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| Character filled Malestroit |
Yesterday we set off heading
towards Brittany with no idea where we would end up. As we were driving I was
checking out the map and saw the Voie Verte cycle track along a canal, went
online and checked out about camping spots and just happened to read a review
about the town of Malestroit which sounded really good. Well today when we got
the bikes out and cycled into town, we couldn’t believe our eyes, would have to
be up there as one of the most beautiful small villages we have been in, “picture
postcard” perfect. Cobbled streets, houses oozing with character and flowers
tumbling out of pots and window boxes. There was even a small market. After the
heavy rain we had last night, the sky this morning was very grey and watery and
the temperatures had really dropped with people walking around in jackets and
jeans. We meandered around the streets
and while I was taking a few photos a chap got talking to Ian, very little
English but they managed to communicate okay. The next thing he was taking us
on a guided tour around the town, he was so proud of its beauty.
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| Rooftops of Malestroit |
Finally headed off on the cycle
path along the canal to Le Roc-Saint-Andre, and would rate it as one of the
nicest rides we have had. Passed a number of locks, and they were decked out
with lots of potted flower plants as well as really nice gardens around them. We
followed the canal which then joined the L’Ouest river. The rain had us
sheltering under the trees for a while, but it soon eased.
It was lunchtime (well timed!!!)
when we got to Le Roc and stopped at what seemed to be the local “pub” and had
a really nice omelette to the sounds of Celtic music, guess we are now in
Brittany. Rode around town again when we got back to Malestroit but got caught
in a very heavy shower as we headed back to camp and arrived home rather
wet.
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| Gorgeous flowers on the canal. The hydrangeas have such vibrant colours. |
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| How you dry your washing beside the canal. |
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| Great vaulted ceiling in the church at Le Roc-Saint-Andre. |
The weather cleared and the sun
came out later in the afternoon so I walked back into town with my camera and
enjoyed poking around. Popped into a little exhibition and got talking (or as
much as is possible with the language issues) to one of the artists who was
drawing in the street. He was doing some very nice work.
Spotted a laundry in town, so
collected the washing when I got back, put it on the back of my bike and headed
back into town to do it. A good job out of the way. Really am enjoying the
freedom of scooting around on the bike, it is years since I have ridden one and
forgot how much fun it was!
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| Malestroit. |
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| The artist at work. |
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