Sorry; the extracts from latest Lucie' facebook entries are not in date order...I'm still learning how best to do it. However, I have added some interesting links to expand their scope. Just click on the highlighted words to learn more....
24th March 2016
Someone else's pictures of Lehon and surroundings
Our pictures below
Dancing cheek to cheek.Rob f.mp3
Lehon sur Le Canal d'Ille et Rance
(Click on the above link for info.)
We had sailed through Lehon without stopping on our way upstream just after leaving Dinan on our second night on the canal - We return by car with Alan and Nicki Robinson to see what a treasure we had missed.
15th March 2016
The sun was shining; the call of the sea too. Off we went towards Cancale enjoying all the signs and the feel of Spring in the air.... just before Cancale on a long stretch of beach; good for wind surfing on the Baie du Mont St Michel and we stopped at a fish restaurant in the middle of the oysters and mussel barns at Ondine St Melior.
The restaurant boasts a wonderful selection of shellfish and fish which you choose, put in a basket, pay for at the cash desk before settling at a table near the fireplace to await the delights of freshly caught and broiled fish. We share a dozen oysters, (a dry house white..ed) followed by salmon and a bream, crispy on the skin side, with succulent flesh cooked to perfection. Vivre la Bretagne! What a celebration of the beginning of spring.
I'm trying to think of interesting salads for me to eat since my bout of diverticulitis has become a challenge. I love salads, but am no longer allowed to eat raw foods. We had a social, pot luck, English conversation evening so it was a bit of a "what's in the fridge/freezer that I can cobble together" moment. Went down well.
Lightly steamed courgettes, green beans, wilted spinach, braised peppers and cooked mussels with a lemon vinaigrette. Served with a crispy baguette. Asparagus and prawns could also be added for more luxury. Good starter. Bon appetit!
29th Feb 2016 (looking back a bit on Lucie's Facebook entry)
We went to the UK to catch up with family; the older generation this time. Lovely sunny crossing from St Malo to Portsmouth before driving on to Walmer in Kent where Malcolm's brother lives near the castle. We revisited Deal, my old haunt; had good luck with the weather. Had a "fab" full breakfast on the end of the pier that now has a great cafe. Deal high street was voted the best high street recently by the Telegraph. The new high speed train to London has influenced Londoners to move there. It was comforting to find that all the old shops are still there just the same as when I lived there 25 years ago! Of course new ones have also sprouted up but no "formularisation" in this high street! ... it definitely has a new buzz.
My little terrace house did not look as loved as when I owned it. Still charming. Also revisited the Griffin's Head in Chillenden where Malcolm took me for our first date 23 years ago. Still great and the landlord recognised us.......reassuringly! (nice 2 pints of Sheperd Neame's ordinary Masterbrew bitter ..Ed)
Robert and Di had organised a wonderful time with lots of visits to pubs and treats to lovely restaurants. Malcolm enjoyed some great British beers. Laughter abounded as always when the Walkers get together.
Popped in for lunch - half way to Portsmouth - at Malcolm's lovely Aunt Lois (in Reigate) who will be 91 years old this year. She had a delicious "cold collation" and wine ready for our visit. Then we carried on to Portsmouth to catch our ferry home; a bit early, so a chance to discover old Portsmouth and the huge wharf shopping centre. Impressive and attractive in both cases - one last pint before queueing and boarding the Bretagne to go home. Even with grey skies, it was lovely to steam into St Malo after a delicious full breakfast on board. Such a civilised way to travel.
Diet?.... now we are back!
Ed. Also treated to the Beer Festival at Dover's Royal Yacht Club and a sensational dinner at a marvellous newly opened restaurant on the "front" at Deal. More later.....
19th March 2016 (Extracted from Lucie's recent facebook entry)
Some very kind new friends from our English conversation class offered to take us to Rennes to the Marche des Lices renowned for it's size and cornucopia of food and flowers. We set off at 7.30 am in order to secure a parking spot and to beat the crowds. It was more than worth the early start. Brittany certainly appreciates good food.
After a much needed hot cafe creme and delicious home made brioche bought in the market, proceeded to another gem in Rennes Le Jardin du Thabor. Just awakening from the winter, will return in early summer as many of the wonderful plants were only just showing signs of buds. The aviary in the middle of the park had some delightful residents which one could have spent hours looking at, the netting made taking photos of them a visual disappointment. (the kids will love it too!...ed) Just click on the above active text for more delights and info.
for other facebook photos click here