Ten mad people ...

... went on a Boxing Day walk in pouring rain and got thorougly soaked, but remained smiling, especially after the mulled wine. (Photo by Chris)

Happy Christmas & 2013 to Brittany Walkers / Boxing Day walk

Wishing all BWs loyal supporters and web-followers a very happy festive season, with thanks for all the good walks shared in 2012, including a record number of new venues and outings.
On Boxing Day - Wednesday 26th December - we have a leisurely walk at Huelgoat - to work off all that over-eating and drinking perhaps - stopping for hot drinks at a café en route. Please meet in the Intermarché parking to start at 2pm.

Sea walking

Witnessed at St-Pol this morning - a group sea walking. Maybe this is a future event for Brittany Walks?

Sunny Brest

Amazingly good weather for our visit yesterday, with heavy showers neatly restricted to before and after. We visited the vast and very atmospheric post-war Church of St Louis amongst other places, looking at both sides of the River Penfeld and various aspects of the city's history.

Town walk in Brest - 11am, Tues 4 December

We have a town walk in Brest next Tuesday (4th), starting at 11am from the large parking area behind the Port de Commerce - SHOWN IN PHOTO ABOVE. Entering Brest from the east, (either N12 or N165), follow signs to the Ports and continue parallel with the sea behind the industrial port area. You will see the landmark of a great tower above a huge wall up ahead. Make for that - the parking is off the last roundabout on the flat (do not go uphill!) below it.
Brest has an extraordinary history and we will look at some of its most interesting features in a walking tour of about 1.5 hours. Just right for combining exercise with some Christmas shopping or a trip to IKEA. You could park at IKEA and get the tram into the centre, but you'll need to walk down to the commerical port from the Chateau tram-stop.  

For walkers who like to read

The Brittany Walks website (link opposite) has a new article on present suggestions for walkers who like to read. From the history of walking to jokes about crisps and from prehistoric sites to WWII battlefields, there's something for everyone.

Seeing the wild side of life...

Great walk today, under dramatic skies but with only a few raindrops near the beginning of our long ascent of the eastern Monts d'Arrée. As well as admiring stunning views on the top, we helped build a cairn and made the acquaintance of a new moorland resident. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Walk on Tues 13th

We have a walk at Le Relec on Tuesday 13th November, starting at 2pm from the fountain by the old abbey church. There is parking either in the square by the fountain or just beyond the abbey in a large car-park. Le Relec is on the D111 between Plouneour-Menez and Cloitre-St-Thegonnec - easy access from the D769 (Morlaix - Poullaouen road).
This is a route of about 10kms up from the beautiful Queffleuth valley onto the top of the Monts d'Arrée with great long views. Most of the paths are tracks but some parts will be muddy after bad weather and walking boots are strongly advised for this terrain. It is one of the best walks in the Armorican Regional Park.

History comes to an end...

Last session of the History of Brittany Made Simple course today and as usual it was a great time with a great group of people. Only sorry that Sheila, Liz and Judith were unable to be with us, but pleased that Don finally made it! Many thanks to everyone involved.
Anyone wanting to be kept informed about the new Brittany History group (meeting every month or so for a two hour session looking at a very specific event/person/topic and considering evidence of various kinds) should please send me their name and email address.

Thank you

Although we're only half way through the history course, just want to say thank you to all participants for what is proving a really fun event. The special atmosphere and friendliness of L'Autre Rive has also been a contributing factor, so thanks to them too. For those who don't know the place in the forest at Huelgoat, it's a café/bookshop in a rocky glade with a menu of tasty organic food (no kitchen, so simple dishes like soup, hot potatoes, savoury cakes) available at any time during the opening hours of 11am-9pm. Comfy sofas for browsing books, computers for surfing the internet, artwork and lots of events are all on offer.

Monday 15 October, Brittany: History Made Simple

The first part of the history of Brittany course takes place Monday 15 October, 2-4.30pm at L'Autre Rive café/bookshop in Huelgoat. This will be an overview of the whole thing, from megaliths to modern. The other sessions (Oct 22, 29, Nov 5) will look in more detail at important events and people.
Still a few places left - email brittanywalks@orange.fr.

Sunny Lannion

Lovely weather for walking today, and we enjoyed this scenic route on the edge of the centre of Lannion. The Leguer valley has many beautiful vistas as well as a variety of interesting buildings along the way. Tex was dog of the day, animated by his lunch of Roquefort and chips.

Lannion Walk, Tuesday 2 October, 2pm

Next Tuesday we are in Lannion. The afternoon walk starts at 2pm from the parking by the campsite on the Léguer river. From the centre of Lannion, follow the Guingamp road (north bank of river) for 650m to the traffic lights by Lecelerc supermarket. Here turn right (filter lane) and continue ahead on small road down to camp site - car-park is on right just after.

This is an easy walk mostly on well-made tracks and quiet roads, with great river and valley views. One section in a stream valley may be muddy after wet weather, but the going is generally good. Level 2, Medium.

Option in the morning: meet at 11.30 for a quick look at highlights of Lannion centre and then have lunch somewhere - good choice of eateries. Meeting point - north side of river by children's roundabout in elaborate kiosk (by river bridge opposite huge former monastery building). There is a car-park on the spot.

History course reminder

September 20th is the deadline for discount on booking for the History of Brittany Made Simple course in Huelgoat. The first session on October 15 (2-4.30pm) is an overview of Breton history from megaliths to modern, so it could be taken as a stand-alone unit. The following three sessions (Oct 22, 29, Nov 5) look in more detail at important people, places, events.
We aim to have fun as well as learn on these courses, and plenty of material and method is provided to help remember key points. Details are on www.brittanywalks.com (heritage courses) - link opposite.

Mouldy finger and a severed head ...

We had a great day in the Trégor with a mysterious underground spring, sinister snakes and various miraculous severed limbs. Lunch wasn't bad either, and we strolled it off around the majestic Pointe de Primel. That's (some of) us up by the custom officers' hut among some very big rocks.

Walk on Tuesday September 4th, 2pm (plus optional morning visits)

On Tuesday September 4th we are exploring the not very well-known but very beautiful area of the Finisterien Trégor, north east of Morlaix. The coast here is stunning and there are many places of interest in the interior. If you would like to see a unique religious survival from possibly as early as the 8th century and an unusual/exceptionally fine parish close, meet in the centre of Lanmeur by the church at 11am. We'll have coffee before our visits and a picnic lunch on a lovely beach (weather permitting). If you prefer to eat at a restaurant there are options in the vicinity.
For the afternoon walk, please meet in the centre of Plougasnou (D46 north of Morlaix) by the church at 2pm TO DRIVE TO START. We will be exploring the Pointe de Primel which has some flat paths and some very rocky ones. Participants can do as much or as little as they like. Time permitting we'll have another fairly level coastal walk in adjoining Primel-Trégastel afterwards and doubtless some liquid refreshment.

History of Brittany course

This course makes the History of Brittany relatively simple and fun. It will run over four Monday afternoons (October 15, 22, 29 and November 5) from 2 - 4.30pm at the café/bookshop L'Autre Rive in Huelgoat. The first session will be an overview from megaliths to modern, and then we'll look at events/people/evidence in more detail. New course materials and new methods of remembering essentials provided. Discount for bookings before September 19th. See www.brittanywalks.com

Despite the weather...

We had a good walk today in the Monts d'Arrée - nothing like some misty atmosphere in that terrain. What started as a bit of a trudge in the rain turned into a very enjoyable and eventually dry experience. It's great to walk with positive, happy and amusing (in the nicest possible way!)people! And not to mention Allie - doggess of the day.

Walk on Tuesday, August 14th

As always in August we have a Monts d'Arrée walk, starting at 2pm on Tuesday from the Ferme des Artisans carpark on the D785 near Mont St-Michel-de-Brasparts, about 8km north of Brasparts. There are many options from this point and the route chosen will be determined by the weather. Medium, Level 2, walking shoes, boots advised. All welcome.

Walking/Cycling guides - new editions for 2012

The full Nantes-Brest Canal and Brittany's Green Ways guides are both now available in new updated editions. See www.reddogbooks.com

Hot as hell

We had a glorious picnic today by the beach at L'Aber with lovely food provided by all the BWs stalwarts. Then most of us took a stroll to cool our feet in the water - only Howard actually swam. It really seemed like the hottest day of the year, and not an inch of natural shade to be had, so a challenge for sun-avoiders and dogs. Thanks to everyone for another really enjoyable get-together and compliments to all the chefs!

Picnic on July 24th

BWs summer picnic is at L'Aber on Tuesday 24th at 12.30. It looks as if the weather should be OK, but on the day those who have booked will receive an email (with new directions) by 9.30 if we are changing to our wet weather venue. Look forward to seeing everyone then.

We had a lovely walk today in good walking weather around a beautiful, tranquil route. A scramble through the forest was necessary to avoid one stretch of deep mud, but otherwise easy-going. Thanks to all for making it such a nice occasion.

Walk on Tuesday, July 10th, 2pm

Our next walk is at Locuon, in the commune of Ploerdut, on Tuesday July 10th, starting from the church at 2pm. The village is not far from Mellionnec. This is an easy walk in a peaceful location through very pretty countryside, passing two lakes and a chateau. Inevitably some paths will be muddy after all the wet weather, but much of the walk is on hard-surfaced tracks.
All welcome.

10,000 visitors today!

BWs was hoping to reach 10,000 visitors to this blog by the end of the year, but it's happened today! Thanks to everyone who reads regularly and to our drop-ins from all over the world.

Summer Picnic - booking, please

Thanks to those who have already booked for our summer picnic on July 24th. Anyone else interested, please let BWs know by email or phone. We are meeting at 12.30 at L'Aber (signed off the main road to Crozon) in a beautiful seaside spot, and all bringing food to share.

Rain free walk - honestly!

Strange to come home from a walk in dry clothes! We enjoyed close but rainless weather for our walk today on the Chapelle de la Trinité circuit between Pleyben and Brasparts. This really is a very peaceful route, with much of the way following a deep river valley packed with luxuriant foliage. BWs recommends it highly - it's well-signed and there are lots of rustic seats provided in places for picnic stops. Thanks to all, and dog of the day, Megan.

Walk on Tuesday 26th

We have a walk in very beautiful countryside near Pleyben on Tuesday 26th at 2pm. Make for the Chapelle de la Trinité (Pleyben to Loperec road, ahead until chapel signed to right) and then follow road down hill to parking area - directions are on the Events page of the website (www.brittanywalks.com). This walk is designed as a botanical circuit with lots of interesting plants and curiosities along the way.

Summer Picnic - L'Aber

Our summer picnic (bring food to share) event will be held on July 24th, 12.30pm at L'Aber, a beautiful coastal spot with a semi-island, plus fort, to explore tides permitting, and swimming options. The coastal path is sensational in both directions here so we might even have a little walk...
PLEASE BOOK FOR THIS EVENT BY PHONE OR EMAIL IN ADVANCE.

Belle-Ile trip photo album

Monique's fantastic photos from our Belle-Ile trip can now be viewed by cutting and pasting the following link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114252964454672258966/BelleIleEnMerJuin2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIimtcP26I-iTw&feat=directlink

We are very grateful for her skills!

Morlaix town walk - Tuesday 12th, 2pm

Our next walk is in the town of Morlaix on Tuesday, meeting by the bandstand outside the town hall near the viaduct at 2pm. Morlaix has had many connections with Britain over the centuries and it retains many interesting buildings, including a unique architectural form of medieval house. There are some ups and downs and steps involved in this walk, although the essential part is on a fairly level surface. All welcome.

Belle (but wet) Ile

BWs annual coastal walking holiday was on Belle Ile this week. We took the ferry from Quiberon and stayed in walkers' accommodation at Sauzon. Despite the bad weather (hairy moments on the high cliffs of the wild coast), and some walking time inevitably lost to rain, we managed to visit the famous Vauban citadel at Le Palais, Sarah Bernhardt's fort and the lighthouse at Les Poulains as well as doing some long and short walks on the north and south coasts. Most memorable for various reasons was the route starting from Port Coten and the often painted/photographed 'Needle' rocks.
Monique was our official photographer for the fifth year running (thank you!) and a link to her album of the trip will be posted soon. Here are a few pictures taken in sunny moments to be going on with ...

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!