore, then onto London.
Taxi from the Airport to Church Farm (65 Pounds) near Bosham where ‘Lefty’ (our Camper) is stored. Wonderful to see our ‘little home’ all ready to go after a full service and MOT. 'He' now has a new cam belt and brakes.
Off to Hayling Island and our friend Nat’s place on the beach. She owns the end part of “The Royal”, a quaint Victorian Hotel favoured by the Royals.
We had a fantastic week staying at Nat’s, eating at our favourite Thai Restaurant down the road in West Town, catching up with our friends Mary and Paul, lunch at SouthSea, walks along the beach and around the Island. Breakfast and lunch at our favourite cafe up the road, “ MadHatters”. We were wrapped up in our thermals and woollies enjoying cold but sunny, crisp days with the occasional spot of rain.
We did have one ‘hiccup’, Lefty developed a peculiar sound coming from the engine, another visit to Church Farm and a walk to Bosham and coffee while we waited for the verdict. Turned out to be the water pump and a six hour fix. We changed our ferry booking to France from Monday to Wednesday (3rd May) thankful we discovered the problem sooner rather than later.
03 May - 4 May
A good eleven hour overnight crossing of the channel on the Brittany Ferry “Bretagne’ arriving early Thursday morning on the beautiful Côte d’Emeraude and the mast-filled port of St Malo. A short drive to our usual camp, 'Camping Des Chevrets' (17 Euros) with it’s great location and direct access to the beach and views over the bay.
Sunny with a cool breeze, we sorted Lefty and went for a long walk around the Île Besnard.
Our first Remoska of the year (Chicken) … delicious.
05 May
A windy but nice day so instead of biking we decided to walk into St Malo. A stunning walk starting at the camp beach, 'Place des Mites' at low tide, through the forest, along the rugged coast lined with beautiful bays and grand old villas, sandy beaches and finally 'Plage du Sillon'. 
Through the gateway of Porte St-Vincent to the walled town of St Malo. Settlement began here is the 6th century but construction of the walled city’s fortifications began in the 12th century.
Originally an island, it’s now connected to the mainland by a causeway called Intra-Muros.
WWII left 80 percent of St Malo in ruins, it’s now rebuilt in a 17th and 18th century architectural style.
We walked the cobbled streets and alleyways lined with shops and eateries and enjoyed coffee on a cafe terrace. Strolled along the top of the ramparts for great views of the walled city and surrounding rocky islets and Fort du Petit Bé. There are people sunbathing and swimming in the sheltered sandy beaches below.7pm and 30kms later we were back at camp.
06 May
Catch-up day and walks along the camp beaches in-between showers.
07 May
08 May
A pretty bike ride through farmlands and following the coast uphill around Pointe du Grouin via Port Mer and into the little fishing Port of Cancale famed for it’s offshore oyster beds. There are dozens of oyster beds and the terraced eateries are very popular, thespecialty des huîtres (oysters).
Headed for the oyster market sheds on the beach and bought a dozen size 2 oysters (5.60 euros ) which the lady expertly opened for us. She told us it was Victory Day and a public holiday which accounted for the numbers of people here - there is a good vibe! Sat on the beach and slurped the oysters with the locals tossing the empty shells onto the beach.
We’ve been looking forward to this moment since we were last here in 2012, the oysters are delicious!
Walked the beach front promenade looking at some of the sumptuous seafood meals being eaten and admiring the view.
A good first up 26kms bike ride.
09 May
Off today but before we left we paid a 15 euros deposit to reserve a pitch over the busy July/August period. This is a great camp with a great location with lots of biking and walking opportunities not to mention the pretty villages and a more temperate climate in July/August.
Headed west towards St Brieuc and our next stop 100 kms away in the little harbour town of Binic. ‘Camping Le Panoramic’ is about 40kms from Paimpol, it has a heated swimming pool and terraced cafe. (17 euros). The town is a sailing resort as well as a charming seaside destination.
Headed west towards St Brieuc and our next stop 100 kms away in the little harbour town of Binic. ‘Camping Le Panoramic’ is about 40kms from Paimpol, it has a heated swimming pool and terraced cafe. (17 euros). The town is a sailing resort as well as a charming seaside destination.
Walked the beach, popular with kite surfers, and along the waterfront lined with eateries overlooking the harbour. Climbed stairs at the end of the promenade and found the path following the rugged coastline (part of the GR34 coastal hiking).
Followed the path for about an hour and a half and enjoyed the wild, windy, rugged scenery and the grand old mansions.
10 May
In the afternoon the wind died and we followed the coastal walk from the campsite
passed lovely sandy bays, around the Landrellec Headland to see Trégastel and boats moored in the harbour. However we decided to turn around and head back to camp as it’s getting late.
Dinner was yummy, it’s the first time we’ve cooked fish in our remoska, delicious, with frîtes bought from the camp snack bar.
Started the day with a scenic run and a walk early to beat the rain.
Walked 11kms on the coastal walk to the little seaside town of Trégastel. A mishap on the way as we decided to take a short cut across the beach. While crossing slippery rocks to get over the river Pamo misplaced her foot and fell in ooooops! At least it wasn’t too cold!!!!
Strolled into the outskirts of town which was pretty deserted, definitely seasonal. A very pretty sandy beach in the bay, Place de Grève-Blanche, with outcrops of the pink granite rocks emerging from the water.
Evidently there was nothing here until the late 1800’s when a railway line was constructed to attract the tourists. The charming houses and buildings are typical of a sea resort of the period.
A great bike ride via Trégastel town centre and Ploumanach following the coast to Perros-Guirec, a popular resort on the Northern Coast of Brittany. Perros-Guirec is best known for it’s beaches and being at the centre of the Pink Granite coast. The sandy beach is in a cove sheltered by rocky outlets of land on both sides of the beach with some fabulous grand villas built on them. Various eateries line the beach promenade.
Our return journey included a stop at Ploumanach, a pretty seaside resort in a bay with rose tinted cliffs on either side. 22kms.
Off to Quiberon tomorrow.
Followed the path for about an hour and a half and enjoyed the wild, windy, rugged scenery and the grand old mansions.
10 May
Awoke to see a Hymer camper parked opposite Lefty, arrived during the night. Five French occupants, mum, dad and the three Yorkie Terriers from Normandy. Had a chat and a play with the cute Yorkies - Lucky, Mostique and Lunar, who loved our mat and ball.
Said 'au revoir' and headed to our next camp near Perros-Guirec, about 90kms away! Headed in the direction of Brest through pretty countryside of spring colours dotted with bright yellow rape, fields of wheat and stone farm hamlets. Into 'La Côte de Granit Rose', 'the Pink Granite coast' evidently named as it glows with pink granite cliffs, also inhabited by otters.
Followed the signs to Trégastel to our camp south of Trégastel Plage on the Landrellec Headland, 'Camping du Port'. (16 euros). Chose a pitch on the beach with a great sea view!
Followed the signs to Trégastel to our camp south of Trégastel Plage on the Landrellec Headland, 'Camping du Port'. (16 euros). Chose a pitch on the beach with a great sea view!
In the afternoon the wind died and we followed the coastal walk from the campsite
passed lovely sandy bays, around the Landrellec Headland to see Trégastel and boats moored in the harbour. However we decided to turn around and head back to camp as it’s getting late.
Dinner was yummy, it’s the first time we’ve cooked fish in our remoska, delicious, with frîtes bought from the camp snack bar.
11 May
Started the day with a scenic run and a walk early to beat the rain.
Had a lovely quiet day reading and planning our next stop. It’s wet and windy outside.
12 May
Walked 11kms on the coastal walk to the little seaside town of Trégastel. A mishap on the way as we decided to take a short cut across the beach. While crossing slippery rocks to get over the river Pamo misplaced her foot and fell in ooooops! At least it wasn’t too cold!!!!
Strolled into the outskirts of town which was pretty deserted, definitely seasonal. A very pretty sandy beach in the bay, Place de Grève-Blanche, with outcrops of the pink granite rocks emerging from the water. 
Evidently there was nothing here until the late 1800’s when a railway line was constructed to attract the tourists. The charming houses and buildings are typical of a sea resort of the period.
13 May
A great bike ride via Trégastel town centre and Ploumanach following the coast to Perros-Guirec, a popular resort on the Northern Coast of Brittany. Perros-Guirec is best known for it’s beaches and being at the centre of the Pink Granite coast. The sandy beach is in a cove sheltered by rocky outlets of land on both sides of the beach with some fabulous grand villas built on them. Various eateries line the beach promenade. 
Continued our bike ride up the steep hill into the town centre where we had coffee and a chat with Maryanne from one of the TV stations. She was promoting Miss France who was born in Perros-Guirec and Col was quite the interviewee! Down to the beach for lunch looking out to sea and admiring the picturesque combination of pink rocks, blue sea and outer islands.
Our return journey included a stop at Ploumanach, a pretty seaside resort in a bay with rose tinted cliffs on either side. 22kms.Off to Quiberon tomorrow.
Hi Enzedders! Have been on the watch for your blog so pleased to see it up and running. We're just a little bit green, would love to be over there again but looking forward to our little road trip down under from next month. Safe travels, look forward to more posts. (Don't fall in the water Pam!) Cheers, Jan & Mike.
ReplyDeleteHey there! We're really enjoying following your progress, and are very pleased to hear that all is going smoothly with your travels, and that Lefty is behaving himself! I'm impressed that you were the first to take a swim, Pam, well done 🤣😂. Great to hear that you're walking and biking most days - what a wonderful way to take in as much local atmosphere as you can. The food is sounding pretty good too - nothing like it to help remember where you've been and what you've done. Those oysters - wow! As our days get shorter and colder, yours will be doing the opposite - that sounds great to me! Keep enjoying and adventuring, and we'll stay warm and follow you from the couch with the heater roaring. Cheers Di and Mel ( PS We're STILL shed dwellers, and will be for at least another month - things are slow 😩, although all is going well)
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