Betwixt Lakeland & Edinburgh
Our annual and always much anticipated visit to Brittany is underway, with an overnight crossing to St Malo, to be followed by the familiar drive down to Morbihan. I don’t know how they’ve managed to remain so consistent over years and years, but Brittany Ferries continue to excel. Of course I love boats generally as … Continue reading Hat tip to Brittany Ferries
We left Brittany a little over a week ago but I can still hear the gentle lapping at the riverbank, see the view of the river from, and taste the air blown through the wide open bedroom window. It is a tranquil scene. This tidal river never appears in a hurry. The turning of the … Continue reading Tranquil
I’m told that Mary Berry’s pancake recipe has ‘keep it simple’ at its heart. I’m with her in that. For me, simple pancakes are the best, unless we’re dining at a certain beloved creperie in Morbihan, Brittany to which we’re hopelessly devoted, when the addition of stewed pear, vanilla ice cream, crème de salidou and … Continue reading Something simple
Another perfect day’s cycle tour today, in the commune of Sarzeau, near the coast of the Atlantic ocean, including a visit to the striking Château de Suscinio, a moated French castle, built in the late Middle Ages, as home to the Dukes of Brittany. It’s still gloriously warm here and hues of golds and reds are … Continue reading Suscinio
We’re just back from an annual visit to an old and dear Breton friend. Each and every such occasion is pure celebration of life. Léonie speaks not a word of English, her first language is Breton, French her second, and cheerfully willing as we are, notre français est très limité. Still, though, a joyful friendship has … Continue reading Not by words only
The TGV sped us out of Brittany for Paris this morning, our having first marvelled at the friendliness and service for breakfast at the SNCF Gare d’Auray. The contrast between this city and the riverside we’ll return to on Thursday couldn’t be more marked. Quiet enough in the former to hear sparrows’ wings, in 1st Arrondisement … Continue reading Grande Vitesse
The American Indian poet Joy Harjo told Bill Moyers I don’t see time as linear. I don’t see things as beginning or ending. A lot of people have a hard time understanding native people and native patience – they wonder why we aren’t out marching to accomplish something. There is no question that we have … Continue reading Patience
We were crossing the Sound of Iona between Western Scotland’s Inner Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona – part of the Atlantic Ocean – just a little while ago, and marvelling at the ferry Loch Buie’s riding the strong current that seems set to impede her progress about half way across. I experience a little … Continue reading Frisson
We’ve cycled for miles again today. The new cycleways in Southern Brittany are superb, and real testament to the seriousness with which cycling and healthier living generally is taken here. We reckon that with judicious use of cycling panniers and baskets for regular shopping trips we could probably leave the car at home for all … Continue reading September days in Morbihan
My lifelong love for water is rendered plain to me whenever I flip the pages of my souvenir photograph albums, or enter into reveries about happy times past, present or future. Born on the Wirral peninsula, bounded to the north by the Irish Sea, to the east by the Mersey river, and to the west … Continue reading Ebb and flow
I’d love to be a reasonably competent sketcher / painter but have never displayed much artistic flair! I shared my mild regret about that with a lovely tutor on a “Pen and Wash Day” course: “Oh, just play”, the lady said, “don’t worry about it. Just play, like a child, and over time enjoy watching … Continue reading just play
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wind in my wheels 🌱 