Best wishes for 2015

Happy New Year to all Brittany Walkers! Looking forward to many new outings in 2015.

Fun walk

Looking at goats in Huelgoat

We had a most convivial festive walk in the forest today. It was rainy when we set off but the amazing beauty of the surroundings made us oblivious to that - or maybe it was the generous portions of mulled wine consumed at L'Autre Rive (thank you, Jacqueline) which made the difference. Rain stopped for our return via the Mare aux sangliers (photo), up the Argent valley and past the Chaos, with Steve and Claude demonstrating how to make a very large rock tremble... But the greatest physical feat came from Dog of the Day, Nell. Thanks to everyone - that really was a fun walk, even without the great disappearing key mystery.

Boxing Day Walk

Join us for the usual Boxing Day stroll in Huelgoat today, starting at 2pm from Intermarché parking area. This ramble around the beautiful forest with a buy-your-own stop at a bar/café on the way is a free event, a chance to get outside and enjoy some very special scenery with nice people...

HAPPY YULE & 2015 to all Brittany Walkers

Thanks once to again to everyone for a very successful year of Brittany Walks, with a large majority of events covering new routes and historical sites. Devising different and interesting programmes involves a lot of work, but the great support from you all makes it very worthwhile. As a gesture of thanks, the Boxing Day walk in Huelgoat, which normally has a reduced tariff, will actually be FREE this year. See Programme for details.
BWs wishes you all a Happy Yule, Christmas and New Year.

Winter walk

We had a very enjoyable walk in the countryside around Callac yesterday, despite a bit of rain on the return. Thanks to all who came and to Dog of the Day - Pasha the Dasha!

Pasha in the lake (photo by Steve)

Callac walk - Wednesday, December 10th

We have a beautiful country walk at Callac for our first December event. Meet in parking area by the mairie (and famous horse sculpture) at 2pm for an 8.5km rural circuit including lakeside tracks and hill views. One gradual climb, otherwise an easy-going route.
RESERVATIONS please to brittanywalks@orange.fr

A walk of two halves...

We had a good walk around Carhaix yesterday, despite light rain in the second half, and saw many of the relatively small details that reflect the town's interesting past, including part of a Roman aqueduct and a 1913 steam-train. Thanks to everyone who came along.

Carhaix - Monday November 17th

We meet in the parking by the Eglise St Tremeur (near Noz Vad hotel) for a 2pm start. This town walk (with commentary) will look at the chequered history of Carhaix through the ages. Total distance less than 4km.
Please remember to book for this event by sending an email to brittanywalks@orange.fr

Some of Judith's photos from our trip

Proof Judith climbed the highest tower at Fougères castle

Vitré

Oldest houses in Brittany? Dol-de-Bretagne

Rain and sunshine - such is life

We began today's walk in heavy drizzle and ended in golden sunshine, with plenty of enjoyable bits in between, including a look (but no tea) at Don's millhouse. Greatest excitement was a Brittany Walks first - DOG LOCKS KEYS IN CAR. For that reason alone Pebble - who also locked herself in and never made the walk - is Dog of the Day, although Alan might not agree she deserves it....

Walk on Wednesday 15th October

Our walk this week starts at 2pm from the Chapelle Ste-Marguerite on the D17 a few kilometres south of Plouyé (direction Landeleau/Collorec). There is a large car-park at the chapel.
The route of 7.5kms passes through pleasant countryside of woods and streams, using hard-surfaced or grassy tracks and quiet roads, with no sudden or significant changes of gradient. Boots essential as ground will be wet. Reservations in advance please, to brittanywalks@orange.fr

Next Monday (20th): STUDY DAY at Huelgoat. Saints, sinners, warriors and weirdos - interesting people in Brittany's history (see www.brittanywalks.com).

Photos of our trip from Chris and Barry

Chateau de Combourg

Underground vault in the Foret des Fougères

Vitré

Our accommodation - gites near Combourg

Menhir de Champ Dolent

Walking in the Foret de Fougères

Joan's views of the Chateau de Fougères

Fab trip!

We had an excellent time in eastern Brittany on our four-day break. We visited Combourg, Fougères, Vitré and Dol-de-Bretagne amongst other places, and saw castles, megaliths, the oldest houses in Brittany and a lot of beautiful scenery. Photos from participants to follow in future posts.

Autumn break

Chateau de Combourg

Next week we have our four-day trip to eastern Brittany. We are staying at beautiful gites near Combourg and visiting the famous chateau in the town where the writer Chateaubriand (his cook at the London embassy in the 1820s produced the steak of that name) passed his formative years. Our other excursions will be to Fougères, which has one of the best castles in Europe, the cathedral at Dol-de-Bretagne, megalithic sites and places significant in Brittany's history. There will also be an option to visit Mont-St-Michel. Looking forward to it!

Queffleuth walk

Crossing the ancient slab bridge on the Queffleuth

Great turn-out and lovely weather today for our nature walk in the Queffleuth valley. Dog of the Day was new-comer Bandit, who was admirably unobtrusive throughout. Thanks to all for company and quiz participation ;-)

Walk on Wednesday, 17th September

Our next walk is on Wednesday, 17 September, near Pleyber-Christ. It is a 5km nature walk around the Queffleuth valley, generally straightforward, with one steep climb (taken at slow pace and pause for breath at top!). The scenery throughout is very attractive.
Meeting place is at Le Pléen, on the D769 about half-way between Berrien and Morlaix. Here take the turning to Pleyber-Christ (next to a large sign for the Creperie les Fougères), and park in lay-by almost immediately on the right. The walk starts promptly at 2pm. Booking in advance please - brittanywalks@orange.fr

Autumn Programme

We have a few events coming up for autumn. Our September (17th) walk is a short nature circuit in a river valley near Pleyber-Christ. In October there's another walk (15th - venue to be announced) and a Study Day (20th) on the subject of Saints, Sinners, Warriors and Weirdos: interesting people in Brittany's history. November's outing (17th) is a guided/inter-active visit/walk around Carhaix.
Our four day break to eastern Brittany in early October is fully booked, but places for all other events can be reserved at any time - please remember to book in advance. More details can be found on our website www.brittanywalks.com. Please email any queries to brittanywalks@orange.fr

More from our walk

Thanks to Chris and Barry!

The Luck of BWs strikes again

Despite a short delay in starting because of heavy showers, we had a rainfree walk of 16kms all around Lac St-Michel, with a very windy lunch-break beside the water. Eighteen people and five dogs altogether made the tour and many stayed for tea and coffee in the Ferme d'Antea (Ferme des Artisans) afterwards. It was a great day - thanks to everyone for coming along and providing such good company. Dog of the day: Brian.

To those who have booked for Monday's walk: don't forget your packed lunch and maybe something to sit on in case of no available picnic tables and wet grass. Some of the tracks over the marshes may be quite muddy in places after recent rains. WALKING BOOTS ADVISED. Let's hope for a bit of sunshine to enjoy the wonderful views all around.

Monday August 11th - Monts d'Arrée walk

On Monday August 11th we have a walk right around Lac St-Michel in the Monts d'Arrée, an almost flat route of just over 16kms with spectacular views of the highest hills in Brittany. We start from the Ferme des Artisans (now called Ferme d'Anthea) on the D785 near Mont-St-Michel-de-Brasparts at 10.45. There is also the option of doing half the walk, morning or afternoon only, with a lift back to your car. We will have a lunch break (bring your own picnic) near the barrage at Nestavel (signed from Brennilis) from about 12.45-1.45.
See website www.brittanywalks.com for full details and please remember to BOOK IN ADVANCE.

Fully booked - autumn break

This short break is now fully booked.  If you want to add your name to a reserve list just in case, please let us know. Thanks to all who have sent their deposit payments. Further details will follow before too long.

Autumn break

Combourg

BWs is organising a 3 night break to eastern Brittany in early October. We'll stay at a beautiful gite complex in Combourg, and visits will include the Chateau of Combourg, the historic town of Fougères with one of the best castles in Europe, the cathedral and famous menhir of Dol-de-Bretagne, and Mont St-Michel. We'll also do some walking.... Regulars will be sent details soon. Anyone else interested should contact Brittany Walks by email: brittanywalks@orange.fr

Paper, glue and the saint on a stag

We had a good visit in dry weather to the Maison du Recteur and two churches, related in legend, at Loqueffret and Lannédern. First stop was to look at evidence for the life and work of the pilhaourien or rag-and-bone men of the Monts d'Arrée. Then we were on the trail of Breton saints and later Catholic interlopers or rather, official saints. The parish close at Lannédern is a remarkable example of a typically Breton tradition. St Edern watched us from the back of his stag high up on the calvary.

Thanks to everyone. Next event is a walk (August 11th).

Visit - Tuesday 15th July

We meet at 2pm by the mairie in Loqueffret (D14 from Huelgoat) to encounter the extraordinary story of the rag-and-bone men of the Monts d'Arrée, including a visit to the Maison du Recteur. We then move on to the next village of Lannédern to see a fine example of that very Breton phenomenon, the Parish Close. Join us for a fun and informative outing. Reservations please - brittanywalks@orange.fr

Guided walk offered by the AFQP Association

Wednesday July 9, 3pm, Abbaye du Relec (Note time change - now 3pm)

The association AFQP are offering an 8km walk guided in English by Karine, looking at the landscape, flora and history of the Monts d'Arrée in a very beautiful spot. Don't miss this interesting event!

Reservations and information: 02 98 78 45 69 or afqp@free.fr

By the water

We had a very pleasant riverside stroll in Morlaix today, with beautiful sunshine, a few historical interludes, a very good joke from Roger and a welcome spell in the shade of the romantic grounds of the Chateau de Keranroux. Thanks to everyone!

June event - Morlaix, a new view

Monday, June 16th, 2pm. Meet under the viaduct in the centre of the town. Car-park adjacent.

This is a new perspective on Morlaix, concentrating on the river area and including one site of the famous English raid of 1522, an unusual poet connected with the town and a walk mostly along the waterside to visit the secret garden of a local chateau before retracing our steps. There will be an optional look at the former tobacco factory afterwards.
Total distance, less than 4km, mainly flat and on pavements except for visit to the grounds of the chateau, where walking is on tracks.

PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE FOR THIS EVENT (by email brittanywalks@orange.fr or telephone 06 04 43 00 50). Those who are on the mailing list can simply return the reminder email sent a week in advance to indicate their booking.

If you wish to be on the mailing list for future events, please email brittanywalks@orange.fr with Mailing list in the subject line.

And more, thanks Barry

More photos of our great day - thanks, Chris!

Party!

What a wonderful party to celebrate 10 years of Brittany Walks! It had everything: moody Brittany weather, beautiful countryside, fabulous food - the best in BWs' history - and most important of all, a happy gathering of supporters and very dear friends, including three of the original six walkers from 2004 - quite an achievement.
We met in the rain at the Valley of the Saints and had a damp stroll around the statues (yuk) and the old chapel (yeah) before moving on to Roger and Sue's lovely house and gardens. They were, as ever, the perfect hosts. Tea, a real savoury and sweet feast we all contributed to, including delicious sandwiches, scones and clotted cream, curry puffs, chicken bites, apple cake, mincemeat squares, homemade chocolates, a genuine far breton made by Monique's husband and much more, was eaten indoors, but then the sun came out and we were all able to get outside and enjoy the gardens, looking their very May best.

 It was an emotional occasion and I felt immense gratitude for such loyal friends, so much kindness and generosity. My present was fantastic but I shall value the card and all that was written there just as much. This is why Brittany Walks has proved a strong and enduring entity - the people who have shared the experience with me. Thank you everyone, for a memorable day.