A couple of days in Paris

We took the train (TGV) up to Paris and said goodbye to the family who were flying back to New Orleans. We found our hotel, Hotel Aviatic, in 6th arrondissement and suitably close to Saint Germain des Pres where we wanted to wander and look at the little shops, tea and coffee places.
And that is what we have done for the last couple of days as well as buying some delicious tea from Mariage Frêres to take home.


On Friday evening we ate a great meal at the Belle Epoch style Restaurant, Montparnasse 1900, with its amazing decor and bustling atmosphere. And on Saturday evening we were recommended to visit bakkus Restaurant, a completely different kettle of fish, with wine stored behind glass doors in temperature controlled vaults, high seated tables - or low ones, which we opted for. Our meal here was outstanding, and we would heartily recommend a visit there should the occasion arise. We'd definitely return.
We took a stroll around on Sunday morning, along Montparnasse as far as avenue de l'Observatoire where turned and walked through the gardens leading down to Jardin du Luxembourg. One of these gardens is the one dedicated to the Great Explorers, Marco Polo (1254-1324) and Robert Cavelier-de-la-Salle (1643-1687), with its fountain representing the four corners of the world.
Soon it was time to head off for the airport and home.


Hotel Aviatic
Montparnasse 1900
bakkus Restaurant
Mariage Frêres

Lurs and Les Mourres

A bit of a bleak day to start the year, but we decided to get out and about, so drove up to the little hilltop village of Lurs. A village that was rescued from crumbling by a group of architects. It is a pretty place overlooking the Durance valley and surrounded by olive groves and apparently lavender. We, of course, saw none of this today. We drove on to discover the weird geology of les mourres, that look like science fiction creatures in the landscape. Apparently some 25 million years ago islands of waterplants and primitive seaweeds were embedded in limestone which built these mounds into a number of different shapes as they evolved into rocks.(according to the guide board at the site.)

Today we set off for Aix after a birthday breakfast. It is the most popular destination for tourists in the area, and even at the turn of the year there were plenty of people visiting the ancient city. We walked all around, finding many lovely shops and a special toy shop we plan to return to in the next couple of days. The macaroons were delicious, and as the special almond cakes called calissons were in many shops, but we had been told to look out for La Cure Gourmand. Here they had lots of different flavours, all beautifully set out in the shop. As we were going back to the car we walked through some stalls selling santons, the nativity figures they make in this area.

Today we set off early to catch the best market in the area at Forcalquier. It was a lovely bright morning and we had a wonderful time seeing the huge variety of stalls and lots of fabulous local produce. In the afternoon we had a thorough walk around the old medieval town of Manosque, where we are staying.

Gorges du Verdon

Yesterday,we flew down to Marseilles and hired a car for the drive up to our destination of Manosque. We found our gite and soon settled in quickly. Today we set off on our planned trip to drive around the Gorges du Verdon,and although the day was bright, the shadowed areas were still cold up in the mountains. Our first stop was for a quick coffee in the town of Moustiers Sainte Marie., Then we had the breathtaking drive around the gorge before us. Spectacular views of mountains and down in to the gorge with the river running in the bottom, as well as the beautiful lake. It must be fabulous in the summer when it is warm and all the activities are going on. It took a surprising length of time and we had to be careful in the shadier parts of the drive as there was ice on the road. At last we were back in Moustiers and found a table in the very busy crêperie for a welcome snack. All through the town are metal cut-out figures representing scenes of the Nativity.

Visiting Binic

Yesterday, S took C off to visit more rellies so A,D,M,N and I went off to visit the town of Binic. On the way we called in for some wine and stuff to take home. Binic was slow on Sunday morning, and we strolled down the little streets, looking in a few of the shops that were open. We found a nice place for a coffee, then made our way down to the beach where the tide was a long way out. We passed the marina and a man power-washing the green off a boat - making a great job of it, too.

The 'long' beach at Binic

Near the sea wall some people had built two courses for a marble game that would be open at 12pm. The idea was to flick your marble along the course and presumably the least flicks won. We watched some of the young competitors having a go and it looked great fun. There were some fearsome obstacles in the way, but eventually everyone made it to the end.

We walked back towards towards town and some galettes and ice cream were bought, before we bumped into some of S's relations who just happened to be visiting also! At the end of the inner harbour we saw a huge shoal of large fish gathered at a water inlet all mouths agape in the water flow - strange.

The church in St Quay

The pretty round-about

Back in Portrieux we had to get everything ready for a quick getaway in the morning, then we went for a walk with D,S and C to the far end of St Quay, passing the prettiest round-about just on the side of the road. It was very popular and S remembered it from when she was little.

 This evening we walked down to the sea front and one of the cafe's with tables under tents for a 'last supper'. It was another beautiful evening and we had a lovely meal all together.

Today M&N and A&I set off early to get our ferries - they from Cherbourg and we from St Malo. As we were leaving port a sail-training ship was slipping out just in front of us, lots of people waving at it - and we thought they were waving us off! This was the Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian sail-training ship that had been visiting Northern European ports on the 500th anniversary of its namesake Admiral Vespucci.

Amerigo Vespucci

Binic
St Quay-Portrieux
Amerigo Vespucci

Christening Day

We have been busy around the town over the last few days, and walked over to St Quay, yesterday, as it was market day. It was very busy as the market is up and down the main street and everyone comes to visit it. We had a great time looking at all the fresh fish, meat and veggies as well as the craft stuff, clothes etc. Eventually we succumbed to coffee at a lovely cafe, where they served us cake with ice cream, cream, caramel sauce and biscuits! We met up with S's family on the beach where the little ones were having a lovely time. Lots of shade and shelter for the babies, sun and swimming for the grown-ups!

Today has been a very busy day with the christening of Timothe and Callum. A very nice service in the church in St Quay, then everyone was expected at Catherine and Denis’ place for the party lunch - a magnificent spread rounded off with christening cake. A sea harr obscured the view, but we were in the sunshine looking down on it. We came home around 5pm and walked down to the harbour in the evening as the mist cleared. There was another folk band playing in the street just like last week.

The cake with rabbit minus ears!

The harr finally clearing

It was a beautiful evening

Île-de-Bréhat

S &C were in demand to meet up with the rellies, so the rest of us planned to go to Ile de Brehat. N was not well, so stayed home, but we four went off and took the ferry to the island which included a cruise around the island before landing. It was very rough, but we managed to survive. 

 

 

 

 Our first visit was to the glass makers and it was very interesting. Set up in the old fort, they have quite an industry going making door handles and knobs and special glass balls for newel posts. They also make some beautiful art glass. We spent ages there, then walked around to the centre of the island. 

D went off to the ferry, using N’s ticket, so he could feed the metre for the car. We could only pay for 4 hrs at a time. He had lunch while the ferry was on its lunch break as we did on the island. It all worked out and the sun came out in the afternoon as we walked part way to the end of the island, looking at the little church and the old watermill which are very picturesque. There are loads of agapanthus out as well as hydrangeas.

Soon we needed to get back, so made our way to the ferry and the drive back to Portrieux. On the way we stopped to see the old mooringsat Le port de Gwin Zegal. Here trees trunks are driven into the seabed, roots and all,and apparently last for a long time.

Le Port de Gwin Zegal

Île-de-Bréhat
Les Verreries de Brehat
Le Port de Gwin Zegal