Solstice, Sun and Stones

 The sun shone for our arrival in Carnac today as befits the winter solstice. We thought it might be busy here as Stonehenge attracts a crowd but we are the only van parked by the stones. Perhaps early this morning the area was alive with druids and drumming and, as usual, we arrived too late to catch the action.

Carnac

After yet another crepe (three days in a row) for lunch we thought we’d have a stroll through the stones. The gates were locked and our effort to walk around the perimeter was thwarted by a diamanté clad french bulldog who attacked Hugo and wasn’t too keen on me either. I took Hugo, who was shaken but unharmed,  back to the van and Graham bravely continued alone.

Nasty beast

The glamorous dog tried to have a go at Graham but when she saw the camera she thought she’d have a quick pose so he managed to slip by without getting bitten. He took some good photos and a few orbs appeared - one in the shape of a broomstick - how apt.

Broomstick orb

My favourite stone

They’ve had a bit of rain - and those stones above are moving

Oh, and I met a donkey.

I missed writing a piece yesterday mainly because nothing very exciting happened. We were in Chateaubourg which was a nice enough town. The most exciting thing was the overpowering smell of apples coming from a several hundred metre trainload full to the brim with - you guessed it - apples.

Just a few apples

Off to Brittany

Last night was spent at Pont L'Eveque. The thought of stying somewhere that was also a cheese was just too tempting. It is a fairly attractive town that was severely bombed in August 1944 so a lot of the buildings have been rebuilt. We parked for free overnight in the main carpark and had a rather fabulous galette in Cafe Normandie. 

Strangely, the Tourist Office has a sign letting visitors know that they’re 331 km from Ottery St Mary in Devon. Well, we were wondering…and a corkscrew laden Christmas tree was a delight to behold. Santa has to have something to open his wine as he sits by the fireplace after delivering his gifts to all the children.

Phew! We were wondering …

Best decorations ever on the Pont L’Eveque wine shop
………………..

Aerial view of the castle in Fougéres 

We’ve now arrived in Fougéres in Brittany. There is a rather lovely medieval quarter and a castle which is not Hugo friendly so we gave that a miss. Once again, we’ve parked in the centre of town for free and we can stay here overnight. Speaking of Santa, we noticed him in the Tourist Office obviously getting directions to the local children’s chimneys.

Are you lost…?

With any luck we’ll arrive in Carnac for the solstice in a couple of days time.

The old laundry

A rather amusing angel

Great topiary

Festive stained glass

St Viviane sleeps

A less amusing but lovely angel in the church

Festive Food and a Flat Bird

Monday evening. As we strolled through the town of Le Crotoy, which is full of restaurants, all we saw were closed shutters and signs saying ‘FERME’. Our spirits dipped and we thought we’d end up going back to the van for cheese and a baguette until, joy of joys, at the very end of the high street we saw flashing lights and a very welcoming ‘OUVERT’ sign.

We’d eaten at Le Mascaret a few years ago and knew the food was fabulous - they happily let Hugo in and he didn’t even attack the waiter. Seafood beckoned. Scallops, prawns, and a couple of french desserts hit the spot. On the way back to the van we marvelled at the stylish (of course) French Christmas lights by the harbour.

It’s looking at me

We walked Hugo down to the bay this morning and were greeted by a very flat penguin. I stupidly thought it had been run over before I realised it was a cardboard cutout of an oyster catcher. I must work on my bird identification skills.

Flat out

Late but Lovely

 As always, we managed to arrive at our next destination just as the restaurants were closing after lunch. Note to self - get up earlier tomorrow.

On the waterfront - a tad chilly

Le Crotoy is a place we’ve come back to many times. We park by the bay and it’s a short walk into town to the many seafood restaurants that serve local seafood (when they’re open). We’re hoping to get a meal out tonight but it is Monday - in France - near Christmas. There’s a fallback cassoulet in a can if everything is closed.

A bit weathered

An elfin Graham

There is a decaying boat on the shoreline which we photograph each year to note its decline. Its condition has worsened a bit but it makes for an interesting photo. And I found the water-management architecture rather interesting.

Attractive sluice gate control

Nous Sommes Arrivés

We drove off Le Shuttle and were welcomed with sunshine and clear skies. The fields look pretty sodden so we may have missed some of the worst weather - so far.

A short drive later and we've arrived for an overnight stop in one of our favourite towns, Montreuil Sur Mer. A festive Christmas market was somewhat ruined by a rather solemn tuba intoning exceedingly slow versions of well known carols but the santa-hatted carolers waiting in the wings looked like they'd be much more fun. We didn't hang around to find out.

Instead we headed out to the ramparts and all eight of our legs.

Deal Does Dog Drama

Next stop Deal in Kent - via Folkestone to pick up Hugo’s Animal Health Certificate for our trip to France as Pet Passports no longer exist thanks to the sovereignty of Brexit.

A true lapdog 

Sixty nine Pounds and two hours later we arrived in Deal to a frenzy of dog fighting as Hugo asserted his authority (in his own mind) over our friends’ resident border terrier, Teddy. It calmed down quite quickly as long as Teddy kept his distance from me and Graham. Jealousy is a curse and it comes with bared teeth and a curled lip.

Chaotic scenes as they vie for ownership of the Conservative candidate’s leaflet which has just been thrust through the letterbox.

Thanks to Suzi and Scottie for putting up with the dog drama and for serving us with such fine food at their restaurant, The Dining Club, last night. We’re now at the Aire in Canterbury for an overnight stop before we head for France tomorrow.

A Room With No View - for a while

 Beachy Head will be a good place to spend our first night, we thought. Good distance, gorge location, nice pub to have a meal and stay in the carpark. We hadn’t quite expected the view to be limited to the hand in front of our faces. Rather amusing but maybe it will improve by morning.

 

Where Am I?

The new day dawned and, as expected, the sky was clear and a fabulous view was to be had. We walked to the edge to find a memorial to WWII Royal Air Force pilots. 

Sporting my new shorn haircut

RAF Memorial

Dickie from a safe distance

If you’re up at Beachy Head it’s worth popping in to the shop next to the pub. There’s a small museum there with artefacts from the area. They range from a Shepherd’s smock to a 3,000 year old skeleton of a young woman who came here from Cyprus (don’t tell Farage). And, most importantly, you can buy chocolate too.

Hot Shepherd Action

Skeleton of a woman in her 20s found in the area