Last post from France

Now that it's officially spring, we got better weather. Just scattered showers as we explored the southern coast of Brittany. We went to Concarneau, Pont-Aven, and Quimperle'. The guide book said we had to try Belon oysters, which we had for a lunch entree. I'm not a big fan of oysters, but these had a nutty flavor that was lots better than what I expect from oysters.

This trimaran at Concarneau was really beautiful. However, the reason I wanted a picture of it is the name, Veolia. They are a company in Norway that takes our company's waste! They've changed names now, but seeing the name in France caught my attention. It turns out that they are a multi-national company from Paris. Wouldn't it be fun if some of our waste is recycled into this boat?

Blue shutters are a sign of the area

Thursday morning we went to the market in Locmine', and when we re-joined after exploring it, we had a respectable collection of food to munch as we went on our way - bread, cheese, and sausage!

Josselin tries hard to be picturesque - and succeeds

Chateau de Josselin

The chateau wasn't open to visitors, but Shirley and I charmed our way into the gardens!

Shirley and Calla on the bench, Tom in his hat from the market and John behind.

The next adventure was when our two cars got split up. John, Tom and I went to Ploërmel in one car, with the objective of carved wooden beams on a maisson near the tourist office. We waited 45 minutes for Calla and Shirley's car. We three had three phones, and those two had zero phones. Well, the carvings were cool!

That evening, we went out to eat at La Tourelle in Melrand. What delicious food! I gained 2 pounds on this trip. We had great conversations with Steve and Sue at dinner. Ed would have absolutely been in heaven. He would have loved talking to them, and he would have loved traveling with Tom and Shirley.

Friday, the last whole day of the trip, we made a return trip to Pontivy to see if we could get into Chateau de Rohan. Of course it was closed. But they promised it would open after lunch! It did indeed. It was jam-packed with school kids looking at exhibits, yet had nothing special to see as far as we were concerned. Oh well.

On the way home, we found another chapel and fountain in the woods. There are chapels with nearby fountains everywhere! We went back to Melrand and explored the Chapel and Tumulus of St. Facre, the patron saint of eczema and psoriasis. Well, I can't find anything about him in Google, but that's what my notes said the sign said.

Not sure which chapel this one is

Fountains all look like this, set down low with running water, and a place for an icon at the back.

Buying gas in Melrand - pull up on the curb and the proprietor runs out and pumps it.

Our last lovely Breton dinner, Tom baked meats covered in beer and herb bundles, with sauerkraut. Apple cider of all different sweetness levels is the special drink of the area.

Saturday was time to pack up and move out. Midday was lunch in Rennes, where we dropped off Tom and Shirley, as well as John's car. Tom and Shirley had another week of fun ahead, while Calla, John and I headed back to the airport. The closer we got to Paris, the hazier the air got. That just proves that rain cleans the air, I guess. It was a wonderful trip, and I'm so glad they invited me to join them.