August 3-4, 2019: Arrival in Brittany, Day in Nantes
Upon arrival in Rennes, AlteCocker was met at the train station by her home exchangers. They drove her to the house in Bain-de-Bretagne and served her a traditional Breton galette (made with a different flour than a traditional dessert style crepe). Then the next day, she drove with them to the airport in Nantes and they left for the US. Rather than return to Bain-de-Bretagne directly, AlteCocker spent the day in Nantes, seeing both the Medieval Chateau and Mechanical Animals. She took a tram between and left the car near the chateau. To return to the home exchange, she used her Garmin GPS, which she always takes to Europe with her.
At the Chateau AlteCocker heard for the first time, the story of the acquisition of Brittany by the French crown. As is usual with medieval movement of dukedoms, it involved a heiress and her marriages, Anne de Bretagne (Anne of Brittany). AlteCocker was to hear this story over and over during the exchange. Most of the chateaux in Brittany are in ruins and have their origins in the many wars that occurred between France and Brittany before the acquisition. While the ones in the Loire are more spectacular and palace like, AlteCocker has seen many of those and did not look in that direction. She also did not go to Mont St. Michel or the Bayeux Tapestry--as she has seen those on prior visits.
After the chateau visit, AlteCocker took the tram to the Mechanical Animals in Nantes. Because AlteCocker is a senior and was using a cane (she had back surgery in April 2019 and was still recovering), the queue at the entrance was initmidating. However, never fear. She didn't ask, but was offered immediate entry due to her age (explanations only in French). She also bought a timed ticket to ride the mechanical elephant that has to be seen to be believed. If you are a large group, AlteCocker would recommend buying elephant tickets in advance. AlteCocker, once again being a single, got lucky. The elephant is 3 times the size of a regular elephant and you ride inside. AlteCocker, due to her reduced post operative mobility, did not climb to the top of the elephant but contented herself riding inside. The elephant squirts water out the trunk and kids run in front of it to get soaked. The controls are at the junction of the head and trunk. The mechanics are very interesting and both it and the mechanical animals are much more interesting than anything AlteCocker has seen at Disney. The Mechanical Animals. which AlteCocker did not know about, were a pleasant surprise.
At the Chateau AlteCocker heard for the first time, the story of the acquisition of Brittany by the French crown. As is usual with medieval movement of dukedoms, it involved a heiress and her marriages, Anne de Bretagne (Anne of Brittany). AlteCocker was to hear this story over and over during the exchange. Most of the chateaux in Brittany are in ruins and have their origins in the many wars that occurred between France and Brittany before the acquisition. While the ones in the Loire are more spectacular and palace like, AlteCocker has seen many of those and did not look in that direction. She also did not go to Mont St. Michel or the Bayeux Tapestry--as she has seen those on prior visits.
After the chateau visit, AlteCocker took the tram to the Mechanical Animals in Nantes. Because AlteCocker is a senior and was using a cane (she had back surgery in April 2019 and was still recovering), the queue at the entrance was initmidating. However, never fear. She didn't ask, but was offered immediate entry due to her age (explanations only in French). She also bought a timed ticket to ride the mechanical elephant that has to be seen to be believed. If you are a large group, AlteCocker would recommend buying elephant tickets in advance. AlteCocker, once again being a single, got lucky. The elephant is 3 times the size of a regular elephant and you ride inside. AlteCocker, due to her reduced post operative mobility, did not climb to the top of the elephant but contented herself riding inside. The elephant squirts water out the trunk and kids run in front of it to get soaked. The controls are at the junction of the head and trunk. The mechanics are very interesting and both it and the mechanical animals are much more interesting than anything AlteCocker has seen at Disney. The Mechanical Animals. which AlteCocker did not know about, were a pleasant surprise.
August 5, 2019: Carnac
With the day in Nantes behind her, it was time for AlteCocker to start knocking off her list. First on the list was Carnac, France's version of Stonehenge. The monuments, mostly aligned in straight lines and /or circles were a long 2 hours + drive from Bain-de- Bretagne. AlteCocker's one regret was not staying over as she did not have time to see the museum there.
Arriving, AlteCocker took the Petit Train, which leaves from the Visitors' Center, along the beach, stopping to have lunch before visiting the Center and the megaliths (and buying a t-shirt). She then set out on a quest to visit the prehistoric tumulus of Kercado (a tumulus is a prehistoric gravesite); there was a small charge to enter the site (bring small change). She almost gave up finding it when there it was! Mission accomplished and without a change of clothes or hotel reservation, she had some water at--of all things--an Indian restaurant adjacent to the tumulus and drove back. Not seeing the museum was a downer but she did see the stones--something she had wanted to do for years. There is just so much to see and do in France and you always miss something.
Arriving, AlteCocker took the Petit Train, which leaves from the Visitors' Center, along the beach, stopping to have lunch before visiting the Center and the megaliths (and buying a t-shirt). She then set out on a quest to visit the prehistoric tumulus of Kercado (a tumulus is a prehistoric gravesite); there was a small charge to enter the site (bring small change). She almost gave up finding it when there it was! Mission accomplished and without a change of clothes or hotel reservation, she had some water at--of all things--an Indian restaurant adjacent to the tumulus and drove back. Not seeing the museum was a downer but she did see the stones--something she had wanted to do for years. There is just so much to see and do in France and you always miss something.
August 6-7, 2019: Caen Memorial, D-Day Landings
The main thing AlteCocker wanted to see while in Brittany were the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. On the first day of her two day journey, she visited the Memorial at Caen and then headed for a hotel on the northern end of the landing beaches just south of Cherbourg. She booked the hotel through the internet while she had wifi at the Caen Memorial.
On Day 2 of her journey AlteCocker drove south and began her visit in St. Mere Eglise to see the Airborne Museum and the famous church where the parachutist played dead for hours in the steeple; the museum and church are adjacent. AlteCocker went first to the Church, which has been rebuilt; a dummy parachutist hangs from the steeple. Inside one of the stained glass windows shows parachutists descending from the sky to help. AlteCocker had an interesting conversation with a Canadian bilingual Catholic sister who is a sort of informal tour guide at the church.
AlteCocker quickly realized, after a couple of hours, that there was no way to do everything in a day. Utah Beach was skipped because her goal was to see Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc, the D-Day Memorial Sculpture called "Les Braves" that is actually at the water's edge at Omaha Beach, and taps at the American Cemetery to end the day. Taps got skipped due to the fact that everyone seems to end up there at the end of the day and there was an immense traffic jam. AlteCocker threw in the towel at that point and directed the GPS to take her back to Bain-de-Bretagne. She had actually been to the American Cemetery once before many years ago (but not to taps). Due to lack of time, she did not visit the non American beaches to the East of Omaha. That would have taken another full day. There are tons of museums dealing with the history of their particular area. Aside from the Caen Memorial (the "must see" museum, which is huge) and the museum at St. Mere Eglise, AlteCocker skipped others on the way (except for the small exhibit at Point du Hoc). There was no time.
A word about the traffic along the beaches: It was awful during AlteCocker's visit and it is generally that way all summer, so realize that you will have to be patient if you are there during the "season" (June-end of August) when everyone in Europe seems to be on vacation all at once.
Along the route there are banners with photographs of soldiers who died in the invasion. Each is different and the moved me to tears. Point du Hoc is incredible. How the Rangers climbed the cliffs there, well, it looked well nigh impossible to AlteCocker. What a feat! You will se 48 star American flags all over Normandy, a memorial to the American flag as it looked during World War II. Memorial parades are held all over Normandie annually in towns that were liberated by the Allies to memorialize their liberation. Unfortunately, the only one around Bain-de-Bretagne occurred on the day AlteCocker drove to Nantes to drop her exchangers off at the airport, so she missed that. They often include a lot of old military vehicles and people in old uniforms, etc.
On Day 2 of her journey AlteCocker drove south and began her visit in St. Mere Eglise to see the Airborne Museum and the famous church where the parachutist played dead for hours in the steeple; the museum and church are adjacent. AlteCocker went first to the Church, which has been rebuilt; a dummy parachutist hangs from the steeple. Inside one of the stained glass windows shows parachutists descending from the sky to help. AlteCocker had an interesting conversation with a Canadian bilingual Catholic sister who is a sort of informal tour guide at the church.
AlteCocker quickly realized, after a couple of hours, that there was no way to do everything in a day. Utah Beach was skipped because her goal was to see Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc, the D-Day Memorial Sculpture called "Les Braves" that is actually at the water's edge at Omaha Beach, and taps at the American Cemetery to end the day. Taps got skipped due to the fact that everyone seems to end up there at the end of the day and there was an immense traffic jam. AlteCocker threw in the towel at that point and directed the GPS to take her back to Bain-de-Bretagne. She had actually been to the American Cemetery once before many years ago (but not to taps). Due to lack of time, she did not visit the non American beaches to the East of Omaha. That would have taken another full day. There are tons of museums dealing with the history of their particular area. Aside from the Caen Memorial (the "must see" museum, which is huge) and the museum at St. Mere Eglise, AlteCocker skipped others on the way (except for the small exhibit at Point du Hoc). There was no time.
A word about the traffic along the beaches: It was awful during AlteCocker's visit and it is generally that way all summer, so realize that you will have to be patient if you are there during the "season" (June-end of August) when everyone in Europe seems to be on vacation all at once.
Along the route there are banners with photographs of soldiers who died in the invasion. Each is different and the moved me to tears. Point du Hoc is incredible. How the Rangers climbed the cliffs there, well, it looked well nigh impossible to AlteCocker. What a feat! You will se 48 star American flags all over Normandy, a memorial to the American flag as it looked during World War II. Memorial parades are held all over Normandie annually in towns that were liberated by the Allies to memorialize their liberation. Unfortunately, the only one around Bain-de-Bretagne occurred on the day AlteCocker drove to Nantes to drop her exchangers off at the airport, so she missed that. They often include a lot of old military vehicles and people in old uniforms, etc.
August 8, 2019: Chateau de Fougeres
Having knocked off the main things AlteCocker wanted to see, it was time to see some sites closer to home. So she went to her second Brittany fortress (first one was in Nantes, remember?). She went to Fougeres. This is not a must see site, but intersting to see if you are in the neighborhood. While families enjoyed climbing the walls, AlteCocker, with more limited mobility and eyeing the stairs and not so great handrails, passed. When you are an AlteCocker and have any doubt, you pass and content yourself with a more limited visit.
After visiting the chateau, AlteCocker turned the car towards the top of the hill overlooking the town of Fougeres and found a craft shop where she bought some handmade leather change purses and animals. She also went in the gardens and got great shots looking down on the chateau. The place was a bit difficult to find but the photos were worth the trouble.
After visiting the chateau, AlteCocker turned the car towards the top of the hill overlooking the town of Fougeres and found a craft shop where she bought some handmade leather change purses and animals. She also went in the gardens and got great shots looking down on the chateau. The place was a bit difficult to find but the photos were worth the trouble.
August 9, 2019: Megaliths at St. Just
It was a rainy day, so AlteCocker headed for nearby St. Just to see some local megaliths. The visit to the stones was coupled with a visit to a small museum. Not the most exciting of days but parking in St. Just was ample and free.
August 10, 2019: Guipry & Etincelles Aquatiques Martigne
Today began with a ride over to Guipry-Messac located where the Vilaine River joins the Breton Canal. What AlteCocker wanted was to take a boat ride on the canal, but there was nothing doing so she drove home.
The big event, The Etincelles Aquatiques in Martigne, was in the evening (website is linked but only in French). This is a local event held every year for a week. AlteCocker's exchangers had left information about the event for AlteCocker and she had been advised to book ahead--which she did. It was really not necessary to book ahead, however, as you could just show up. Be careful that you book on a night when the weather is good, as the show is outside.
Arriving at the event well in advance, AlteCocker asked if she could park in handicapped and they kindly let her do so. Then she went to the food stalls and ordered a sausage wrapped in a gallette and a glass of cider. Major faux pas here as Bretons drink their cider in little boules (oversized coffee cups with handles), not glasses. She figured it out for the next time. She also bought a souvenir t-shirt to contribute to the local economy. Did AlteCocker tell you she has a weakness for t-shirts on trips? They make great conversation pieces as people ask about them and AlteCocker gets to brag about her trip. In fact, AlteCocker calls them "brag shirts", not t-shirts.
When the sun goes down the show begins. It was losely based on Breton legends and has a cast of 100s from the area (including lots of kids poking one another with hats that fell off occasionally--very cute). The fireworks and light show was on a local lake. This is a more local event than the sound and light shows in the Loire, as tourists in the area are few and far between. It is a major fundraiser for the town of Martigne. Now, here we have a funny. The announcer for the event, a doctor for the town, found out someone was there from the Washington, DC. He announced my presence 5 times. AlteCocker did meet him and it became a sort of joke. She would recommend this event to you only if you are in the area and speak at least some French. The plot for the show is very "loose" and you could enjoy it without French, but knowing at least some French is a plus. AlteCocker had a fine time, but getting out of the crowded parking and driving back to Bain-de-Bretagne in the pitch dark was not her favorite drive of the trip. At one point she pulled over to let cars pass.
The big event, The Etincelles Aquatiques in Martigne, was in the evening (website is linked but only in French). This is a local event held every year for a week. AlteCocker's exchangers had left information about the event for AlteCocker and she had been advised to book ahead--which she did. It was really not necessary to book ahead, however, as you could just show up. Be careful that you book on a night when the weather is good, as the show is outside.
Arriving at the event well in advance, AlteCocker asked if she could park in handicapped and they kindly let her do so. Then she went to the food stalls and ordered a sausage wrapped in a gallette and a glass of cider. Major faux pas here as Bretons drink their cider in little boules (oversized coffee cups with handles), not glasses. She figured it out for the next time. She also bought a souvenir t-shirt to contribute to the local economy. Did AlteCocker tell you she has a weakness for t-shirts on trips? They make great conversation pieces as people ask about them and AlteCocker gets to brag about her trip. In fact, AlteCocker calls them "brag shirts", not t-shirts.
When the sun goes down the show begins. It was losely based on Breton legends and has a cast of 100s from the area (including lots of kids poking one another with hats that fell off occasionally--very cute). The fireworks and light show was on a local lake. This is a more local event than the sound and light shows in the Loire, as tourists in the area are few and far between. It is a major fundraiser for the town of Martigne. Now, here we have a funny. The announcer for the event, a doctor for the town, found out someone was there from the Washington, DC. He announced my presence 5 times. AlteCocker did meet him and it became a sort of joke. She would recommend this event to you only if you are in the area and speak at least some French. The plot for the show is very "loose" and you could enjoy it without French, but knowing at least some French is a plus. AlteCocker had a fine time, but getting out of the crowded parking and driving back to Bain-de-Bretagne in the pitch dark was not her favorite drive of the trip. At one point she pulled over to let cars pass.
August 11, 2019: Local Craft Market at Sion
After the exhausting ride home from the fireworks on the previous evening, AlteCocker visited a local craft fair at a neighboring town. These often include a set price meal you can buy, but, alas, AlteCocker arrived too late for the full meal and just had a snack. The craft stands were, well, not much of anything, and AlteCocker bought nothing. Still it was interesting to walk around.
One of the advantages of a home exchange is that good exchangers leave you with a lot of information aboutlocal events--which is very important in rural areas where not a lot of things may be going on in the town where you are situated. AlteCocker's exchangers left very extensive information--as did AlteCocker back at her place in Virginia.
One of the advantages of a home exchange is that good exchangers leave you with a lot of information aboutlocal events--which is very important in rural areas where not a lot of things may be going on in the town where you are situated. AlteCocker's exchangers left very extensive information--as did AlteCocker back at her place in Virginia.
August 12, 2019: ChateauBriand's Home in Combourg
Francois-Auguste-Renee de Chateaubriand, the famous French 19th century romantic writer had his chateau near where AlteCocker was staying, in the town of Combourg, so it was time for an expedition to see it. The chateau is located high up overlooking a lake. Chateaubriand, unlike many writers, was very rich. His family owned the town--and, in fact, much of the region. Now there is a hotel overlooking the lake and, after finding a parking space on the street, AlteCocker had a very nice meal at the restaurant at Hotel Restaurant du Lac.
After lunch it was onward to see the chateau. You need to take an escorted tour. There is no need to make a reservation. AlteCocker cannot to be an expert on the writings of Chateaubriand, but the tour was very interesting. We climbed up in the tower where the writer's bedroom was when he was a child. After the tour, AlteCocker took a horse buggy ride of the grounds and around the chateau. No money was spent on souvenirs in the gift shop, but AlteCocker did have a snack before heading back to Bain-de-Bretagne.
After lunch it was onward to see the chateau. You need to take an escorted tour. There is no need to make a reservation. AlteCocker cannot to be an expert on the writings of Chateaubriand, but the tour was very interesting. We climbed up in the tower where the writer's bedroom was when he was a child. After the tour, AlteCocker took a horse buggy ride of the grounds and around the chateau. No money was spent on souvenirs in the gift shop, but AlteCocker did have a snack before heading back to Bain-de-Bretagne.
August 13, 2019: Musee de Beaux Arts; Jazz in Guipry
It was time to explore Rennes a bit. After a pizza lunch and figuring out the pay parking (always a challenge when traveling), AlteCocker went to the Musee des Beaux Arts. The most famous painting there is, "The Newborn" by Georges de la Tour. Not exactly the Louvre, but then there were no crowds.
After the museum, AlteCocker headed back to Bain-de Bretagne. In the evening she headed back to Guipry where there was a local outdoor festival with jazz. AlteCocker had a meal, listened to the music and met the guy, in period costume, who operated the lock.
After the museum, AlteCocker headed back to Bain-de Bretagne. In the evening she headed back to Guipry where there was a local outdoor festival with jazz. AlteCocker had a meal, listened to the music and met the guy, in period costume, who operated the lock.
August 14, 2019: Lunch in Rennes
Some days you just strike out. AlteCocker wanted to see the Parlement of Rennes, the most historic building in the town, but they were totally booked up for the tour, so AlteCocker had lunch and booked a tour for the following day. This is the one time AlteCocker should have booked ahead, but a French lunch is always a good altenative.
August 15, 2019: Tour of PARLEment Building Rennes
It was a holiday and Rennes was full. All the Catholic countries in Europe celebrate the ascenion of the Virgin into heaven on August 15th. It is an excuse for an extra holiday even if few people in France are devout Catholics anymore.
August 16, 2019: Canal Boat Cruise out of Guipry
The home exchangers left AlteCocker that list of local events, and, from that list she had learned of various local events. She learned that Guipry would be offering a canal boat ride on this date, so she hustled off to Giphry again for the ride on the canal and the Vilaine. Note: If you are planning to do this, check with information in Guipry or Redon. The canal boat people do not answer their phone. AlteCocker did leave a message and they never returned the call. Without the information from her home exchangers, there is no way AlteCocker would have been able to do this.
August 17, 2019: VItre
AlteCocker was reaching the point of her Brittany holiday where she was beginning to get a bit fatigued from all the driving. Vitre, the site of another medieval fortification, turned out to be a longer ride that expected. You get a ticket to a tower in the chateau with different rooms and items at each level. Once again, not a deluxe Loire chateau, but interesting nevertheless--and another opportunity to hear about Anne of Brittany's marriages. Parking was adjacent to the chateau.
Arriving back in Bain-de-Bretagne, AlteCocker took a photo of the local mill (despite listing open hours, she never saw it open). She had dinner at a restaurant that basically served concoctions with cheese and potatoes in a gratinee (melted cheese poured over the top). It is the kind of hearty food that AlteCocker has heard about served in the Alps, but, since AlteCocker had never eaten it, she had to try it.
Arriving back in Bain-de-Bretagne, AlteCocker took a photo of the local mill (despite listing open hours, she never saw it open). She had dinner at a restaurant that basically served concoctions with cheese and potatoes in a gratinee (melted cheese poured over the top). It is the kind of hearty food that AlteCocker has heard about served in the Alps, but, since AlteCocker had never eaten it, she had to try it.
August 18, 2019: St. Malo
There was time for one last expedition before the home exchange ended. That one was to St. Malo on the Normandy-Brittany border From there AlteCocker would take a hydrofoil to the Isle of Jersey for a day of exploration. AlteCocker had made this journey in 1993 with three children in tow. Please note that it is far better to book ahead, as you can get lower rates on the ferry, but, AlteCocker, who tends to not plan a lot of these overnights much in advance didn't do this. She did book the hotel ahead (outside the St. Malo walls to save money). She booked the ferry the day before.
The close in parking at St. Malo is mobbed. Unless you arrive early in the morning, it will be very difficult to find a spot. There is a huge parking spot maintained by the town well outside the walls (charge). It is best to park there and take the shuttle bus in to the Old Townn area where the medieval city is. and you don't have to worry about difficult parking. AlteCocker spent the day poking a out the Old Twon, eating an enormous ice cream (which she could not finish!), looking for the very difficult to find hotel annd figuring out how she would get to the hydrofoil (and parking in the morning). The hotel finding took a long time.
A highlight of her visit to St. Malo had to be the altarpiece in the cahtedral. It is dedicated to the four evangelists and it totally in a modern style that appears to owe something to Picasso. AlteCocker had never seen anything like it. A local priest helped her understand what was going on.
The close in parking at St. Malo is mobbed. Unless you arrive early in the morning, it will be very difficult to find a spot. There is a huge parking spot maintained by the town well outside the walls (charge). It is best to park there and take the shuttle bus in to the Old Townn area where the medieval city is. and you don't have to worry about difficult parking. AlteCocker spent the day poking a out the Old Twon, eating an enormous ice cream (which she could not finish!), looking for the very difficult to find hotel annd figuring out how she would get to the hydrofoil (and parking in the morning). The hotel finding took a long time.
A highlight of her visit to St. Malo had to be the altarpiece in the cahtedral. It is dedicated to the four evangelists and it totally in a modern style that appears to owe something to Picasso. AlteCocker had never seen anything like it. A local priest helped her understand what was going on.
August 19, 2019: Isle of JErsey, Channel Islands
After settling in for 2 nights into the well hidden hotel, the goal for the next day was to park and take the hydrofoil to the Isle of Jersey in the Channel Islands. The Isle of Jersel, by the way, has nothing to do with the state of New Jersey except for its name. Leaving in plenty of time to make mistakes, that mission was accomplished. The Channel Islands belong to the UK, use British money, but have their own currency. AlteCocker brought along a few pound coins she possessed and discovered they had been discontinued. Fortunately, there was a Lloyd's Bank that switched the money at now charge. Note: If you are exchanging money in Jersey, you will generally get Jersey notes which cannot be used in the UK. Ask for standard currency and/or just use your credit card.
When AlteCocker had gone on the hydrofoil before, in 1993, she had had 3 kids with her. Due to bus schedules, the excursion ended on a day on the beach for the kids and almost no sightseeing was done. Nothing looked at all familiar when she landed. When enough time goes by, nothing does.
AlteCocker took 2 bus tours. In the morning, she took a tour of the southern half of the island. In the afternoon she took another bus to the Underground Hospital built and used by the Germans during World War II. The Germans occupied Jersey early in the war. Unlike places like France, where people could hide, there was very little resistance. Jersians hated the Germans but there was no place to go and few places to hide. Anyone resisting would have been quickly found and shot. To add insult to injury, the Channel Islands were not liberated until after V-Day.
Insofar as bus tours are concerned, you cannot do the full island tour and the Underground Hospital in the same day. Since AlteCocker was staying only for one day and taking the hydrofoil back in the evening, she chose the half day tour combined with the Hospital Museum. All tours leave from in and around the bus terminal in St. Hilaire, the capital of Jersey.
AlteCocker did not make a pilgrimage to the Gerald Durrell Conservation Trust/Zoo although she was a great fan of the TV series.
August 20, 2019: Dinan
With St. Malo and Jersey behind her, AlteCocker was done with her side trip and ready to head back to Bain-de-Bretagne. First, however, she made a diversion to the small walled city of Dinan. The main attraction there was a tower. AlteCocker had lunch and viewed the tower from down below. Then she took a small walk around, bought a traditional Breton shirt because she was cold, and headed back to find her car, buying a small print of the tower to get change for the parking meter. As is true all over Europe, American credit cards do not work in automatic machines. And so, AlteCocker ended up with another picture she needed like a hole in the head, but she got the car out of the lot and headed for home.
Dinan was the only place AlteCocker saw a man playing a traditional Breton instrument, a hurdy gurdy. This instrument is also common in Quebec, as many of the people who settled Quebec actually were fisherman from Brittany--accounting for the French dialect there that is difficult for even native French speakers to understand.
Dinan was the only place AlteCocker saw a man playing a traditional Breton instrument, a hurdy gurdy. This instrument is also common in Quebec, as many of the people who settled Quebec actually were fisherman from Brittany--accounting for the French dialect there that is difficult for even native French speakers to understand.
August 21, 2019: Lunch in Guipry, Parc du Thabor
AlteCocker was determined to go back to Guipry and eat at this restaurant, La Minoterie, overlooking the canal and Vilaine River. As luck would have it, it was closed for vacation. She should have checked. She ate instead at a nearby brasserie and listened to the woes of some people on a rented canal boat whose electric engine had broken down. They were waiting for a repairman. Not a fun way to vacation. After eating, she then went back into Rennes to park and see Parc Thabor. Parking was very difficult and deep. Not much fun to extricate the manual car afterward!
August 22-23, 2019: Finis in Nancy
All good home exchanges must come to an end. And so on August 22nd AlteCocker booked herself into an Ibis Hotel about 3 km from the Nantes Airport to position herself for her flight to London the next morning. She relaxed at the hotel rather than see anything else at Nantes and had dinner there in the restaurant, which was actually quite satisfactory.
Drop off of the car had been arranged at the airport and was accomplished. The it was time to go to London. The blog for London is here.
Drop off of the car had been arranged at the airport and was accomplished. The it was time to go to London. The blog for London is here.