Thursday 21 September 2023
Nido's parked up on an 80 pitch aire in Plestin les Grèves. It could get quite claustrophobic if all the pitches were taken, but today there's only about half a dozen vans here. Although sunny and warm when I took Salty out for a walk this morning, the return leg of this afternoon's walk was in heavy rain and the showers continue to pulse through now.
After Trégarvan, we stopped off at a Super U to do the laundry. Next the outdoor laundrette was a motorhome service point, so the van was serviced after lunch, whilst waiting for the dryer to finish. It was then a short drive down to the aire at Roscumunoc. It's right on the coast, with a good view of Ile d'Ouessant (Ushant). We took a walk past the 'chiens interdit' beaches and on to a cove where they're allowed on a lead; Salty enjoyed some beach time. The Fiamma awning winding handle broke today as I wound it in, so that'll need replacing when we get home.
The following morning we walked in the other direction, along the cliff top coastal path. We were able to get down on to one beach via a large number of steps zig-zagging down the cliff face and had it all to ourselves. It was some great off lead time for Salty, who was caught out a couple of times by the very large waves as they washed further up the beach! Back on the cliff top we walked on a little further until reaching La Pointe de Corsen. This is the most westerly point in mainland France - next stop America.
Back at the van, we had a quick lunch then hit the road towards the inland town of Saint Thégonnec. It was a free aire with the pitches separated by low hedges. On a quick mooch about I noticed a pizza van on the car park on the opposite side of the road, so fifteen minutes later we were having an early tea! The rest of the evening was spent chilling out. In the morning I walked to the boulangerie for a baguette and to get one of the free jetons to allow us to fill up with fresh water.
On the way out yesterday we made a quick stop at the Decathlon in Morbaix to pick up a couple of things before driving down to the aire on the fishing quay at Plougasnou Le Diben. There was plenty of room and we bagged a spot overlooking the sea and rocks. It rained heavily all day, so we didn't venture far, until later in the afternoon when we went to the local bar - Kfè du Port - on the port, for moules frites. We arrived at 5.30pm and found out food didn't start being served until 7pm. So do we head back to the van through the rain and come back later, or do we stay in the bar and have a couple of drinks until it's time to eat? By the time our food arrived I was about three glasses of Leffe in! The moules frites were really enjoyable and a great treat; we've not had them since our 2019 trip to France so they were long overdue.
This morning was the first time I felt some chill in the air, but it's still shorts weather. As we were finishing breakfast, we felt the van being nudged from behind. If we had a YouTube channel, I could have done the 'scream' shock-horror face in the thumbnail, with a "An A class smashes into the back of us - is this the end of van life!!?" clickbait title! I went out to find the huge A class motorhome that had been parked behind us had driven (albeit very slowly) right into the back of our van. I was completely perplexed as to how the driver managed it, as there was plenty of space for him to reverse before moving forward. The driver seemed as perplexed as me; his wife refused to catch my eye, and just stared straight ahead, probably in sheer embarrassment! Once he reversed off I could see he had hit the bike rack. A quick check showed no damage though and he apologised before driving off at haste. I think he was trying to avoid the Police Municipal Officer who arrived about 15 minutes to collect the (very reasonable) €5 night fee!
There was a Super U on the way to this stop, so I pulled in to top up with a few essentials before we settled in to this aire. Salty and I took a walk in the morning to give Cathy some peace for her online Welsh lesson. We took the GR34 path down to Saint Efflamm With the beach out of bounds to dogs (although a few were running about on it) we walked along the promenade in warm sunshine, before returning for lunch. This afternoon's walk was in the opposite direction to a small harbour and a tiny beach. The return leg was in heavy rain, so we're now back in the van, drying off coats and chilling before our evening meal.
With about ten days left of this trip, I've pretty much mapped out our return route to Calais, including some stops in the Pays d'Auge and Suisse Normande areas of Normandy. Salty has his vet appointment a week today for his worming tablet, then we'll be ready for our return on the tunnel. But until then we've more to explore.... whilst dodging the showers.