Beside the seaside...

We had a really excellent walk yesterday across the flat lands of the polders to a beautiful beach for a picnic lunch stop. Then we strolled right along the sand to Ste-Marine, passing the point with its guard-house and fort. Afrer a well-deserved liquid refreshment stop on a terrace overlooking the estuary and Benodet across the water, we followed thankfully shady paths back across pretty countryside to the cars. Tex and Allie both worthy top-dogs! Thanks to everyone (and thanks to Charlie for the photo).

Wednesday Walk - 30th May

Just for a change we have a Wednesday walk on May 30th, on an easy almost level route, starting at 11.30 in the commune of Combrit, south Finistere. We'll be walking down to the sea across the reclaimed land of the polders and having our picnic lunches (please bring your own) on a beautiful beach. In the afternoon we'll visit the delightful little waterside village of Ste-Marine, making a long stop for refreshments, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, etc. It really is a very special setting at the mouth of the Odet estuary with views out to the Iles Glenan.
Then a stroll back to the meeting point, which is a car-park just off the D44 near Benodet. Coming from the north or east, take the D44 (direction Pont l'Abbé) past Benodet and about 1.5km over the Pont de Cornouaille, turn left, signed Kermor, and the car-park is immediately on the right.

Recommended walk

Take the corniche road (D64) east from Locquirec and soon after the bridge Pont de Toul an Hery across the Douron estuary, you can find the exquisite Chapelle of Sainte-Barbe on the right, tucked away in a corner of beautiful old houses. Park here and follow the coast path all the way around the many promontories of the Pointe d'Armorique. The early part is easy going and includes the Roman baths of Hogolo (pictured) right by the beach. Later the path is more undulating and demanding, but the views are magnificent. 9km will take you right round the peninsula and back across the base via tracks and small roads.

Spring heaven

We had a lovely walk today in fine spring weather and through luscious spring countryside along the Aulne valley. There was a tremendous variety of landscape even on this fairly short route, with a Green Way (former railway), flower-lined farm tracks and riverside paths, plus a handsome old bridge. Great weather, great views and great company.

Walk on Tuesday 15th May

We have a walk at Locmaria Berrien Gare on Tuesday, starting at 2pm. Park on the main road (Huelgoat to Poullaouen D769) somewhere near the bar which is roughly opposite the old railway station, now situated on a Green Way. This is a fairly short walk (about 6km) with some beautiful scenery along the Aulne river.

Cornish interlude

BWs has been in Cornwall exploring the Saints Way walking trail in relation to a new project coming soon in Brittany. The path runs from Padstow to Fowey, suggesting a route that Dark Age saints may have used in their journeys from Wales and Ireland to Brittany, thereby avoiding the rough seas around Lands End. Highlights of the route include the lonely height of Helman Tor, shown below. There was also time to visit the Tristan stone (photo above), a well-known 'document' for the early history of both Cornwall and Brittany, with its reference to Conomor. The combination of historical interest, impressive landscapes and beautiful Cornish lanes ripe with spring flowers showed off the Saints Way to full advantage.

Mud, glorious mud ...

Despite setting off in the rain, the weather soon turned dry and even sunny for most of the way. There was plenty of mud about after the Sunday deluge, but that didn't detract from a walk with various beautiful paths and stunning views of the Monts d'Arrée. Two of the four dogs with us had a great time in any wet place they could find and much preferred fords to the old slab bridges at the side, which we were glad to use. Warm welcome back to their owners, Howard and Gloria!