Lesley's Nature Watch - Love is in the Air...

...quite literally as I witnessed this week when a pair of Goldfinches flew vertically up from a gorse bush, beak to beak & breast to breast. This image was made more bizarre by the fact that one of the birds was holding a twig in his beak. I then noticed that Magpies, Crows & Rooks everywhere are flying around with twigs in their beaks.
I just had to go to Cap Frehel, one of my favorits 'birding' spots. Already the Guillemots have started to gather, the first Kittiwakes are mewing & the Shags are nesting...see photo. Brittany is the most southerly nesting place for Guillemots & Razorbills & also boasts France's largest nesting colony, at Sept Isles, of Gannets.

Visit to Rennes in April

Our postponed visit to Rennes will take place on Tuesday April 12. There will be a guided tour in the morning and free time to enjoy the many shops, bars, churches, museums and interesting sights in the afternoon. We will be meeting at 10.30am near the cathedral. Cost 6€.

Further details will be provided nearer the time. If anyone wants hotel recommendations for going up the day before, please email brittanywalks@orange.fr Also let me know if you can offer a seat in your car or want a lift so we can try to car-share.

Rennes is a very vibrant, exciting place to visit!

Not a washout!

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chris and Barry on the remarkable, unprecedented achievement of arriving FIRST at the meeting point - sorry, on their 42nd wedding anniversary today. Felicitations!!!

We had a very pleasant walk in attractive scenery, mostly in good weather, including spring sunshine, tempered only by a burst of rain after the turning point where we crossed the lock over the canal. Best behaved dog prize goes to Harry ;-) Best behaved photographer - definitely Dave (thanks, mate).

Walk at Pont Triffen, Tuesday 15th February

The walk starts at 2pm from the parking by the bridge at Pont Triffen (direct exit from N164, near Landeleau). This is a fairly level and easy walk, outward on a newly developed stretch of former railway track, followed by a lock crossing over the River Aulne, and return along the canal towpath. Look forward to seeing you there!

Lesley's Nature Watch - Promises of Things to Come

These Daffodils have been in flower in my garden for 3 weeks, but they are the exception. I have hundreds more that are only a few inches high with tight buds. However, the signs of the approach of Spring are all around: The Catkins have dropped on the Hazel trees. The aparently naked branches on the winter trees are, on closer inspection, covered with tiny buds, some already showing green. A few weeks ago, the only birdsong was the bitter-sweet tune of a lonely Robin somewhere. Now he is joined by joyous sounds of chirpy Great Tits, melodious Blackbirds & many more. Last week I saw my first Celandine of the year.

Yes, Spring is still a distance away but, as with walking in Brittany, every step of the journey is as delightful as the final arrival.

Coastal Walking Holiday June 2011

We have our annual coastal walking holiday from 14-17th June. The location is the Gulf of Morbihan, where we will spend three nights. In addition to walking on the coastal path around the Gulf, we shall also spend a day on the Ile d'Arz. The walking level is easy, and total cost of accommodation (chalet, shared rooms) and meals will be about 150€ per person.
Please declare interest asap, places are limited, and some bookings are already in.

Tuesday January 25th How to read a Breton Church

We have a day of visiting churches on Tuesday 25th. This is the follow-up to our course How to read a Breton Church, but is open to anyone (4€, free to course members). Meet at Pleyben in salon du thé in bakery in SE corner of market square at 10.15 for coffee, depart 10.30.
Transport will be in own cars (sharing if possible), and we'll be visting several locations, with a lunch-stop, probably at Sizun. Some of us are going to eat out, but you can bring a packed lunch if preferred. Finish about 4pm.

The purpose is to identify characteristic arrangements, themes and symbols in church architecture and decoration, so that this knowledge can be applied in your own visits all over Brittany. PLEASE BRING PRINTED SHEETS FROM COURSE IF YOU CAN!