Vannes
The aire was a Camping Car Aire. After we arrived and recovered, we went for a walk. We found a lovely area with an outdoor pool/beach and although the tide was out the pool provided a safe place to swim. A very family orientated atmosphere. We thought we might go for a swim the following day.
John had wanted to see Vannes, but too be honest it was a bit of a disappointment. It had a few nice shops and some quirky buildings but no real buzz about it. When we returned we decided to eat out at the campsite restaurant next door. We thought were going to settle for pizza, but the young waitress brought over a black board with specials and John had curry and lorraine steak. Followed by to deserts which we probably could have done without. All of a sudden we found ourselves in the middle of a pub music quiz, all in French of course. We sat on for a good while and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Apart from French we could have been at home. Some of the music was familiar so we did get some right. We got up and on the road the following morning and headed for St Malo
St Malo
We were really looking forward to St Malo, although we had been before, we knew it had a lovely small beach just a few hundred yards from the campsite. We knew when we arrived to go and get a pitch and then go to the office when it opened later. As it happens we got a pitch just meters from were we where last time.
We decided to cycle the 4.5k into St Malo it’s self, stopping to look at various things on the way including beach volley ball. We spotted a fish and chip shop which might be handy on the way home.
St Malo is a walled city, and we were amazed what was hidden behind those fortified walls. We strolled through the streets, each one leading to something new. We just soaked up the holiday atmosphere. Lorraine spied a nice shoulder bag, which she bought on the way out. We sat for about 1/2 hour and watch some men playing French boules. When we got back to the bikes we cycled the same route home so that we could find the Fish & Chip shop. A fish & Chip shop in France run by a middle east guy. The fish & chips were not bad, not up to Norn Ireland standards but we both enjoyed them. Is vinegar and English thing, you don’t seem to get vinegar in France. Fed and watered we cycled back to the camp site.
The weather forecast for the following day was better and high tide was about 11:30am. So no big rush to get out. We walked with all our stuff down to the wee beach and had a lovely time. The sea didn’t have waves as such and it was lovely to swim in a calm sea. Lorraine is growing in confidence with her swimming and we ventured into the sea couple of times.
When we walked back to the site, John noticed a UK van behind us and said hello to the guy who replied Bonjuor, then caught himself on and answered in a broad Newcastle accent. We must have stood and talked for about an hour to Gary and Karen. It is lovely sometimes just to have a conversation with people who understand what you saying. After tea we went over to their van and spent the evening with them. They were getting the ferry home from St Malo in the morning.
Jim had texted John, him and Geraldine were only twenty mins away and invited us around for a cup tea. They had found a lovely camp site in a nice village. We swapped stories and made plans for Tuesday as we were both booked on the same ferry home. We left Jim and Geraldine and headed to Mont St Michael, we had to go being this close.
Mont Saint Michael.
We were so close to the Mont, we really had to call. We called at the supermarket and got a few supplies for the next few days. We had booked in at the same Aire as last year. After a short while, we got out the bikes and cycled down the green way to Mont St Michael. It was about 18:30 when we got there. Lorraine was a bit disappointed that everything was closing up. Only Hotels and restaurants were staying open. We noticed that two army vehicles and a police car, were parked a short distance away. Obviously showing a presence. It was nice to cycle the greenway and get a bit of exercise.
Isigny Sur Mere
The following morning, we got up and did the services and headed towards our base for the next few days. We stopped at Saint Lo for lunch but moved on and found a free aire in Isigny Sur mere. A Normandy village, not a lot going on, but restful just the same. Lorraine bought a few things in one of the shops and we went for a short walk along the river. The weather was overcast and a healthy 23Degrees or so. We stayed for two nights, we could have stayed longer but we had booked into our final Aire for Sunday and Monday. The count down to the Ferry is on.
A big welcome home from Sarah, what a lovely surprise!
