tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683678332927506242024-03-12T20:29:41.897-07:0042 Days In BrittanyDay to day trip updates, random observations and musings for Mark and Nita's fall trip with friends and family to Dinan, France.
Caution: Drunk Posting will OccurMark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-58980790282782309912013-10-20T09:28:00.001-07:002013-10-20T09:28:24.376-07:00Dear France, (Sunday 10.20.2013)Dear France,<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
Thank you for being beautiful, frustrating, fattening, exasperating, charming and captivating. <br />
<br />
Thank you for putting up with my goofball family and friends with such good cheer and welcoming arms.<br />
<br />
Thank you for putting up with my wife and I's near constant stalking.(Yes, I look at pictures of you on the internets every day, but not in a creepy way.) <br />
<br />
Thank you for another fantastic stay with you, we cannot wait to be back as soon as possible, please keep a bed ready for us.<br />
<br />
We love you very much,<br />
<br />
Mark and NitaMark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-8351363236666054272013-10-12T01:28:00.000-07:002013-10-12T01:28:01.848-07:00Last of the Guests (Friday 10.11.2013)Well, Niters and I are all alone in the house after 5 weeks of friends and fun. Kelly and Mirinda got to the airport on time this morning in the rain and I got a text from him late in the night they made it to Detroit ok. Whether they survive 4 hours in Detroit is another story...<br />
<br />
We have little planned for the upcoming days till we leave, so I probably wont post much more until we are home.<br />
<br />
It had been an adventure, we cannot wait to do it again.<br />
<br />
Colmar France, March/April 2015 peoples! <br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-55038774316227229982013-10-11T04:46:00.001-07:002013-10-11T04:46:51.990-07:00Last Market Day (Thursday 10.10.2013)This morning is the last of our markets days in Dinan. We are incredibly spoiled to have access to such a great weekly market. Don't get me wrong, we have some fun farmers markets in KC, just not quite the riot of world class ingredients at nearly free prices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawKeVXl8JhFJp-f_VMBrgXCWCDKaRRtOojUA6wxL5kh9DfrriXC31CUaxg9QrUh4DGsvpkKVkmpD84L04oQOU4NEhXeLjY_FL3Q-z76eZYebRKYPkyV33lhXBnIdHg8AisJbauMCBARk/s1600/DSCN1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawKeVXl8JhFJp-f_VMBrgXCWCDKaRRtOojUA6wxL5kh9DfrriXC31CUaxg9QrUh4DGsvpkKVkmpD84L04oQOU4NEhXeLjY_FL3Q-z76eZYebRKYPkyV33lhXBnIdHg8AisJbauMCBARk/s640/DSCN1067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpnGDk_XEYOUjhSLH_KPDg8gcgMxEg-_2IMwnyxeaVvpwMAyYHCb3V5iyYLg6xsrPEGcYxgQEYRB-brKGES-LUGYt_upvT8BjQHshiQnrxHFUT7OifkADCjSjxCZf-DthZuLrqAHsGyQ/s1600/DSCN1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpnGDk_XEYOUjhSLH_KPDg8gcgMxEg-_2IMwnyxeaVvpwMAyYHCb3V5iyYLg6xsrPEGcYxgQEYRB-brKGES-LUGYt_upvT8BjQHshiQnrxHFUT7OifkADCjSjxCZf-DthZuLrqAHsGyQ/s320/DSCN1068.JPG" width="320" /></a>Over the weeks we have been here I have averaged cheese purchases of around $35 each trip to the Thursday market. The same cheeses, purchased at Better Cheddar in KC would have run between $150 and $200 per trip. The wine and cidre are the same. Pennies on the dollar from what we pay in the US.<br />
<br />
We will miss it greatly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusjaiy2Aft0IIo5fGlrYHOxqH6ri-KacaIi20-0-U16Ni0I63awcp6BcJv7Gu7RRzBGS_G4P8sc0R7fiOqOe6uugCVioqPAeKcghPpP8LBC1PhkDOtIeoMWbw7mGbAW_DKcdWJbTVO8M/s1600/DSCN1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusjaiy2Aft0IIo5fGlrYHOxqH6ri-KacaIi20-0-U16Ni0I63awcp6BcJv7Gu7RRzBGS_G4P8sc0R7fiOqOe6uugCVioqPAeKcghPpP8LBC1PhkDOtIeoMWbw7mGbAW_DKcdWJbTVO8M/s640/DSCN1069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Kelly and I grabbed the last of our knives from the "knife guy" and munched Indian Roti sammiches while the girls picked up salad makings, strawberries, fromage blanc(a light liquid cheese, something like yoghurt) and a metric tonne of cidre.<br />
<br />
We all wandered about town for a bit with out prizes, allowing Kelly the chance to buy a carry on bag and more trinkets before we went down to the house.<br />
<br />
Prepping for dinner, we burned up the last of a disturbingly large amount of food from the fridge to make a quiche. Somehow we managed to to "Americanize" even a simple quiche, adding somewhere in the neighborhood of 27lbs of various cheeses and 284lbs of bacon and ham. My measurements may be a tad off, but not by much.<br />
<br />
Kelly and Mirinda spent the rest of the evening sorting and packing for their early flight from Rennes. The plan at the moment is to get up early enough to allow them plenty of time at the airport. We are expecting heavy rain in the morning, hopefully traffic and road conditions will be ok.<br />
<br />
It has been a treat spending time with Kelly and Mirinda and we wish they could stay longer(at least Mirinda)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_Z3RteaaYpEd73botQdr2XYsM8K12Wmnz5Rp-EPdYYVvdgmJFRTtE9M8k9WSx1d9kXDFjngCxSuyona-UlQ-647bu5bnYujSHIJ8f5h9T9pLXwd9LSfkppy2SdXZIJZeteqNGe6ogzw/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_Z3RteaaYpEd73botQdr2XYsM8K12Wmnz5Rp-EPdYYVvdgmJFRTtE9M8k9WSx1d9kXDFjngCxSuyona-UlQ-647bu5bnYujSHIJ8f5h9T9pLXwd9LSfkppy2SdXZIJZeteqNGe6ogzw/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-56684897148167090162013-10-10T05:02:00.002-07:002013-10-10T05:02:59.195-07:00Dinan Day (Wednesday 10.9.2013)Pretty much we did nothing today. Lots of reading, goofing off online and generally recovering from 2 days out and about.<br />
<br />
For dinner we went back to our favorite little Italian place a few steps down the road from our front door. Another superb meal.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is our last market day in Dinan. We have a few things to pick up before we go and it will be sad to be in that glorious mess one last time.Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-79354277912836693032013-10-09T06:36:00.000-07:002013-10-09T08:51:09.189-07:00Band of Brothers (Tuesday 10.8.2013)Our second Overlord tour began with an early morning of me burning the crap out of my paws making coffee in the room with our little kettle. Damn thing had a broken lid and I dumped most of the boiling water on my paws and feets.<br />
<br />
No matter, we checked out of the maximum security hotel and walked down to meet the Overlord tour folks.<br />
<br />
This tour was much more personal. We had only 8 people (some very kind folks form D.C.) in the tour and a new driver/guide. Dominique was incredibly knowledgeable and the smaller van allowed a great chance to chat with her and ask all our questions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkkyDAFAv9VDFNTXUEZhJw2Kkw6TEatmDFSqX6iQUWOvKVcRqR1qNOt634Igxvw2yQYflEud83Bym8y_X2tktBEBoIj4y4BBw8CG1o0mwtVut4B05P76yMSkp6e4S5GuvnTZsDght2cE/s1600/DSCN0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkkyDAFAv9VDFNTXUEZhJw2Kkw6TEatmDFSqX6iQUWOvKVcRqR1qNOt634Igxvw2yQYflEud83Bym8y_X2tktBEBoIj4y4BBw8CG1o0mwtVut4B05P76yMSkp6e4S5GuvnTZsDght2cE/s640/DSCN0988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We started with the naval gun batteries again, and then on to Omaha Beach. Parking closer to the museum, we had a chance to walk down the sand to the "Spaulding Cut" that allowed him to make one of the first successful pushes into the German backfield and helped break the lines for the rest of the US forces. This also happens to be the direct terraced and stair laid path up the hill to the American Cemetery.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately it was closed, so our guide gave us strict orders not to cross the rather low wall, and to certainly not be back to the tour van for at least a half hour so she could do paperwork.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5P78Ua05AGZuiPSPuctxe1HIr24UYrWa2Sn-kAuQhqhtma4caRVqXVDJxlvU2gNdKMlJOzoYanek8z97JXPZ3V0G-uG5WtxZk_1D4POwbikgOza2eFBc4qlXbtK_DcVpSz2uaLxsJpE/s1600/DSCN0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5P78Ua05AGZuiPSPuctxe1HIr24UYrWa2Sn-kAuQhqhtma4caRVqXVDJxlvU2gNdKMlJOzoYanek8z97JXPZ3V0G-uG5WtxZk_1D4POwbikgOza2eFBc4qlXbtK_DcVpSz2uaLxsJpE/s640/DSCN0999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEsuBfousPGT8B_z_um3SYmOj2qyetlKPAOvCLj4ygB5ndrd8lBahKjWSYvtmXPZ7IN-hvhia0DzJuPtUxD7W1RYVf2R3v5Zkyu3MiyD48MH2lO0gHpodwPUg9oLgUAfVH0UqOpILJwA/s1600/DSCN1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEsuBfousPGT8B_z_um3SYmOj2qyetlKPAOvCLj4ygB5ndrd8lBahKjWSYvtmXPZ7IN-hvhia0DzJuPtUxD7W1RYVf2R3v5Zkyu3MiyD48MH2lO0gHpodwPUg9oLgUAfVH0UqOpILJwA/s640/DSCN1002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spirit of American Youth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With deepest respect for the wishes of our govt, we did not hop the wall and have an amazingly private 45 mins walking about the totally silent monument. Nor did a friendly groundskeeper step from a hedge and give me a wave and a smile. Nope, never happened. Any accusations of us crossing the wall against all instructions/signs are vile accuracies and I won't dignify them with further discussions.<br />
<br />
Nice to know the French Resistance is still working behind the lines to help Americans fulfill our missions...<br />
<br />
A fast trip to Pointe-du-Hoc for pictures and a lecture on high explosives, and off we went to Sainte-Mere-Eglise for a break.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC7MqagWUNzcTtZG1mOPuw-JQfbRX1Uei-tfUGig7hEQ3tZNFBGR4maFsU30PUzBQb8YOPzkzDqflSDY07u-ajVUVZf_BiCoIoOdpf0PRYdMguwWCAKdaBqnFbnzaT01j_IjU3Chlwtw/s1600/DSCN1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC7MqagWUNzcTtZG1mOPuw-JQfbRX1Uei-tfUGig7hEQ3tZNFBGR4maFsU30PUzBQb8YOPzkzDqflSDY07u-ajVUVZf_BiCoIoOdpf0PRYdMguwWCAKdaBqnFbnzaT01j_IjU3Chlwtw/s640/DSCN1031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XaqtwFQW4Vs8I5TciUnPT32xhFJVUrHfAhGHDJmlW08mRzWoInbMfE1CcRwzLOd34PpN_OgORPPIVNqHv7faEv9r20fmX0mmWQ30LwZaQ19L80-yVSpu02niaB9yMc3NAmvrxvw14Qo/s1600/DSCN1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XaqtwFQW4Vs8I5TciUnPT32xhFJVUrHfAhGHDJmlW08mRzWoInbMfE1CcRwzLOd34PpN_OgORPPIVNqHv7faEv9r20fmX0mmWQ30LwZaQ19L80-yVSpu02niaB9yMc3NAmvrxvw14Qo/s640/DSCN1032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After the lunch break we toured the Band of Brothers sites. After a detailed lecture of the paratroop landings and associated chaos, saw the spot where Dick Winters landed in Sainte-Mere-Eglise and gathered up more troops.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zdFxn4gVpXj-3Q5CnBq1hhXt5RF3bfZGk2rBCW0l9xhJg-faKS2qV78SWWC51Ubd0Yf8vng-hAePQcG5mNN8nBqq7_sH5_w1HQEpd38cvq75LieXquPtRj90Y0C8qHqb9-erdnIibak/s1600/DSCN1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zdFxn4gVpXj-3Q5CnBq1hhXt5RF3bfZGk2rBCW0l9xhJg-faKS2qV78SWWC51Ubd0Yf8vng-hAePQcG5mNN8nBqq7_sH5_w1HQEpd38cvq75LieXquPtRj90Y0C8qHqb9-erdnIibak/s400/DSCN1054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mock-up of John Steele who landed on the steeple in SME. He hung there for over 2 hours till someone noticed he was still alive. Captured by the Germans, he escaped 3 days later and survived the rest of the war.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Driving the roads they walked, we had the chance to visit a few private farms, including a stop at Brecourt Manor to see the actual place that the iconic raid on the 105mm guns firing on Utah Beach took place. If you have seen the HBO series, you know what that reference is. It was chilling to see how small the actual fighting area was and how close to the American command post the guns were located. Perhaps 1000 yards? The series seems to show it miles away, but in reality it was a 10 minute walk at best.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4zTgig9pHNNHTXnT7HomAAhh5xW-EZA8TK4oR2YCB5vnuoHoWHt5bfVmjf87lBCh-tjH9Y1KCvTRUcNX6duQQ9bH3zm_OChoedhyNYC5b7vVGBTU2keTFKFL0zeih3GWuLuHXC6eAfA/s1600/DSCN1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4zTgig9pHNNHTXnT7HomAAhh5xW-EZA8TK4oR2YCB5vnuoHoWHt5bfVmjf87lBCh-tjH9Y1KCvTRUcNX6duQQ9bH3zm_OChoedhyNYC5b7vVGBTU2keTFKFL0zeih3GWuLuHXC6eAfA/s640/DSCN1058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monument for Easy Company at Brecourt. The guns taken by Winter and "E" were located just at the trees in the background. The American command post is perhaps 300 yards to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We visited the small church at Angoville-au-Plain again, to see where 2 American medics, Ken Moore and Robert Wright, treated over 80 US and German(and 1 French teenager) casualties over the course of 3 days. The church changed hands multiple times over the 3 days, and both sides sent out parties to search for the red parachute marked medical supply crates to give to the US medics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinFaWFVHiJi9Mrj4AkfLT5nRuTejfeGwvbCNm_0B_p1zbzqDAufuazskQR564xmFHGMOlv6tzYKczeXpSDQPNyGyQPix3Z9cdchFxOt025QTaBKF8U-KcGvCT-OdoYNIkJSbGkrO9JcI/s1600/_SCN0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinFaWFVHiJi9Mrj4AkfLT5nRuTejfeGwvbCNm_0B_p1zbzqDAufuazskQR564xmFHGMOlv6tzYKczeXpSDQPNyGyQPix3Z9cdchFxOt025QTaBKF8U-KcGvCT-OdoYNIkJSbGkrO9JcI/s640/_SCN0320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeQq4aotdBR7BsZK75cbz2F9zx7yMDt869gczMRRvdJLFMSunwdbdKo0KJ8Xls43Bx74sbIm_zgEDPVZHlhU66uL6RS4lKpVfFHIiWkhrW3olCNoaDXHnnRGPvDI8lhqhAhCY1O5Df5Y/s1600/_SCN0321_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeQq4aotdBR7BsZK75cbz2F9zx7yMDt869gczMRRvdJLFMSunwdbdKo0KJ8Xls43Bx74sbIm_zgEDPVZHlhU66uL6RS4lKpVfFHIiWkhrW3olCNoaDXHnnRGPvDI8lhqhAhCY1O5Df5Y/s640/_SCN0321_1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The story was never really known till Robert Wright came through town on a tour and spotted the church. He told the story and it grabbed the hearts of the locals. Many years later, Robert and Ken made the trip back to the small church for a reunion. The mayor of the town had a monument to their bravery erected and new stain glass was installed in the church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT7mxgA-9da4-6Obcwpe-h3Yi_JNtAHjo7JbDvVwyXabCiPt8y8kGcqxP0OPdLzGYZGeqdnY5gW5_68ByqYrK25qLrzHBa8DmIF7RlPZbPpQ5I_GL0LrZ-tvJx7xJ37PKh76BbE4_XdY/s1600/DSCN0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT7mxgA-9da4-6Obcwpe-h3Yi_JNtAHjo7JbDvVwyXabCiPt8y8kGcqxP0OPdLzGYZGeqdnY5gW5_68ByqYrK25qLrzHBa8DmIF7RlPZbPpQ5I_GL0LrZ-tvJx7xJ37PKh76BbE4_XdY/s320/DSCN0315.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was at that time that Robert Wright gave a picture of himself and his bride post war, in a wedding dress that was made from the reserve parachute that Robert never lost or used during the war. The picture hangs near the altar along with a newspaper story showing he and Kenneth with the French teen they saved all those years ago.<br />
<br />
I guess I should mention that the church was dedicated to Saints Damien and Cosmas, twin brothers who are the patron saints of Doctors and Pharmacists. Cool, huh?<br />
<br />
<br />
Last stop of the day was a quick tour of Carentan, much featured in Band of Brothers. Now a hugely expanded modern city, we at least got to visit the small downtown area seen in hundreds of period photos from the way. I believe Dick Winters got shot in the foot near where we stood.<br />
<br />
Back to Bayeux to grab the car, we took one last side trip for souvenirs. Niters drove us home in no time at all and a hearty dinner of slow braised beef, peppers and onions that Mirinda made Sunday evening made a satisfying end to a long couple of days.<br />
<br />
I'd really glad we opted for the Overlord tours. It is hard for me to drive and sight see at the same time, so having a dedicated driver and guide was a perfect balance.<br />
<br />
Wednesday is a recuperation day, don't expect much from me after. <br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-23688876886118669232013-10-09T05:08:00.000-07:002013-10-09T05:08:12.966-07:00Mont-Saint-Michel and Bayeaux, again. (Monday 10.7.2013)Monday morning we loaded up the valiant Peugeot and headed for MSM once again. Gotta say, it was a lot better the second time around.<br />
<br />
We hopped on the bus with 15,928 school kids, a far cry better than the load of old age pensioners from last time. Once we got up on the island, we finally found the much talked about and hidden "right turn" passage up to the abbey. Losing the crowds, we had a rather calm and sedate trip up. No crappy tourist shops, just gardens and terraces overlooking the bay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjMGzvgxQD23OTb-lgIXRt4C2jDvwDKqxfwGZE_BarcEXr5zvqdkkb3KdxG84pcYZXsOwqKBKENVMJj6ByLg7kNJ_NFzc1DkiSfx4u-kcYIUC8vFB4xVHzSpY2vAqj7KMo-nKdnffW3I/s1600/DSCN0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjMGzvgxQD23OTb-lgIXRt4C2jDvwDKqxfwGZE_BarcEXr5zvqdkkb3KdxG84pcYZXsOwqKBKENVMJj6ByLg7kNJ_NFzc1DkiSfx4u-kcYIUC8vFB4xVHzSpY2vAqj7KMo-nKdnffW3I/s640/DSCN0871.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Kelly and Mirinda opted to take the Abbey tour while Niters and I went for a glass of wine in a decent little terrace bar overlooking the sea. We have had better lunches, but not much better views for a lunch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn3NIadkuT-rHzv6xZ7vQ8d39m598pfzFOp-2tVrHCU_1uK9f4TPv4y-wnQimkCtwJp5IXxGyp7MW5g9QK9YvpChi1NTxoZjDj1i30tiGt929Q5nfaeyE9_OcPx-K22LnXl9qBYBOvRI/s1600/DSCN0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn3NIadkuT-rHzv6xZ7vQ8d39m598pfzFOp-2tVrHCU_1uK9f4TPv4y-wnQimkCtwJp5IXxGyp7MW5g9QK9YvpChi1NTxoZjDj1i30tiGt929Q5nfaeyE9_OcPx-K22LnXl9qBYBOvRI/s320/DSCN0866.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Quick bus ride back to the parking lot and off we went for our overnight in Bayeux. My clever plan to top off the gas tank was foiled by the gas attendants lunch hour, so we walked the quiet streets of Pontorson. Italian food(go figgure) was about all that was offered in the mid afternoon so we sat down to eat a quick bite before we fueled up the car and got on the highway.<br />
<br />
The drive to Bayeux was uneventful as ever and we had just enough time to raid the Tapestry Museum and the Cathedral(asked to leave both places as it was closing time)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpvondhY6tGNPMhMOiKy96BZ7d_QodM0xq4USc1Rk_-9VWxPRtp4VvWQh5XOrZkgJBjgzz1yBFAwe9W2Z07YNEnlcdI4ozoW01PdoUFTH3XqgqdKJg8dMdPQ3gwBnTe7v1LTAyLkJqS4/s1600/DSCN0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpvondhY6tGNPMhMOiKy96BZ7d_QodM0xq4USc1Rk_-9VWxPRtp4VvWQh5XOrZkgJBjgzz1yBFAwe9W2Z07YNEnlcdI4ozoW01PdoUFTH3XqgqdKJg8dMdPQ3gwBnTe7v1LTAyLkJqS4/s640/DSCN0907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIzOExB_pr9ax9JdyhzcNToqSH9OMIKcuJLgxrt0M5TbxMt_yau9M5FA-9A6p9Eypal40SechxiQLgqDobxCdK7Gsil5B1X-t8nllM7LxWymOIihDgU1xnYH4184B78yjm7oXV8LAPNc/s1600/DSCN0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIzOExB_pr9ax9JdyhzcNToqSH9OMIKcuJLgxrt0M5TbxMt_yau9M5FA-9A6p9Eypal40SechxiQLgqDobxCdK7Gsil5B1X-t8nllM7LxWymOIihDgU1xnYH4184B78yjm7oXV8LAPNc/s400/DSCN0917.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaaMPpk0j0z_BSkTaeMJY33-2MkyW5UHw4B99K2CGIpuYgO8YtenansXWoYuFuSs6dFJU_AAZbGHUYOynzBFpP4B6AL3PaK6b6qSjQ2bgyTRPKyRGoyrgYfzGaWwfBoOkhMeaj_ktXTA/s1600/DSCN0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaaMPpk0j0z_BSkTaeMJY33-2MkyW5UHw4B99K2CGIpuYgO8YtenansXWoYuFuSs6dFJU_AAZbGHUYOynzBFpP4B6AL3PaK6b6qSjQ2bgyTRPKyRGoyrgYfzGaWwfBoOkhMeaj_ktXTA/s640/DSCN0939.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Again, the hotel was clean and efficient, something I shall strive for in the future.<br />
<br />
Early morning Tuesday, its another Overlord tour of the D-Day sites, including Band of Brothers locations.<br />
<br />
BTW, Kelly stole my camera and took all these pics. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-61235771838418611572013-10-06T04:16:00.000-07:002013-10-06T04:17:35.170-07:00Where Is My Cow? (Saturday 10.5.2013)So where is the food? Obviously we are not starving to death, but where is all of the food? The open air markets and food faires are freaking amazing, but I am missing something somewhere...<br />
<br />
Yesterday we lazed about the house until the urge to stock up for the weekend at the grocery store drove us from the place. Shopping at the major grocery stores in France is an occasionally fascinating venture. Most of the large stores are much like a Walmart or Target in the U.S. Pretty much you can equip an entire house from just one store, soup to nuts.<br />
<br />
The odd thing is, there isn't a lot of different food, unless you want cookies or wine.<br />
<br />
Lemme 'splain.<br />
<br />
When we think of French food, images of complex, layered, intricate constructions come to mind. Exotic spices, ingredients, and wines all working together to make magic on the plate. Strangely, that's not the case. Markets here have lots of amazing product, but not a lot of selection. 6 basic cuts of beef, 10 basic cuts of pork, whole chickens, whole fish and a narrow but impressively fresh array of veggies. Combine that with a grudging 10 or so spices and herbs in fresh or dried form, there is a very limited palate to work from. But, there are all world class, even in the local grocery store. <br />
<br />
I guess this trip has drastically changed the way I view my cooking. Does a great artist need 500 colours to paint with, or just 20 and the ability to combine them to his exact needs? Does a great writer need 234 characters in a book to make a masterpiece of literature, or just 2?(Im talking to you Dante, read Old Man and the Sea if they have it in the library in whatever circle of Hell you are in.)<br />
<br />
My gnostic revelation is simple. That's it. <u>Simple</u>. Few ingredients, the best there are, combined with respect for what they represent can end in a glorious plate of food. I don't need 20 cuts of beef, 30 cuts of pork, 200 herbs and spices and 100 veggies to choose from at the Price Chopper. My food is getting lost in the noise. I need to settle back and listen to the ingredients I choose and stop trying to hide in the concert crowd.<br />
<br />
French cooking is a skilled chamber group, my cooking has been a high school marching band playing, "Louie, Louie". <br />
<br />
It's just that simple.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-28497091397222497482013-10-05T03:07:00.002-07:002013-10-05T03:07:33.300-07:00The Road to Lehon Part Trois (Friday 10.4.2013)The girls were up and out to Mont-Saint-Michel long before Nita, Kelly, Mirinda and myself bothered to get out of bed. Pastries were obtained, coffee prepared, the day started for us lazy folks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA48yrMopP_MkDXspbQj5c4dmmHgmqM-qNFAKNwdgY9SM23yCkRfs4TTvIMvnt7GfdDhBkU2AoTP9v9ffxSIHxi_Gt9T5tIKED78hj25dZ_JwgEhLRg4-8SAuquIvvkqseupE2r3sX9A/s1600/55555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA48yrMopP_MkDXspbQj5c4dmmHgmqM-qNFAKNwdgY9SM23yCkRfs4TTvIMvnt7GfdDhBkU2AoTP9v9ffxSIHxi_Gt9T5tIKED78hj25dZ_JwgEhLRg4-8SAuquIvvkqseupE2r3sX9A/s640/55555.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post pastry giddiness syndrome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Mostly we lazed about the house till the girls got home about 1pm. After a light lunch, we gathered up the troops for another walk to Lehon. Nita and I are coming to truly love that walk to the little town around the bend of the river.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDicUmOjIq-U1fY2mE5jlV33PCYJ8ZAmH7jQmIdnmGCBgxC0th3lx9u6XgAZSbbBSrF1zeDftK8cRdRWTfCBcbdPfaAliPxsFUf9Hx9sb61qq_eV2JqjKxozGLzlVFFzjKdnj34B5CHy4/s1600/333333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDicUmOjIq-U1fY2mE5jlV33PCYJ8ZAmH7jQmIdnmGCBgxC0th3lx9u6XgAZSbbBSrF1zeDftK8cRdRWTfCBcbdPfaAliPxsFUf9Hx9sb61qq_eV2JqjKxozGLzlVFFzjKdnj34B5CHy4/s640/333333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little house with the green shutter is where I we want to live in Lehon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The weather was perfect, cool with a tad of fresh breeze to keep the air moving along the river bottom. Stopping for photo after photo, the walk took us a quite pleasant half hour to reach the abbey. Nita and I sat back and let our friends explore the marvels of the abbey and cathedral. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvGK7_VufpLAP8H6iaKUT9jiWAepwXa9W0rgq7Pd_3SpHIR3dXhzGAdtpAAD1ndcHfZs0WSm75W9X9pfj9fDL6qNPm-QedJKLsNUPwT5jpxlda81LHX6q7TLbeBTl3JVUV0pROn1Sci8/s1600/66666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvGK7_VufpLAP8H6iaKUT9jiWAepwXa9W0rgq7Pd_3SpHIR3dXhzGAdtpAAD1ndcHfZs0WSm75W9X9pfj9fDL6qNPm-QedJKLsNUPwT5jpxlda81LHX6q7TLbeBTl3JVUV0pROn1Sci8/s320/66666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grotesque in the corner of the cathedral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeiUMHhbCHbxscaz_V-AC8na8obh6Fdj2I2qEq7LsqQT15EnHYwPPEctrVEmAg90U0q5rmYdolbaEZ9HSqOMsvEoYKxz6zeAkMibjpkgSsCglPU-HVHi9eGICN9xQHcYhuRW0TkxdbHg/s1600/22222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeiUMHhbCHbxscaz_V-AC8na8obh6Fdj2I2qEq7LsqQT15EnHYwPPEctrVEmAg90U0q5rmYdolbaEZ9HSqOMsvEoYKxz6zeAkMibjpkgSsCglPU-HVHi9eGICN9xQHcYhuRW0TkxdbHg/s400/22222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose with rain drops in abbey garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Once more, people cannot keep their sticky hands off the history. I'm running out of bail money dammit...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIynVNJxfhoHETaXIx9nIgp3rMCAZgU6YqS1rXrvNsFHVA0za7g3Ia_yAuVNyagmugErs8-49XfmPkUmTxQnNKsZ61q8ZYyErlHool0K0f6rHdn0Hvlns225BM7ULEvO7DwAXGHHc84A/s1600/77777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIynVNJxfhoHETaXIx9nIgp3rMCAZgU6YqS1rXrvNsFHVA0za7g3Ia_yAuVNyagmugErs8-49XfmPkUmTxQnNKsZ61q8ZYyErlHool0K0f6rHdn0Hvlns225BM7ULEvO7DwAXGHHc84A/s400/77777.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We wandered over to the bar at the base of the fortress and enjoyed an aperitif with the grumpy old men playing cards in the corner and drinking Ricard Pastis.<br />
<br />
Kelly ran, and yes I mean ran, up to the top of the fort while we enjoyed our drinks. Feisty man is our Kelly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDeXh-4gTTEu4fS5XGm_Ipkj8HuFxnds9lhDSN3El9gWsdkjdyoZN3iIYEXnf34B8l9zGBhMERJwZ2dJYAurzbzHm-a8Bc2mJwx3ME9aIzZ0YWVJ0u64NZQZRoOE4btDetPyA8-QT5A0/s1600/44444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDeXh-4gTTEu4fS5XGm_Ipkj8HuFxnds9lhDSN3El9gWsdkjdyoZN3iIYEXnf34B8l9zGBhMERJwZ2dJYAurzbzHm-a8Bc2mJwx3ME9aIzZ0YWVJ0u64NZQZRoOE4btDetPyA8-QT5A0/s640/44444.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bar as seen from top of fort. Its a lot higher, I suspect zoom was involved here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
An early evening stroll led us back to Dinan and a relaxing meal out and an early evening for some of us. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiMnJXdjBbed4I0MTxqCmUClJP5Es-jwUzZbMcXb-eaG6vrSAWWsJamD1y-eODBV3aV_np0amWcHJ1PacMxTJ7H2_BQMzRC-IjFLXC4iLuW4CVCmHvvVGdrkdBgZ14o3lGloswDpDwl0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiMnJXdjBbed4I0MTxqCmUClJP5Es-jwUzZbMcXb-eaG6vrSAWWsJamD1y-eODBV3aV_np0amWcHJ1PacMxTJ7H2_BQMzRC-IjFLXC4iLuW4CVCmHvvVGdrkdBgZ14o3lGloswDpDwl0/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast fig with honey and vanilla ice cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We will be losing the girls in the morning, it will be a much more quiet and lonely house without them.<br />
<br />
Safe travels you crazy kids!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-33150910992778545092013-10-04T02:55:00.000-07:002013-10-04T02:55:04.086-07:00Up and Down Market Day (Thursday 10.3.2013)Thursday is pudding day!!! <br />
<br />
No, wait... Thursday is market day in Dinan and the perfect way to let the new folks explore the city. Orders were given for flowers, cheese, wines, salad makings and base veggies for another leftover extravaganza bolognese.<br />
<br />
We awoke to a cold, driving rain around 5am. Soothing to hear slamming against the slate roofs, but we realized that the rain could have some serious effects on the grand outdoor market.<br />
<br />
God loves fools, drunks and American tourists it seems, because 10ish the rain stopped and the sun poked through the clouds for us.<br />
<br />
Up THE HILL(tm) we went, grocery trolley and shopping bags in hand. Proper provisions were obtained in the much smaller market, and the shopping trolley was filled to capacity with wine and cookies that the more irresponsible of the party chose to load up on... cough...<br />
<br />
Kelly, Mirinda and I went back down to the house to unload and take naps (Shopping is hard work dammit), while the others stayed up to explore Dinan. <br />
<br />
Eventually folks wandered back and we broke out the cidre, wine, cheeses and snausages for a snackie before dinner. I worked on the pasta sauce and let it cook down for 3 hours before I hit it with a stick blender. Honestly, how many vacation rentals come with a freaking stick blender??<br />
<br />
Dinner was superb, the company grand. Even Kelly.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow morning Christina, Marcie and The Mums(c) head for Mont-Saint-Michel and after they return we are walking over to Lehon again. Dinner will be at L'Atelier Gourmand if we are back in time.<br />
<br />
The girls leave tomorrow morning, we are bummed they could only stay for 3 days. At least we still have Kelly and Mirinda! <br />
<br />
Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-56375854461613298122013-10-03T00:44:00.002-07:002013-10-03T05:32:42.163-07:00New Crew! (Wednesday 10.2.2013)Kim and Ryan bailed out early to make their run to Rennes to catch the train. That gave Nita and I a chance to get the house cleaned up, laundry done and the beds changed.<br />
<br />
About 1:30 we headed to the Rennes Airport to pick up Kelly and Mirinda after their flight from KC. For the most part they seemed to have a quite pleasant series of flights, a rarity this trip...<br />
<br />
By 4 we were back home and exploring the port. As most of the port restaurants were closed we had a nice little dinner at Atelier Gourmand. Great seafood and desserts made the evening go quickly. Christina, Laura, Marcie and Janet rolled into Dinan about 9pm with a car so packed with people and luggage it damn near exploded when they opened the doors.<br />
<br />
The usual wine, sausage and cheese made its appearance and the socializing began in earnest. Folks faded away as the wine and cidre flowed and the travel exhaustion hit.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is market day!Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-11449586327323548472013-10-02T02:52:00.000-07:002013-10-02T02:52:57.512-07:00Last Days of Kim and Ryan (Tuesday 10.1.2013)Tuesday was our last full day with Kim and Ryan. We spent much of the day reviewing pics, going up THE HILL(tm) for souvenir shopping and generally goofing off.<br />
<br />
For dinner we wandered down to the port to find everything closed except a little Italian bar called Zag. Ok food, indifferent service. I get the feeling its a bar first most evening, not a restaurant.<br />
<br />
Back to the house about 11 so folks could get some needed sleep before they headed for Rennes in the morning.<br />
<br />
We will miss Kim and Ryan. After 2 trips to France we are STILL willing to travel with them =)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOZz_MNNMeO3XsBHowe6N9DF8EAPhnXnsr8k1GVu5LeqHyFu1jhzkKkPOKSV8H4CwrQbxfuuVYEi6dW4VtkJYAK9MOEtU6s9uEpmMvmxpsaAEffam_xIoRn3QleMcMECF9j8PoEqlF2Q/s1600/w5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOZz_MNNMeO3XsBHowe6N9DF8EAPhnXnsr8k1GVu5LeqHyFu1jhzkKkPOKSV8H4CwrQbxfuuVYEi6dW4VtkJYAK9MOEtU6s9uEpmMvmxpsaAEffam_xIoRn3QleMcMECF9j8PoEqlF2Q/s640/w5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-92149990606040363242013-10-01T03:56:00.000-07:002013-10-01T03:58:21.209-07:00Combourg Market, Melliac, Chapel of the Lost, Chateau Asshat, Lehon, and Kim Getting Her Sticky Jam Hands All Over History. (Monday 9.30.2013)It all started out too quietly. A quick trip over to Combourg to see the market, maybe pick up some chickens from the roasters, a light lunch and a tour of the Chateau. But no, it was not to be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAVy1B-f2WgbOyn4locxpLVWbjJpkZhK9RNqDzhV1sHk2mbG5TbEyCuinZVlTO0uesxftObTaPedAQdnPM4Dehkk_qYSdmf6V0n8D9Z5j-iTltPhOIGmO26ZkqT1JPImomoTcO205R7Y/s1600/combourg+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAVy1B-f2WgbOyn4locxpLVWbjJpkZhK9RNqDzhV1sHk2mbG5TbEyCuinZVlTO0uesxftObTaPedAQdnPM4Dehkk_qYSdmf6V0n8D9Z5j-iTltPhOIGmO26ZkqT1JPImomoTcO205R7Y/s640/combourg+107.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr4YQv3_sIB4rGBX0OmsEO_Q06Fqy0PkAkqGfPJRTUPmxsYJSW7wHRefXRLgExwVm49SwaQNyMECxhrQt1T3m0wJ9lhfy5idbXGDuPUvWRykX0B6n6k_jR0OTSaNyyvu6lZfdnGlSK9Q/s1600/Combourg+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr4YQv3_sIB4rGBX0OmsEO_Q06Fqy0PkAkqGfPJRTUPmxsYJSW7wHRefXRLgExwVm49SwaQNyMECxhrQt1T3m0wJ9lhfy5idbXGDuPUvWRykX0B6n6k_jR0OTSaNyyvu6lZfdnGlSK9Q/s320/Combourg+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0SYzx4HCcbCBhxaV38JKUclFj2H3R8lx2EKKcc9Ptznktc9l-Y3AyzrpP6Q8l0PUTkcox99UG3MTj2KbdrZFz-RNM9uNKItSkAGAXn3Ztw8wzcIn07VgX-E3iBO1Kt0l3hBL3gbHeqA/s1600/Combourg+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0SYzx4HCcbCBhxaV38JKUclFj2H3R8lx2EKKcc9Ptznktc9l-Y3AyzrpP6Q8l0PUTkcox99UG3MTj2KbdrZFz-RNM9uNKItSkAGAXn3Ztw8wzcIn07VgX-E3iBO1Kt0l3hBL3gbHeqA/s320/Combourg+100.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Coffee and pastries secured, we piled into the car and headed for Combourg. The market was in full swing and we mooched about looking for only the finest in French foodstuffs and Liberian slave labour made clothing. Eventually we grabbed a couple of chickens, some blood sausage and onions and a big box of roasted baby taters for lunch down by the lake. Along the way we saw the usual fruits and veggies, along with an even more impressive display by the critter vendor. Gotta admit I am getting anxious to get back to the US and start on the new rabbitry.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKadLGz_bi1uItPQzm3cC6st7ZRRP4R2O74TYq0fMM-BnEjZuoeH98r2D5wV3VtbySJ3aFHSbv0cgwM13mC1Xm9u8gWrRK22vBN5XVePkLQhhGZrN16-NovSY5RZg-iRkMR6L-1N3qKQ/s1600/Combourg+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKadLGz_bi1uItPQzm3cC6st7ZRRP4R2O74TYq0fMM-BnEjZuoeH98r2D5wV3VtbySJ3aFHSbv0cgwM13mC1Xm9u8gWrRK22vBN5XVePkLQhhGZrN16-NovSY5RZg-iRkMR6L-1N3qKQ/s400/Combourg+102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunnies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AB4KH1jk6orBes36SYIFs_v6U9Qn3Bew-DlMZFJYL9JavH1IMhxC9yh-NkCH-8LFXRgiOPbS7ciGBWAWPelUEROhPpwKkdP_JJezMSzo97wNaNt8ay6fK0Ms25y95a7Pasd_mO39x5U/s1600/Combourg+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AB4KH1jk6orBes36SYIFs_v6U9Qn3Bew-DlMZFJYL9JavH1IMhxC9yh-NkCH-8LFXRgiOPbS7ciGBWAWPelUEROhPpwKkdP_JJezMSzo97wNaNt8ay6fK0Ms25y95a7Pasd_mO39x5U/s320/Combourg+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quail. Much easier than hunting them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We had a marvelous lunch by the lake, watching coots and ducks paddling about the mirror smooth water. Nice to be outside eating a meal, its something we don't do enough of at home. Kim took delight in maliciously scaring the ducks. That was an omen of things to come.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5zMa4WzhZ3NZU7sbLhbUTFgFuQNW4-4tbHwEo3QhyphenhyphenVxfcuvXEB2DJl3fkWAWYSK0VeyZh-78O-Jazw7BkLHG_2IN7q0YDuDpg-EYCCAcgcQBwWxSKUPD6NORHFboFWaHpHar6cDY21c/s1600/combourg+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5zMa4WzhZ3NZU7sbLhbUTFgFuQNW4-4tbHwEo3QhyphenhyphenVxfcuvXEB2DJl3fkWAWYSK0VeyZh-78O-Jazw7BkLHG_2IN7q0YDuDpg-EYCCAcgcQBwWxSKUPD6NORHFboFWaHpHar6cDY21c/s640/combourg+104.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake at Combourg avec hoodlums. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ey7o7hWDCXfhiRrRkS61Oi_EJ8rnPRZzFE90bJmBVSFaZOneyBKaM5yzp2I7i6tIJmQKHolx-qiC0TTd2JK1ynQ6m9GxpNphp63Wf06tfBT3JkKYxN8tFyxiPSz_9JodFVnDw29zm4/s1600/combourg+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ey7o7hWDCXfhiRrRkS61Oi_EJ8rnPRZzFE90bJmBVSFaZOneyBKaM5yzp2I7i6tIJmQKHolx-qiC0TTd2JK1ynQ6m9GxpNphp63Wf06tfBT3JkKYxN8tFyxiPSz_9JodFVnDw29zm4/s400/combourg+105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbpVW4wsBzN5rOEzah1wZk9KV4BmzvSZgODrL27ZyH7FNrr8VQJzMUGTlA8S41wtOLCKf6Jpimn0G8-Q3QiAJmW77o8NQ5c89R4KRwuaHdy_TCDhS0I9G8a1Iznj2mwVM7GUclYlAJr8/s1600/combourg+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbpVW4wsBzN5rOEzah1wZk9KV4BmzvSZgODrL27ZyH7FNrr8VQJzMUGTlA8S41wtOLCKf6Jpimn0G8-Q3QiAJmW77o8NQ5c89R4KRwuaHdy_TCDhS0I9G8a1Iznj2mwVM7GUclYlAJr8/s400/combourg+106.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast chicken, taters and blood sausage. Very fine china from Ikea as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Back in the car, we set off for Dinan with the intent of walking the old dirt path to Lehon. Along the way we saw signs for a Chateau(with giraffes!) so a side trip was in order. Before we got to the highway for the chateau, a cute little town called Melliac offered us a quick stop to look through the church and town square. Pretty church, not terribly old as near as we could tell(grave marker in floor read 1772 or something...bah!) but the wooden barrel vaulted ceiling was really quite incredible. We took just enough time to snap pics and jump back on the road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT_kRSEp-Q3DQCAI-OVZj6jBwyXvpA3r_NFS4Pg1n0T0KA5_O-YuUP2mkxL5cQbFdEQ30tfFR2rvmaq3Rcv9giS_xDMZ2nvXN0EsVBlIBMfxCHU7mhrt9n80YHY6v-evzFuQwJLcmFZQ/s1600/Melliac+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT_kRSEp-Q3DQCAI-OVZj6jBwyXvpA3r_NFS4Pg1n0T0KA5_O-YuUP2mkxL5cQbFdEQ30tfFR2rvmaq3Rcv9giS_xDMZ2nvXN0EsVBlIBMfxCHU7mhrt9n80YHY6v-evzFuQwJLcmFZQ/s640/Melliac+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3CUYguOzLiuSeGXsHOt5cTR1u4BnfYrAwVAFCTKRUq73l-4seFHYzQ6UaUB7Frkg0vWidYW6JjRC_qxrjx5-2yw8KjZ9Tt5jCmZuq1zU7q-8NNLjDs6M8a_Iwlt_UJUtNgbSjVUKkvA/s1600/Melliac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3CUYguOzLiuSeGXsHOt5cTR1u4BnfYrAwVAFCTKRUq73l-4seFHYzQ6UaUB7Frkg0vWidYW6JjRC_qxrjx5-2yw8KjZ9Tt5jCmZuq1zU7q-8NNLjDs6M8a_Iwlt_UJUtNgbSjVUKkvA/s400/Melliac.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeJw3l8ValFMDtPZxf7L98dzMI-iJN-Yaa7uHKBqEQ056h3NYCLQx0B1D1Td-Y3_T2dYGRug_QsMiOIsZjKo5Ajl6ExT2lCG3aVAtGjYLaiTrMgx3QvZioHp6yuT-m_7sNBhjtEck7zI/s1600/Melliac+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeJw3l8ValFMDtPZxf7L98dzMI-iJN-Yaa7uHKBqEQ056h3NYCLQx0B1D1Td-Y3_T2dYGRug_QsMiOIsZjKo5Ajl6ExT2lCG3aVAtGjYLaiTrMgx3QvZioHp6yuT-m_7sNBhjtEck7zI/s640/Melliac+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPcGntXR1rZ6mGRBeKXZ_SVC318N7E4cNStxlXUIBBkuLSIERDImqYPYklAS0JGjWFWeJLg1UPL092UvdhEVInwB2aHiSJCgq4fhivkQx0L4tPCVBR-UWRvdYpJQGP0TUWuCQjYcrHQE/s1600/melliac+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPcGntXR1rZ6mGRBeKXZ_SVC318N7E4cNStxlXUIBBkuLSIERDImqYPYklAS0JGjWFWeJLg1UPL092UvdhEVInwB2aHiSJCgq4fhivkQx0L4tPCVBR-UWRvdYpJQGP0TUWuCQjYcrHQE/s640/melliac+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Chateau was picturesque and the alley of trees lining the entrance was something out of a postcard. Pics were taken, much hilarity ensued. When we got the to the actual chateau we were horrified to find out they wanted $20 per person to walk through the house and grounds(with giraffes, no joke). Bit steep for us! $10 we will drop in a heartbeat, $20 for an hours tour is way out of line. So, back in the car.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvoTsqlKMvsr7zHKYKy2V-PNu6o28x3urit3BRwE19D-LAIx-kZMShLYUjMy6xeUkiutXd7qh4DqerLpXmXpGcfazleW9DRURs1u1sx0jiOyx1Itzn200QQ7nkLZtP5QzYxau5d56p-Q/s1600/CAH2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvoTsqlKMvsr7zHKYKy2V-PNu6o28x3urit3BRwE19D-LAIx-kZMShLYUjMy6xeUkiutXd7qh4DqerLpXmXpGcfazleW9DRURs1u1sx0jiOyx1Itzn200QQ7nkLZtP5QzYxau5d56p-Q/s640/CAH2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alley of trees lining road to Chateau.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznOxSgTYu03CqxHRDn6AggX4B6h5X7j4Qw_UXEcERBixWDGWveFdcauXFaEaaTKC1xxkpRCKNiXtzYoBxoFa5LSjxs-yajZLsUDpgYOySMMmPLnwa8VQ8h1p7DpN2ekYul2i6DYEMK9Y/s1600/CAH3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznOxSgTYu03CqxHRDn6AggX4B6h5X7j4Qw_UXEcERBixWDGWveFdcauXFaEaaTKC1xxkpRCKNiXtzYoBxoFa5LSjxs-yajZLsUDpgYOySMMmPLnwa8VQ8h1p7DpN2ekYul2i6DYEMK9Y/s400/CAH3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKN8tnEPJkr5x7Db8oAOre2ubRqQsKHiuPLDRtWzRqKAkn9LVjXVLFQWcPQVhI_z-72uUz_L393zSJ9EZKkWAWx7wC6_9ozMT-pL3QOqoCTV5s6Kg_kkAdEot99B_BLDbwr78DSgtT7c/s1600/Chateau+asshat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKN8tnEPJkr5x7Db8oAOre2ubRqQsKHiuPLDRtWzRqKAkn9LVjXVLFQWcPQVhI_z-72uUz_L393zSJ9EZKkWAWx7wC6_9ozMT-pL3QOqoCTV5s6Kg_kkAdEot99B_BLDbwr78DSgtT7c/s640/Chateau+asshat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4ZPrDroFDyNIwDSA-NpRJo0kUaurW1j7-RNVaw29TlU2SR-DfS55WnjlimCG77zXhsqlRIHpVB9kIcXxivZ-NjsArgTXQ5KEm3NvulxAvOpwghyphenhyphen4L2aKQZ8ktSlqSqLxw__fHDr8ZQ/s1600/DSCN0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4ZPrDroFDyNIwDSA-NpRJo0kUaurW1j7-RNVaw29TlU2SR-DfS55WnjlimCG77zXhsqlRIHpVB9kIcXxivZ-NjsArgTXQ5KEm3NvulxAvOpwghyphenhyphen4L2aKQZ8ktSlqSqLxw__fHDr8ZQ/s640/DSCN0638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Chateau Asshat avec Giraffes. They have a zoo apparently...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yet again the steering wheel jerked to the right forcing us off the highway to check out a little roadside chapel we have seen every time we went to Rennes. We assume it is called "Our Lady of Oh Hell I'm Lost in the Woods". If not, it is now... Cute little chapel, all locked up but we managed a pic of the simple little stone altar and flowers with a hand written sign saying simply, "Thank You". Someday we will find the story behind it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK4762WcO3qojxAFSN0bVSr2OXcqkIS-kKOxqXTzvI33ALpH8dkFkSAkQzv23Yp5dfH6ry1UGOrli2ln7uRUmBRyMzc6zkLU_RuE5FgvEzaNVLsCcQYOJ_s-v06sg6ZqdbLlmoGoTwGA/s1600/lost+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK4762WcO3qojxAFSN0bVSr2OXcqkIS-kKOxqXTzvI33ALpH8dkFkSAkQzv23Yp5dfH6ry1UGOrli2ln7uRUmBRyMzc6zkLU_RuE5FgvEzaNVLsCcQYOJ_s-v06sg6ZqdbLlmoGoTwGA/s320/lost+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Oh Hell I'm Lost in the Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtPtsyyh2VI5w75dUvue2MjNlyQJzXWoA7aXqV6yRK7Dc3W3VyqqjcjS0ZKc5Bg8LpIB8310l19wYvR0HSdsiWTq8hSSZN2fWrPo0Ps4fM97771hC9AgLQNAUlrpHwN6wa3xlkSmnFnk/s1600/lost+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtPtsyyh2VI5w75dUvue2MjNlyQJzXWoA7aXqV6yRK7Dc3W3VyqqjcjS0ZKc5Bg8LpIB8310l19wYvR0HSdsiWTq8hSSZN2fWrPo0Ps4fM97771hC9AgLQNAUlrpHwN6wa3xlkSmnFnk/s320/lost+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The altar, shot through the keyhole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Back in Dinan after a quick stop at the grocery(ok after an hour of goofing off in the funny French supermarket) we headed up the footpath to Lehon.<br />
<br />
Exiting by the car park under the viaduct, we followed the well worn path in the river bottom. Gardens plots, small Breton houses and at least one Troglodyte house(a classic form of French house half cut into a rock face or built into a natural cave) lined the river banks. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nx7z_xmZuaKUmfpE8TSgJ-5z00SFo4hob4vkwilrUKK0NW-6PcT6mm9pkuaArVgCsiueN75uBwkFSQyJ9bxFFgz73p8csZY0gdpUxUh1GP3Uki_ZwdnX5S-KOT8p85_Y58On1RgJbSQ/s1600/walk+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nx7z_xmZuaKUmfpE8TSgJ-5z00SFo4hob4vkwilrUKK0NW-6PcT6mm9pkuaArVgCsiueN75uBwkFSQyJ9bxFFgz73p8csZY0gdpUxUh1GP3Uki_ZwdnX5S-KOT8p85_Y58On1RgJbSQ/s400/walk+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUuKPQY0__Z1fEglyTv6jHfsJbo2_p4IDuaA-nhRfwyyVcp-huGoTAAl-N_qbvBET-QssfO7xZ4fU0ZpCwbAdJClT3lAWLJ1Jxt7Cz7hpgkFwwiBkoLgt9F5q6lXNy6Y0OWzDYF7P8KQ/s1600/walk+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUuKPQY0__Z1fEglyTv6jHfsJbo2_p4IDuaA-nhRfwyyVcp-huGoTAAl-N_qbvBET-QssfO7xZ4fU0ZpCwbAdJClT3lAWLJ1Jxt7Cz7hpgkFwwiBkoLgt9F5q6lXNy6Y0OWzDYF7P8KQ/s400/walk+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private garden allotments in the river valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-yT3L6fjcEcB9RaHp1Znif2UCdrEPUm2DkUEK29ta4QM6aJP6nLdxFGMlw7xeAnjUDz2o4_uQiHTE23nWpQBUHyl3gRFWlQWAhMURAYlimRKEuAZrTgNT3o9IeL8-7I0qvQ88dbbX7w/s1600/walk+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-yT3L6fjcEcB9RaHp1Znif2UCdrEPUm2DkUEK29ta4QM6aJP6nLdxFGMlw7xeAnjUDz2o4_uQiHTE23nWpQBUHyl3gRFWlQWAhMURAYlimRKEuAZrTgNT3o9IeL8-7I0qvQ88dbbX7w/s400/walk+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Troglodyte house built partially into the hard rock cliffs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The woods got deeper, more lush and spookier every step we took. This didn't look like France anymore. Lots of Jurassic Park and Predator references were made. "Makes Cambodia look like Kansas", etc...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAWp8-2Km7qZ7zM7ofWpGT1_kabP3SjwZBP82AbrWWoMsNJdpZ1gP4w5Ui11HbyH0GneRCldp4hf5q39F__if5Uc1E4vuJK0B-EnM5eDWGPDhTCskfzjj_D0ho6B9akZCoyuPDvUm45s/s1600/w1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAWp8-2Km7qZ7zM7ofWpGT1_kabP3SjwZBP82AbrWWoMsNJdpZ1gP4w5Ui11HbyH0GneRCldp4hf5q39F__if5Uc1E4vuJK0B-EnM5eDWGPDhTCskfzjj_D0ho6B9akZCoyuPDvUm45s/s640/w1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures really don't do this mess justice. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEAo6yeMmItbOlcFOnp7yDMzdKGZBjer6ZEkob7IUm701wcanl9M3tXEicCbVsF-kkXXhfMEaNF6GYh4QV6f8h1T-FkgMiRShsYVva9fmIzHgGSNutRi7XsBBndbgHZ8Lcp-GiNlmf3I/s1600/w2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEAo6yeMmItbOlcFOnp7yDMzdKGZBjer6ZEkob7IUm701wcanl9M3tXEicCbVsF-kkXXhfMEaNF6GYh4QV6f8h1T-FkgMiRShsYVva9fmIzHgGSNutRi7XsBBndbgHZ8Lcp-GiNlmf3I/s400/w2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Halfway there we came across something we never had any clue existed. None of the guide books mention it, none of the locals told us about it. Sometime in the past, poplar trees had been planted in regular rows along the banks of the Rance, possibly to control soil erosion or other issues. Whatever the reason, the effect now is a cathedral of trees reaching to the heavens. Dead silent, a gentle wind knocking leaves off the trees, it was by far the most peaceful and glorious place we have been in years. A hidden gem, just a few minutes walk from our front door.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ0nVFyco_46Rh_b47GIW8bA0YVU3bh-VAQG7xutVA55DNbE11P6GSr4TXkqkyNfYj5OPb4aiB1KtXN3n03-IRX4OTYsFjhWriOveNK_oYdD8S9n2Zc10V-a9lBqQEGHoxW4pydr46g0/s1600/w5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ0nVFyco_46Rh_b47GIW8bA0YVU3bh-VAQG7xutVA55DNbE11P6GSr4TXkqkyNfYj5OPb4aiB1KtXN3n03-IRX4OTYsFjhWriOveNK_oYdD8S9n2Zc10V-a9lBqQEGHoxW4pydr46g0/s640/w5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and Kim at the Alley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPQ0_uxMNWRg1Id_D01-iYDxou8ADOTEavfmUP3QLopaI9-D0gl1uw5d12QulBaDq3CB80b47YY90Kk0_RiFDwI3SmE8x8C80wQhy0qvZa3hgE_m9_yBgN1Uqu4w9d3VPRiL-ZetJSso/s1600/w4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPQ0_uxMNWRg1Id_D01-iYDxou8ADOTEavfmUP3QLopaI9-D0gl1uw5d12QulBaDq3CB80b47YY90Kk0_RiFDwI3SmE8x8C80wQhy0qvZa3hgE_m9_yBgN1Uqu4w9d3VPRiL-ZetJSso/s640/w4.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poplars, ancient oaks and ivy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU459_8PoxnQ0ujAEsJSuCK_mUsRF8lnQAlQULcgRCSauvGIIkj9StY3NBwfiXSWinMl_ln0N2ZKWkQDS-h_P90fgwIUwJi1IwogxoOYraFAqj1buwlVgGOYZ_iM2-4cNImsuiwEC6-Dw/s1600/w3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU459_8PoxnQ0ujAEsJSuCK_mUsRF8lnQAlQULcgRCSauvGIIkj9StY3NBwfiXSWinMl_ln0N2ZKWkQDS-h_P90fgwIUwJi1IwogxoOYraFAqj1buwlVgGOYZ_iM2-4cNImsuiwEC6-Dw/s640/w3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHMRhrI1mHmgPVIMJS7F66mlGAwgc4gBJoAwEX1TnU4cgV5JhvqQwZYtaILalHiH8zZxCWbOgKntoz1yOYqXZx7JjWyLmXZIuz3atKUN0p7FOs70VlO7UaZ0ihyphenhyphenW4B3uPNVhMW9qds4A/s1600/w6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHMRhrI1mHmgPVIMJS7F66mlGAwgc4gBJoAwEX1TnU4cgV5JhvqQwZYtaILalHiH8zZxCWbOgKntoz1yOYqXZx7JjWyLmXZIuz3atKUN0p7FOs70VlO7UaZ0ihyphenhyphenW4B3uPNVhMW9qds4A/s640/w6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCYuHkhcZGO2od-kayfJsrR8X8T-6Giq_gZ612lFZVHmLeS7bCVUbYiix6G0BnzMlbNUJkpelYrvlJAmpvWuodExFqfKdzOwATx2Md6dRjD1Hssft4Hhl7XwsYnoZOIiZtrf4pbSmajA/s1600/w8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCYuHkhcZGO2od-kayfJsrR8X8T-6Giq_gZ612lFZVHmLeS7bCVUbYiix6G0BnzMlbNUJkpelYrvlJAmpvWuodExFqfKdzOwATx2Md6dRjD1Hssft4Hhl7XwsYnoZOIiZtrf4pbSmajA/s640/w8.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral of Poplars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our walk slowed as we marveled at the canopy above us. It probably took us longer to get through the alley of poplars. Hundreds of pictures were taken, and there was an embarrassing amount of just standing and staring at the wonders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Once in Lehon, we took the time to fully explore the little town and found even more charming homes on the other side of the Abbey. This is a town we could live in quite happily!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ7cqcXm9_paaBrR1wW7JulfhcFOuCCQOyiaoFISmR46HdBp6-Get7qC7rKdYvgdEudRrUHhbOoMRVHWvLAwGgxnz-xTejMcHhQgCkngrOCWc5NklunE45Q6ZzsB8rNNOIyOHGt67e0k/s1600/lehon+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ7cqcXm9_paaBrR1wW7JulfhcFOuCCQOyiaoFISmR46HdBp6-Get7qC7rKdYvgdEudRrUHhbOoMRVHWvLAwGgxnz-xTejMcHhQgCkngrOCWc5NklunE45Q6ZzsB8rNNOIyOHGt67e0k/s400/lehon+101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1fCkFui71FM_SYwf9Y7ttA1Aqv8iFKyeoFGiCMLSK_7XSkGCzXPcbv57AuUEzhBPm_pLhSE29R0w5ImzUliGNm26uGMVjdNwsQzIvJabNzWdA-RvtBpgbV9Y2lsgCzJe9ZTjk_jHV2o/s1600/lehon+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1fCkFui71FM_SYwf9Y7ttA1Aqv8iFKyeoFGiCMLSK_7XSkGCzXPcbv57AuUEzhBPm_pLhSE29R0w5ImzUliGNm26uGMVjdNwsQzIvJabNzWdA-RvtBpgbV9Y2lsgCzJe9ZTjk_jHV2o/s400/lehon+104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiQxtC3dFVj7PctG_5U3KP0kmqoIb2LDaX3Ci7Evsr-FViyxiq437XbDyp-QxJzCmsckyuvjziSf9ZTOO_yt9eFnnEy9H6MHWrMiubRRqH1GiITBvQmgNGa3ImEvkSSJ0vuJwEOOTGnA/s1600/lehon+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiQxtC3dFVj7PctG_5U3KP0kmqoIb2LDaX3Ci7Evsr-FViyxiq437XbDyp-QxJzCmsckyuvjziSf9ZTOO_yt9eFnnEy9H6MHWrMiubRRqH1GiITBvQmgNGa3ImEvkSSJ0vuJwEOOTGnA/s400/lehon+102.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7y3xnGojx98leP8wZwzWLfovOJo15zCHGzHfXf_ptkToRaIIH0hdR1GDgKlyfJHVOBww_5g4fYNvrkMoU-d1A5LVIjAO1-Fo-4rO-GYOc1VFpN_WvammBjvqalUD8jy0vU1zzPqv4wU/s1600/lehon+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7y3xnGojx98leP8wZwzWLfovOJo15zCHGzHfXf_ptkToRaIIH0hdR1GDgKlyfJHVOBww_5g4fYNvrkMoU-d1A5LVIjAO1-Fo-4rO-GYOc1VFpN_WvammBjvqalUD8jy0vU1zzPqv4wU/s400/lehon+107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1oNP7VwUYjS3sbWLaQG7TCU67SMbZ7pUg_D4Godq5rpnIbJdwHv7iFAde8pU0BwmOtrQ4ksCXMyDp7JLnCEiiWBl73OGAKuhSMxvXCLF_Oxcptc6xKvESf4C_nrUJulRvUUxhfOM0M/s1600/lehon+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1oNP7VwUYjS3sbWLaQG7TCU67SMbZ7pUg_D4Godq5rpnIbJdwHv7iFAde8pU0BwmOtrQ4ksCXMyDp7JLnCEiiWBl73OGAKuhSMxvXCLF_Oxcptc6xKvESf4C_nrUJulRvUUxhfOM0M/s640/lehon+109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This needs to be our new hometown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back at the Abbey, Kim and Ryan took the time to snap even more pics and we damn near had an international incident when Kim could not keep her damn jam hands off the 12th century baptismal font. I swear, some people you cannot take anywhere!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3UyLhM_u-RhNecguy6rIL2v-ILyk21MiAj_0yRGlsdQ66fIvcG4DhEY_qKJVUw9UnCuyrJKl2vrESyrnSIrsU88TkkNAYJD7E4lGbUL6WFTApYaIiMWfIVMhAH6OfYpqn7ntSacW1WQ/s1600/dammit+kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3UyLhM_u-RhNecguy6rIL2v-ILyk21MiAj_0yRGlsdQ66fIvcG4DhEY_qKJVUw9UnCuyrJKl2vrESyrnSIrsU88TkkNAYJD7E4lGbUL6WFTApYaIiMWfIVMhAH6OfYpqn7ntSacW1WQ/s640/dammit+kim.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seconds before the French Antiquities Gendarmes hit her from 3 directions with tazers and dogs. Big dogs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We bailed Kim out of prison and promised to take her right home. Instead we went over to a lovely little bar that sits in the shadows of the fortifications of Fort Lehon. Not bad at all. Having a cidre and wine while gazing up at 14th century defenses doesn't suck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0LX1iq44tGuItlDfS1sbXuru6MPREaZ6fL4E2PIU5OIETfQjt9KyB__rK3u-xAKoyG0lWHgEbcftaVpI1zpARlfRi55cBH5UCugyGmdc0NckSU3MNZLcsDH4EjqG3N_Re65bIz95zM4/s1600/DSCN0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0LX1iq44tGuItlDfS1sbXuru6MPREaZ6fL4E2PIU5OIETfQjt9KyB__rK3u-xAKoyG0lWHgEbcftaVpI1zpARlfRi55cBH5UCugyGmdc0NckSU3MNZLcsDH4EjqG3N_Re65bIz95zM4/s400/DSCN0708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Fortified with drinks and a chocolate bar, we hiked the broken and uneven steps up to the top of the fort. Massive stone towers and a beautiful grassy courtyard we ours to play on all alone. Unfortunately the restoration work back in the early 2000s was done to preserve the fort as is, not to restore it to any historical accuracy. Still, it was a great treat to stand at the top of history and fantasize about holding a tournament there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HVUjm0kLcEiDoXDj6AoLjL2_LQGYXkFgz5sASVWNF4I-UigmTPAP_KSIJ4hfmELVRXpwvSI0EVyGh6hQZTpawgw4gUL7LbR2H1UlVK0hWBY1NBmbDkYfdRbz9maa2h-tYokLHL6XPO8/s1600/DSCN0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HVUjm0kLcEiDoXDj6AoLjL2_LQGYXkFgz5sASVWNF4I-UigmTPAP_KSIJ4hfmELVRXpwvSI0EVyGh6hQZTpawgw4gUL7LbR2H1UlVK0hWBY1NBmbDkYfdRbz9maa2h-tYokLHL6XPO8/s400/DSCN0710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU7E5sCe8gwj8J859RNttysFT8URjGQIdiolqIZmzI1FEUDfVycdCeMoRFEAFQ7XjU-v6OihzS-MObWLQEd2YAUISrTnmztP0XYHhnWoUK5WXE_YGAa0ucAl_9bdHm5WKubZcTjOtH60/s1600/DSCN0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU7E5sCe8gwj8J859RNttysFT8URjGQIdiolqIZmzI1FEUDfVycdCeMoRFEAFQ7XjU-v6OihzS-MObWLQEd2YAUISrTnmztP0XYHhnWoUK5WXE_YGAa0ucAl_9bdHm5WKubZcTjOtH60/s400/DSCN0713.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdcUgFmK1J67xe21tz0CFY0nqWltDjnxY07HF-o7aRgUCyjEaMaHA1UeEExB4-oRJj9zA03mvenIZcxK_1ljPrgH47aMTwRcNIibeMtPqWYBT_2kikL6E6wYHw7XH2iKP-o4MNEUSHHs/s1600/DSCN0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdcUgFmK1J67xe21tz0CFY0nqWltDjnxY07HF-o7aRgUCyjEaMaHA1UeEExB4-oRJj9zA03mvenIZcxK_1ljPrgH47aMTwRcNIibeMtPqWYBT_2kikL6E6wYHw7XH2iKP-o4MNEUSHHs/s400/DSCN0723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back down the hill from the fort, we stopped for another round of pics in Lehon before the walk back to Dinan. Once again we got lost in the wonder of the woods, taking far more time than a casual stroll would normally take, but it was so well worth it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywUIEBnkxhrrSQOlQod8Su4_aZgNlIeVIe099SSMuJDQvRsaOtMs0AGg3UTt7dTtQE-jZRkoxHOE5VKuV9YvO8bbQhol3Ibyx7HnM8GVOxSUCAGrQpeqFx18q_H9AdR3yxSe5m9ZT6XU/s1600/w7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywUIEBnkxhrrSQOlQod8Su4_aZgNlIeVIe099SSMuJDQvRsaOtMs0AGg3UTt7dTtQE-jZRkoxHOE5VKuV9YvO8bbQhol3Ibyx7HnM8GVOxSUCAGrQpeqFx18q_H9AdR3yxSe5m9ZT6XU/s640/w7.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awwwwwwwww.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At home we went through pics, made mac and cheese with compte' cheese, pulled bbq chicken from our leftover lunch and a nice salad. Most were in bed early again.<br />
<br />
That was an amazing day. A perfect balance of driving, spontaneous sight seeing, hiking and surprises.<br />
<br />
A day like Monday is why we travel.Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-36088048516053446642013-09-30T00:27:00.002-07:002013-09-30T00:27:30.379-07:00Another Goodbye and Pirate Hijinks (Sunday 9.29.2013)Sunday morning was a blurry wake up and a run to Rennes to take Michael and Donna to the TGV station for their trip back to Paris. We are disappointed that they could only stay a few days, but apparently Paris is pretty amazing. We had a ton of fun and laughs and we will miss them around the house.<br />
<br />
Kim and Ryan took off to tour Fort Le Latte and St. Malo while we were in Rennes. By all accounts they had a splendid time at Le Latte and took the time for a roadside diversion to a tumble down castle ruin along the way.<br />
<br />
St Malo, the city of Corsairs is a perfect chance for Ryan to get his pirate on for the afternoon. There was much wall climbing, ship stealing, museum rummaging, etc. Soon after their return, the French Govt in conjunction with the US Consulate in Rennes dropped by to politely ask that "Pirate Man"(their words, not mine) not come back anytime soon and to announce in a major press conference that the wearing of "do-rags" is now punishable by 5 years in the Foreign Legion.<br />
<br />
Merde...<br />
<br />
P.S. Pics will be posted if and when "Pirate Man" emails them to me.Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-56623374540155091532013-09-29T04:42:00.002-07:002013-09-29T04:42:27.878-07:00About Town (Saturday 9.28.2013)Saturday was a lazy day of shopping, napping and cooking. Most of us went up to Dinan proper to swing by the butcher and the grocery store for dinner fixins and Sunday supplies. Niters stayed home to do work stuffs, probably glad to have the house to herself for a while.<br />
<br />
Michael, and I purchased yet another Porc Savorard from Emmanuel at the butcher shop, and we gathered up the rest to walk to the grocery. Several baskets of food later(and smelly hippies clinking their drinks against Michael's 4 bottles of cidre in salute) I went back to the house while Kim, Ryan, Michael and Donna explored town.<br />
<br />
Late afternoon brought quiet naps and some relaxing downtime. <br />
<br />
In the early evening we threw the roast into the oven, made a terrific salad and smashed taters. Pirate cookies and coffee finished the meal perfectly. Yes, pirate cookies. Don't be a hater.<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-91369223426164624532013-09-28T02:27:00.000-07:002013-10-01T03:59:05.237-07:00Cancale, Mont-Saint-Michel and Lehon (Friday 9.27.2013)Friday turned out to be yet another magical day. For most of us at least...<br />
<br />
Cancale for an oyster lunch was first on the to-do list, so we jumped in the cars for the half hour ramble through the countryside to the coast. Nita packed a long a basket of cidre, wine and other essentials to make our seaside lunch more pleasant. Swooping the stalls, we all sat down on the sea wall to entertain France with our very best raccoon impersonations. We got a thumbs up from the nice lady I like to buy oysters from when she saw us opening bottles of cidre and wine so I guess we are doing it right.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO_EMTqxaUq4Mj_w57rtCta_MHEAYoa8-JMPxCJJnG-aPbmOS2fq9hFNOcf6aRnk3Xsyetme0QGpWw88nm-ENuqP1ubxJAOEVfeuTFfK64BOHdqVFfGFZLeMkJcdOGvLf1bzB4HhFHew/s1600/cancale+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO_EMTqxaUq4Mj_w57rtCta_MHEAYoa8-JMPxCJJnG-aPbmOS2fq9hFNOcf6aRnk3Xsyetme0QGpWw88nm-ENuqP1ubxJAOEVfeuTFfK64BOHdqVFfGFZLeMkJcdOGvLf1bzB4HhFHew/s400/cancale+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whats left of a dozen oysters. Damn raccoons...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3OM_4wNAbv7Cc2gDcfaj0m03ETxuKlH2o-BnDR_0yS5QmhqMAsN6jY1IFEeaDLmKa6M-pKi3a1cL8fRHJq6izSQA_X11Scgqgk3hY3jGNCTFv-VoY7Gm4Ccf1oiQ_Tx4KLBWRxjHsVM/s1600/Cancale+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3OM_4wNAbv7Cc2gDcfaj0m03ETxuKlH2o-BnDR_0yS5QmhqMAsN6jY1IFEeaDLmKa6M-pKi3a1cL8fRHJq6izSQA_X11Scgqgk3hY3jGNCTFv-VoY7Gm4Ccf1oiQ_Tx4KLBWRxjHsVM/s640/Cancale+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing it right with cidre and wine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtW7xr8ZfQflmV5V6WCNGxpqsIO_Ur5yLmWzYMyI9BWPXeKDeE4DZz7VM2eRkr8XraiqYygIzEvSjsMDKQ4Hy_T-RSoxAKLUF1PSZcmanwf1caIYZE5dUDmGXDD_QuSLx-VUBNGhhLMY/s1600/Cancale+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtW7xr8ZfQflmV5V6WCNGxpqsIO_Ur5yLmWzYMyI9BWPXeKDeE4DZz7VM2eRkr8XraiqYygIzEvSjsMDKQ4Hy_T-RSoxAKLUF1PSZcmanwf1caIYZE5dUDmGXDD_QuSLx-VUBNGhhLMY/s320/Cancale+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal oyster pro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After a stroll down the boardwalk, we trooped back to the cars and split up for the rest of the day. Michael, Donna, Kim and Ryan headed off for Mont-Saint-Michel while Nita and I explored Cancale city center.<br />
<br />
It didn't take long.<br />
<br />
Cancale proper is quaint as hell with an adorable little town square at the foot of the church. We threw the Peugeot into the church parking lot and took a stroll about the town. Second lunch was quick but tasty bar sammiches and Breton Cola. Tasty stuff.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfCIf_zfPLJieYE56TY7l7woWbCa7URT0YUsy_u5uV2mUzSyO-gzhdL7SiFihU1ZCtkRFzIA5_sgWWdxgOZVBXMI_PezBXJUq5TQk0W8RixKlU9nryTvufafihLHVYgPw0McC0nyp4Zc/s1600/IMG_20130927_133920_928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfCIf_zfPLJieYE56TY7l7woWbCa7URT0YUsy_u5uV2mUzSyO-gzhdL7SiFihU1ZCtkRFzIA5_sgWWdxgOZVBXMI_PezBXJUq5TQk0W8RixKlU9nryTvufafihLHVYgPw0McC0nyp4Zc/s320/IMG_20130927_133920_928.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baguette sammich and a Breton Cola.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZn9_5hiDJzwQzw5TiXAikDyxV8RKv_kqnGfAVNlXW4SyETigxGRDUDEUvZq6NBTFm8npZVUy85_w47LLHpbpXGSIzlSpCc8kIsGCi9wUkiPQGZsx4ZdOSkdCGhbuLoUJjBUDz-CMLNk/s1600/Cancale+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZn9_5hiDJzwQzw5TiXAikDyxV8RKv_kqnGfAVNlXW4SyETigxGRDUDEUvZq6NBTFm8npZVUy85_w47LLHpbpXGSIzlSpCc8kIsGCi9wUkiPQGZsx4ZdOSkdCGhbuLoUJjBUDz-CMLNk/s400/Cancale+3.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral in Cancale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrlEvs9yrHls_4HBt_rHu_6g8mqeCbsgy6ibCrk3I8ophgBCq_zTpmeKdoRJCJlGt0Nz8KG-alGIoR1L6bwMxmxyv82wPQ9XPA4pvcgaDpibsqw5YdC8zWxdOQhAMyuJG0h-mUvrQ2uU/s1600/Cancale+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrlEvs9yrHls_4HBt_rHu_6g8mqeCbsgy6ibCrk3I8ophgBCq_zTpmeKdoRJCJlGt0Nz8KG-alGIoR1L6bwMxmxyv82wPQ9XPA4pvcgaDpibsqw5YdC8zWxdOQhAMyuJG0h-mUvrQ2uU/s640/Cancale+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oyster Women of Cancale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
On the way home from Cancale we got all adventurous and detoured to the tiny village of Lehon. From looking at the map, it seems that Lehon is just a short distance from Dinan. Well it is. Its about 10 feet from Dinan but took us a while of wandering down random roads to find it.<br />
<br />
Lehon is the site of a fort dating back to a mott and bailey structure in the 10th cent. Over the centuries, the fortifications were improved to full stone fortifications. At some point, the Duke of Brittany gave the fort to the Abbot of Lehon who gleefully started pulling it down to use the stones for repairing and enlarging the Abbey of Lehon in the river valley below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKTXEVXW762RzvkzkgPSXhy-7n-qNTmAZO7eMnWplErno3WiKG1jXP1WKCvD3exVTrnhrjw9btegc0x46Fr9P3upzwr9eRGScO43MIvLeRiJvq9-XIYuOITolbbN1TxLvayujaIx4Mg/s1600/Lehon+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKTXEVXW762RzvkzkgPSXhy-7n-qNTmAZO7eMnWplErno3WiKG1jXP1WKCvD3exVTrnhrjw9btegc0x46Fr9P3upzwr9eRGScO43MIvLeRiJvq9-XIYuOITolbbN1TxLvayujaIx4Mg/s640/Lehon+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortress of Lehon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii80ZR9-DPAcOoWWvYKVtk2i3XwHh9VgpCuA8y-YlEe-4hKs2qFPy143oAuNRj25deAhedIA_RfnfMlnGWWZC5F1T5_-mELy6eXYwpQID7Wczr1nWjDHnXZ4stzv1r9CS4VNVNz-aNZKc/s1600/Lahon+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii80ZR9-DPAcOoWWvYKVtk2i3XwHh9VgpCuA8y-YlEe-4hKs2qFPy143oAuNRj25deAhedIA_RfnfMlnGWWZC5F1T5_-mELy6eXYwpQID7Wczr1nWjDHnXZ4stzv1r9CS4VNVNz-aNZKc/s400/Lahon+12.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Abbey of Lehon is a beautiful cluster of stone and slate huddled along the river Rance. Closed for the season we could not tour the abbey buildings proper, but the cloister gardens and small cathedral were open for a stroll. The gardens were still in flower and the sound of the bees on the mint was noticeable from 10 feet away. We walked about the gardens, ancient stone buttresses above our heads, the sun and clouds playing tricks with shadows. It is a very beautiful and somber place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo5hqcyBytLfaU_BJPPnXBBjhjw0sl8cGAXyTPmcWcrDOBmr7pbucxF10CgKpHwHI8oYZFd8f_qWpZELrnj0w9kUndft44g2-OplhOjiVmN6F9wLcn3gb9ZlPq13QR5Nh4Xsa5yNdgjg/s1600/Lehon+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo5hqcyBytLfaU_BJPPnXBBjhjw0sl8cGAXyTPmcWcrDOBmr7pbucxF10CgKpHwHI8oYZFd8f_qWpZELrnj0w9kUndft44g2-OplhOjiVmN6F9wLcn3gb9ZlPq13QR5Nh4Xsa5yNdgjg/s640/Lehon+10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4OG2u1qavdAiRWD7ABsPoYEHVCEty-1UL38JWHbqcueT1irje6NO05NnJvXsYa8fTuFkVZjJ1PWj-UzsgAbIs6eBR6XIQiJYubzceohzZ71RPrn4FNtzhbQLl52buQGZx3FY0HADnTo/s1600/Lehon+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4OG2u1qavdAiRWD7ABsPoYEHVCEty-1UL38JWHbqcueT1irje6NO05NnJvXsYa8fTuFkVZjJ1PWj-UzsgAbIs6eBR6XIQiJYubzceohzZ71RPrn4FNtzhbQLl52buQGZx3FY0HADnTo/s640/Lehon+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxE31dn-x_spuR_Jn1xWf6oH_I6tRgEZ9gGoBy575J2tDDzFiU_L0E0EVcqbOhiqA38l_FKPtkuA330u1KBeLx6OvkDmDhDIw08YyHuMOpH79zVKBkYSoIxPhC_bFvZ50p-wKrvGm_QQ/s1600/Lahon+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxE31dn-x_spuR_Jn1xWf6oH_I6tRgEZ9gGoBy575J2tDDzFiU_L0E0EVcqbOhiqA38l_FKPtkuA330u1KBeLx6OvkDmDhDIw08YyHuMOpH79zVKBkYSoIxPhC_bFvZ50p-wKrvGm_QQ/s640/Lahon+13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuq6XKKSVBuxzZ96Du5x783vBNaVFkqBGqoJXHxnQK8ZXGsnU2aRK5EOkmJk9FVGEfB_7M9RopQPbX7-jThWOavuUdnjSTgHZSUs0Aaxapc0HtyWlRGPkEhPqrMBqeS4ySk5gN-_bzoo/s1600/Lehon+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuq6XKKSVBuxzZ96Du5x783vBNaVFkqBGqoJXHxnQK8ZXGsnU2aRK5EOkmJk9FVGEfB_7M9RopQPbX7-jThWOavuUdnjSTgHZSUs0Aaxapc0HtyWlRGPkEhPqrMBqeS4ySk5gN-_bzoo/s640/Lehon+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5mXppeqhx8A6g95KHPPtpCgigAiCSyqOMXXX-IoEe8FlsWpusrbF0ZCM2bqkYfSJH1uELDUw5PRmPXAFxWxpE2Q-qge-djcEZOF7dsiui3qH4diDkbxclljb02eSkoAfkThGadsccSA/s1600/Lehon+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5mXppeqhx8A6g95KHPPtpCgigAiCSyqOMXXX-IoEe8FlsWpusrbF0ZCM2bqkYfSJH1uELDUw5PRmPXAFxWxpE2Q-qge-djcEZOF7dsiui3qH4diDkbxclljb02eSkoAfkThGadsccSA/s640/Lehon+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6UBmnQioxp_EjhulSDS8S125WOaBqh6hc2XO6MDDhoVb5o_6YTCObV1RFkJOq3CbilbF2MfndQDUpBHLRy3yE_LaxBIgm2J3Qo1JEZfKD9TOnkQpwpnQEg5o29SFNZLi2RXv9PAGx7I/s1600/Lehon+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6UBmnQioxp_EjhulSDS8S125WOaBqh6hc2XO6MDDhoVb5o_6YTCObV1RFkJOq3CbilbF2MfndQDUpBHLRy3yE_LaxBIgm2J3Qo1JEZfKD9TOnkQpwpnQEg5o29SFNZLi2RXv9PAGx7I/s640/Lehon+7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwkay4mH_jDePZYbG6HoTSpg67c0RWUO_qvtdL3dow7HHb8Ch51fGV3RpaCL6-a3foh2Kugb_ioUGU9mXRj_-1uUOjIrKrqzg3XiYY_y-sUsVny6lCIgANOfmmj7N-cneq3gRoW5IVqQ/s1600/Lehon+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwkay4mH_jDePZYbG6HoTSpg67c0RWUO_qvtdL3dow7HHb8Ch51fGV3RpaCL6-a3foh2Kugb_ioUGU9mXRj_-1uUOjIrKrqzg3XiYY_y-sUsVny6lCIgANOfmmj7N-cneq3gRoW5IVqQ/s640/Lehon+8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the small cathedral, 10th century artifacts are still used for daily mass. Tombs of local knights line each wall, their effigies carved from local granite while a gold and mica panel reliquary holding the bones of a couple unnamed saints.<br />
<br />
We had the abbey and cathedral all to ourselves. No other tourists, workers, locals. Just us. It was a very special time. <br />
<br />
Walking down to the river from the abbey we found the river Rance mooching along the valley bottom. Along the way we found a house with the oddest, copper scallop shell roofing over its porch. I have been ordered to recreate that effect on our house in Shawnee. (Fine, but its gonna wear the numbers right off the American Express)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BCycTtZReDYFCj2mFb0ylT9HKQcxpoiwV37D0-bKXMb3kJwZZ5SnznRCJs0icuDsK-XbcVfqcREU_FzosXLVf2kwFvczlIIfRIc3VCb9OUFLYJZbaVs8uV7m7VrdAyr9gfQ6Wszbevo/s1600/Lehon+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BCycTtZReDYFCj2mFb0ylT9HKQcxpoiwV37D0-bKXMb3kJwZZ5SnznRCJs0icuDsK-XbcVfqcREU_FzosXLVf2kwFvczlIIfRIc3VCb9OUFLYJZbaVs8uV7m7VrdAyr9gfQ6Wszbevo/s640/Lehon+11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper shellfish roofing. We want this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Lehon is the location of one of the small locks that control access up and down the Rance. As we watched, a small boat sailed into the lock to begin the transfer to Dinan. Time was pressing so we left them to their work and make our way back to the car.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH20WBFNbTcsLIji9cyw02YRtgVC1Wi9plm6eN-3Vx8m-NeBHC6MjhZqRcJUS1tsqqy1pTeRIe8kizd9CWFNqZY0LnQBDfZ7wgUL2J1iKUpXsZk4ldfATnbijN4-N9HZLiWFOgIeAs4Ts/s1600/Lehon+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH20WBFNbTcsLIji9cyw02YRtgVC1Wi9plm6eN-3Vx8m-NeBHC6MjhZqRcJUS1tsqqy1pTeRIe8kizd9CWFNqZY0LnQBDfZ7wgUL2J1iKUpXsZk4ldfATnbijN4-N9HZLiWFOgIeAs4Ts/s640/Lehon+9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private boat heading for the lock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back that the house, the rest of the crew wandered in and let us in on their adventures at Mont-Saint-Michel. Most had a great time, but Donna was suffering the flux. Never fun when you are traveling.<br />
<br />
Donna was tucked into bed and the rest of us went to the port for dinner. 2 bottles of wine and a lazy dinner later we made it back home to bed.<br />
<br />
Another magical freaking day!Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-88976024254179734352013-09-27T01:26:00.001-07:002013-09-27T01:26:54.030-07:00Chokes and Ladders (Thursday 9.26.2013)As usual, Thursday was market day. Hordes of hungry, hungry Frogs heading to the grand parking lot that was once a medieval tournament field is a grand spectacle.<br />
<br />
After brekkers, we hired several surly Sherpas and made our way up THE HILL(tm). The market was teaming with not only the usual vendors and crowds of French, but roving bands of little UK hooligans on a school holiday. Amazingly rude little bastards they was. They had a habit of attempting to haggle down the sellers in some most unsavory ways. I had the urge to give several of them a clip about the ear hole once or twice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl7CipH5TNIMoJv8tOuUltZssd7fPuFaQP4L-zz63CErDJgqAFzjw_tP1ZBsCC_d4Vv2pquOU3FCWgRPzkZWZF8ebPRTjbs8rFbCTSKlDfUbPNuwf6eF4VfoLZZMx6ir7hD8Mf8xnfJU/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl7CipH5TNIMoJv8tOuUltZssd7fPuFaQP4L-zz63CErDJgqAFzjw_tP1ZBsCC_d4Vv2pquOU3FCWgRPzkZWZF8ebPRTjbs8rFbCTSKlDfUbPNuwf6eF4VfoLZZMx6ir7hD8Mf8xnfJU/s400/IMG_2307.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surly Sherpas </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Properly provisioned with cheese, artichokes and fruits, we took the side streets over to Monoprix to load up on wine and weird sugery/milk crap for Ryan's coffee.(I deeply suspect it is actually bathtub caulk, but he seems happy)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZkQj05ifSqZhvDUa-UoerPRjCoEEwEPYQGC7sZByluFUljpx-SXAMLZe3OfYUqUMVoo0XJN6gycNxg8K3s5_LCW67Zcy5Ma2R38ftwvCB6YgPUkDbUnO_GhSjCKJ1F7Xed8LyERbYvc/s1600/IMG_20130926_113312_795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZkQj05ifSqZhvDUa-UoerPRjCoEEwEPYQGC7sZByluFUljpx-SXAMLZe3OfYUqUMVoo0XJN6gycNxg8K3s5_LCW67Zcy5Ma2R38ftwvCB6YgPUkDbUnO_GhSjCKJ1F7Xed8LyERbYvc/s640/IMG_20130926_113312_795.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Dinan house near the market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the way down THE HILL we opted to swing by the ramparts and gaze down to the river. Just down from the Jerzual Gate, there were some men installing a new chimney cap on a large, 3 story home. Their ladder setup was a thing of horrifying beauty. Next to the old wooden piece o' crap they were using on the roof itself to get across the slates, it was a marvel of modern technology.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyV3zBVjOem3bkp8mjtt2_Naib_O3C_1kjek8pbO2sFjQvOhIV4lNAFzGAtX_2IoJu0-vVYNKL_YFnPR3F1WiSsWh6v_wCJr2FMN58FEaPC2Fskzj1Bk9_ZJcqweG6WmIG4nO4H_GoNY/s1600/IMG_2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyV3zBVjOem3bkp8mjtt2_Naib_O3C_1kjek8pbO2sFjQvOhIV4lNAFzGAtX_2IoJu0-vVYNKL_YFnPR3F1WiSsWh6v_wCJr2FMN58FEaPC2Fskzj1Bk9_ZJcqweG6WmIG4nO4H_GoNY/s640/IMG_2344.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cultural Ambassadors to Dinan(Calontir Division)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQzI8DH9_fBYHXT5unIHTVQUcK8_r4ftivkE_CkcA-k5wVUVBZqIUYnVzyleNE8AKKPDD1NGDQcjvWpySWLG3evlIewqbMK5m0Z0ymCQocjOPXor-OaJU9AYpeFEOStQE_LY0RhN5AvA/s1600/IMG_20130926_112709_222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQzI8DH9_fBYHXT5unIHTVQUcK8_r4ftivkE_CkcA-k5wVUVBZqIUYnVzyleNE8AKKPDD1NGDQcjvWpySWLG3evlIewqbMK5m0Z0ymCQocjOPXor-OaJU9AYpeFEOStQE_LY0RhN5AvA/s400/IMG_20130926_112709_222.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinI018CBKOm04py8wwCgjeyJLHNNIgAsVBo0iB_CkgeY-VDLShIV6jN1WjwoMt6OMlu0XEdcvc_K8EWiGD1PEqzg_Z1WBZskJQprMUalkU3SbPgeArR9AaAix5L_cXV5yiBbgduZENXug/s1600/IMG_20130926_145744_845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinI018CBKOm04py8wwCgjeyJLHNNIgAsVBo0iB_CkgeY-VDLShIV6jN1WjwoMt6OMlu0XEdcvc_K8EWiGD1PEqzg_Z1WBZskJQprMUalkU3SbPgeArR9AaAix5L_cXV5yiBbgduZENXug/s640/IMG_20130926_145744_845.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Guiltily, we took lots of pictures of men we assumed would soon be dead from gravity and its after effects...<br />
<br />
Dinner was a quiet affair in the garden of gigantic artichokes, another cheese souffle' and wine. Lots of wine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglry-Ucm5UT-XpdEiu_jp9p_oUk3sBxqmx4l_euNL_DC9h9QkM6sMbdQx_CdRR4VUom8sP3aKz0xoFHRnjnhCOBPl4rRKiFkFuR2AMtk1s-yN3WMPHlBpre29LYa8XEQy08d5vRohVODc/s1600/IMG_20130926_195513_636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglry-Ucm5UT-XpdEiu_jp9p_oUk3sBxqmx4l_euNL_DC9h9QkM6sMbdQx_CdRR4VUom8sP3aKz0xoFHRnjnhCOBPl4rRKiFkFuR2AMtk1s-yN3WMPHlBpre29LYa8XEQy08d5vRohVODc/s400/IMG_20130926_195513_636.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmOSrrdI0hktEEbmKDboCTNW6hp31QQHcOked6PbldpGaTyaQUUxIgQia42nIdOcrE6RL1j-31zT_tLBsjvmHICtKnsH9CQfB_VRTHgb6D5WvlgiqBuB40LGjBjeClqsDiICkcuKCPKM/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmOSrrdI0hktEEbmKDboCTNW6hp31QQHcOked6PbldpGaTyaQUUxIgQia42nIdOcrE6RL1j-31zT_tLBsjvmHICtKnsH9CQfB_VRTHgb6D5WvlgiqBuB40LGjBjeClqsDiICkcuKCPKM/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
A grand day. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-46604830983817571672013-09-26T08:30:00.000-07:002013-09-26T08:30:31.845-07:00.5 (Wednesday 9.25.2013)Today marked the halfway point of our trip. It has been yet another life changing time in France, we really, really love this place...<br />
<br />
Early this morning Clayton, Deanna, Wayne and Deb headed off for the train ride to Paris. They have been fantastic guests and it has been a rare treat to make casual friends into much closer ones. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P7lP5sV3f0C5X5upGBkoNfPgPVpCL7WAxrfZ9LI8EGD7ZfAXXEFN6y_hs2drnKDjnxn3Djrp11oHn09L8SbHMe7Uy9F7ztqAgK0i196i6PvuwaHwMi0mUjzyns-0MNWWHGCVEW-4Xdo/s1600/La+Latte+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P7lP5sV3f0C5X5upGBkoNfPgPVpCL7WAxrfZ9LI8EGD7ZfAXXEFN6y_hs2drnKDjnxn3Djrp11oHn09L8SbHMe7Uy9F7ztqAgK0i196i6PvuwaHwMi0mUjzyns-0MNWWHGCVEW-4Xdo/s640/La+Latte+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye guys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nita and I spent the day doing another round of laundry and light housekeeping before the next crew showed up. Kim and Ryan were sweet enough to make the run to the Rennes train station to pick up Michael and Donna since they were out and about.<br />
<br />
Everybody made it to the house with no issues and the wine flowed. A tad later we held firmly to tradition and went to the Italian place for dinner and drinks.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is market day, lots to do and see! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-80732920157374952422013-09-25T03:21:00.000-07:002013-09-25T03:21:32.612-07:00Up THE HILL(tm) there are Pelicans (Tuesday 9.25.2013)Plans to drive down to Carnac were abandoned over a breakfast of fresh bread and tech issues. Between the phones, booking issues and bank issues no-one wanted to sit in a car for hours to go take a look at the standing stones at Carnac.<br />
<br />
Instead, we loafed till lunch and then went to a terrific restaurant, Aburge le Pelican. They offer a nice lunch menu and a decent wine list(no roast pelican), so what the heck. One last nice meal out for the crew and an evening in the garden eating up leftovers. <br />
<br />
We had a spread of items from mussels to lobster, chicken in cidre to salmon cake "burger". Splendid food, yet again!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb1hnwaPdvA71EonD1EzhiQZGFA628PNwsiKx4PsQ8YB_vC8y-VcdYc-V2ZK0aV557vmP2BfbIE-cRNKmwkVYegC7cWsMczBitx-6nuMwj3gTbcwTsIAI5UFVerl99oC_ALMZCJzhxwo/s1600/IMG_20130924_131434_304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb1hnwaPdvA71EonD1EzhiQZGFA628PNwsiKx4PsQ8YB_vC8y-VcdYc-V2ZK0aV557vmP2BfbIE-cRNKmwkVYegC7cWsMczBitx-6nuMwj3gTbcwTsIAI5UFVerl99oC_ALMZCJzhxwo/s320/IMG_20130924_131434_304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIDU2DPmyB-LQ2hVC_SqVuz9XRkt-ls6j6QMQjUvEk1QSIKD6_j6ZHlkJWVbcsuzj9qxefVKjozjKZTgKLjSgOlNzNoTu0-KXeef_ljvf5GUCrSSiWV7IrpB0GkgiDzU03WPe5h83RfA/s1600/IMG_20130924_131440_297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIDU2DPmyB-LQ2hVC_SqVuz9XRkt-ls6j6QMQjUvEk1QSIKD6_j6ZHlkJWVbcsuzj9qxefVKjozjKZTgKLjSgOlNzNoTu0-KXeef_ljvf5GUCrSSiWV7IrpB0GkgiDzU03WPe5h83RfA/s320/IMG_20130924_131440_297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After lunch we mooched through old Dinan, visiting our butcher, Emmanual and checking the shops for last minute tourist fun. The weather was clear and sunny, a perfect afternoon to soak up the warmth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGlfw4N2RcgIVkZxK9rHNTabN4Pqa4wbp4Hza4t3rM_s8kj-gX_i1EP_ugpj-DfF3fKT_WPqyTIOY-33Khqhj96Po983Ffg5SSxOXw3WLkVge4AtLwkrXh01JY7t_pKVcoRyBg3GPIcI/s1600/IMG_20130924_150525_218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGlfw4N2RcgIVkZxK9rHNTabN4Pqa4wbp4Hza4t3rM_s8kj-gX_i1EP_ugpj-DfF3fKT_WPqyTIOY-33Khqhj96Po983Ffg5SSxOXw3WLkVge4AtLwkrXh01JY7t_pKVcoRyBg3GPIcI/s640/IMG_20130924_150525_218.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the way home, we found the entrance to the ramparts that pass across THE HILL(tm) just up from the house. Great spot to see the roof scape and take pictures. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMsU5WxZze8TVGn6DVTd0wExn0BhTk7J72WLWogekGMIVhp8-Iu_2TmTOVOPMrLvW4sHi5y3XPCgorrPnub8M-y8-8rYEDByyw8hJWj76N0jJRN-8pbRcQla0h9D8Oc3GSJOTPujeTKw/s1600/IMG_20130924_155135_064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMsU5WxZze8TVGn6DVTd0wExn0BhTk7J72WLWogekGMIVhp8-Iu_2TmTOVOPMrLvW4sHi5y3XPCgorrPnub8M-y8-8rYEDByyw8hJWj76N0jJRN-8pbRcQla0h9D8Oc3GSJOTPujeTKw/s640/IMG_20130924_155135_064.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE HILL(tm) from the ramparts, winding down to the river. Looks innocent from here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nap time struck about 3, and we all spent a quiet evening in the garden eating up the cheese, sausage, cookies and snacks that had piled up in the kitchen. I grabbed some left over baguette and threw together a quick bread pudding with Brittany apples, raisins and apricots. Had issues with oven again, but what the hell, even a bad bread pudding is mighty tasty!<br />
<br />
Early to bed as Deb, Wayne, Clayton and Deanna are hopping the train to Paris in the morning.Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-11799097974330639082013-09-24T01:23:00.000-07:002013-09-24T01:39:31.975-07:00Le Lundi est Bunday (Monday 9.23.2013) <u>(Just added an email follow option. Get our travel blather infesting your email daily by signing up using the option in the right margin pane.)</u><br />
<br />
<br />
Monday morning was an odd combination of humid as hell and cloudy. Warm, wet clouds hunkered down and threatened rain for a while, but bravely we all decided to hire our regular Sherpas and make our way up THE HILL(tm).<br />
<br />
Shopping trolly in hand, Nita and I dropped by the butcher shop for a brace o' bunnies we had ordered since everyone was in the mood for fast food. Get it? Fast food... Bunnies? I slay me.<br />
<br />
Bunnies wrestled to the ground, we trekked over to the larger market on the for side of the old city for the rest of dinner. Veggies, wine, mustard, taters, everything looked fantastic as usual. This country is spoiling us with stellar produce.<br />
<br />
We stopped in an unfamiliar district and enjoyed a cidre while the sun finally got off its ass and burned the clouds off. A welcome chill breeze sauntered in and turned the day into something quite nice to be out and about.<br />
<br />
Back at home we dropped the supply cart off and went to the port for lunch. One of the curious things we run into here are all the Brits, especially those from Jersey. Apparently the island of Jersey is a cheap and short ferry ride from St. Malo so they tend to vacation here quite a bit. During our long, leisurely lunch, we chatted with 2 different tables from Jersey who genuinely seemed pleased to see Americans enjoying France so much. (Easy to do, it's really quite a remarkably friendly place) <br />
<br />
For dinner I put on my game face and tacked a couple of recipes that I had been pondering for a while, in fact at least one practicing at home. The rabbit went into a braised bunny in mustard/white wine sauce that was a lot of finicky steps but well worth the effort. Once it was rolling in the oven, I grated Emmentaler cheese, made the base and readied the crock for my first ever souffle' in France.(I had been practicing at home)<br />
<br />
Working out the timing for everything was complex, but we managed to get the rabbit, souffle', smashed taters, broccoli and reduced white wine/mustard pan sauce all together just in time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yap5wyhgybF_Ah6hod3L2rGwanzCV7qqotbfMObf52ybdJY7U3NyrK49ivJeVBwwdE6hzbjo6_lfe4U2a6Aq2XJ_Wdbs1qapmYG6auhZ9rUz-M6n6nBeD5S3Glp1SJarApj0-SoksHI/s1600/IMG_20130923_200914_866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yap5wyhgybF_Ah6hod3L2rGwanzCV7qqotbfMObf52ybdJY7U3NyrK49ivJeVBwwdE6hzbjo6_lfe4U2a6Aq2XJ_Wdbs1qapmYG6auhZ9rUz-M6n6nBeD5S3Glp1SJarApj0-SoksHI/s640/IMG_20130923_200914_866.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broccoli, bunny, souffle', taters, bread and cidre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The souffle' was slightly overdone due to my constant misunderstanding of the damn oven settings, but it did rise properly(almost). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MpziFmI8f7L66qG8qKUlqgJLnTzn5hxhu05eFRH4KJoY-NJJsBCGYnKu00H1AhHuXIbfvWyVFep84EI7Ma2ThVG0D1JJPHhQ7i8sOD_e2SaPvJNjEgWDtAOeFcS1utssbRwar1SJqoE/s1600/IMG_20130923_200425_048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MpziFmI8f7L66qG8qKUlqgJLnTzn5hxhu05eFRH4KJoY-NJJsBCGYnKu00H1AhHuXIbfvWyVFep84EI7Ma2ThVG0D1JJPHhQ7i8sOD_e2SaPvJNjEgWDtAOeFcS1utssbRwar1SJqoE/s640/IMG_20130923_200425_048.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmentaler souffle'. Well done, unfortunately...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Everything came out wonderfully. Honestly, it's hard to mess up when you start with ingredients like we get here. Dinner was a blast and I got to tick another thing off my culinary bucket list. I made a souffle' in France.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-50089473935273090932013-09-23T01:31:00.002-07:002013-09-23T01:31:51.705-07:00Quiet Day, Yet Again (Sunday 9.22.2013)Sunday ended up being a mixed bag of activities. Nita worked all day, I did some reading and writing while Deb, Wayne, Clayton and Deanna headed for Mont-Saint-Michel.<br />
<br />
For us it was a lazy day around the house, the pilgrims to the Mont had a great, if yet tiring time.<br />
<br />
Home for a late dinner, we went to the port and had a lovely time by the river. Some had the fish of the day, a whitefish and prawn mix cooked in a white wine, cream and saffron sauce. Clayton ordered the duck special, which turned out to be essentially a sweet/spicy pulled duck under a blanket of mashed taters. There was salmon pasta, pork medallions in a light mustard sauce and some amazingly good desserts. <br />
<br />
These guys are really good at food...<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-53555854955293468482013-09-22T02:07:00.000-07:002013-09-23T01:32:45.568-07:00Markets and Marathons (Saturday 9.21.2013)This was one of those days that makes France so damn frustrating and magical at the same time.<br />
<br />
After breakfasting at the old farmhouse table, we piled into the cars and headed for the big outdoor market in Rennes. (Except Matt and Kim, they went up THE HILL(tm) for the day) The drive down was fairly easy, till we argued with the maps and ended up diving right down into the center of town. As it turns out, that was the simple way to get to the market, yet the most difficult. Early Saturday traffic on market day is far from hectic, it eases comfortably into shambolic. We were very, very impressed by Clayton's ability to stick with our frantic and often impulsive turns.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizScFKkSuCsS32CqJt_szVAi07_WXInXv4oN-k6q9UR2XEFNTE3Zq41r_YJpqmXdkZSPMDhpVtE0QRuZ7DQyJ9mqkOG4vPeSpqdMwlvjsP1zCXQ49rmyTtR-RDUSfEWuWTDMa2bE9_OdA/s1600/Rennes+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizScFKkSuCsS32CqJt_szVAi07_WXInXv4oN-k6q9UR2XEFNTE3Zq41r_YJpqmXdkZSPMDhpVtE0QRuZ7DQyJ9mqkOG4vPeSpqdMwlvjsP1zCXQ49rmyTtR-RDUSfEWuWTDMa2bE9_OdA/s320/Rennes+2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rennes is full of hidden gems like this old place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Finally finding the parking lot we needed, a very kind woman helped us find the market. Once near it was kinda hard to miss...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5S9CO3FG7kpXaFfVNi4pxSVKqigP0zxCmCXq4p_0GATvOQwA1pIhgO61ErsH4LlPinShfHytn2LawHmUS3rfbtSzUmt2XlEU-0LomwpUyI_LMuVd1j-s4AwXdLRDc6Pfo7V0JDcYaupc/s1600/IMG_4528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5S9CO3FG7kpXaFfVNi4pxSVKqigP0zxCmCXq4p_0GATvOQwA1pIhgO61ErsH4LlPinShfHytn2LawHmUS3rfbtSzUmt2XlEU-0LomwpUyI_LMuVd1j-s4AwXdLRDc6Pfo7V0JDcYaupc/s640/IMG_4528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is about 1/10th of the street vendors at the market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Saturday open market in Rennes is the larges in Brittany, and reportedly one of the 4 largest in all of France. Large it is! Centered on the 2 large iron Halles left over from the 1800's, the street market snakes its way along multiple streets for block after block. The Halles hold butchers and cheese vendors, the outdoor stalls are vendor after vendor of farm fresh fruits and veggies at dirt cheap prices. Best in the world produce and fruit so concentrated in flavor that they nearly explode when you bight into them. Hundreds of folks offering samples, street cooks with everything from Indian roti to a big ol guy selling cajun food, the market had everything you could possibly want.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DK-xlavxSIiPRTPlGhz_bYLzoiR9LgWQBjtH1IL7XGKMCZ6DV8SqcJujcK8UEFgt_gFMRX9268T23aSvPK6EXPWEHcngW4YwyMBsrhTUgyzVy-F0_TntKe05YYOe-TWi36SsT9OhWeA/s1600/Rennes+Halles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DK-xlavxSIiPRTPlGhz_bYLzoiR9LgWQBjtH1IL7XGKMCZ6DV8SqcJujcK8UEFgt_gFMRX9268T23aSvPK6EXPWEHcngW4YwyMBsrhTUgyzVy-F0_TntKe05YYOe-TWi36SsT9OhWeA/s640/Rennes+Halles.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 2 old iron and glass Halles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWm1Im2D-ltFBr5DQX1609Hhx1oEAP8aoEgxCkMikBacNxHbwBjBBm4DuVx23JdfW5_-nIjR1Xz1X12GFY4jBFWk5dmFWymDtPnUSWA80Ncyq5WYsm7wBFw7FXLYwU8eN9udW3L2KJCk/s1600/Renes+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWm1Im2D-ltFBr5DQX1609Hhx1oEAP8aoEgxCkMikBacNxHbwBjBBm4DuVx23JdfW5_-nIjR1Xz1X12GFY4jBFWk5dmFWymDtPnUSWA80Ncyq5WYsm7wBFw7FXLYwU8eN9udW3L2KJCk/s400/Renes+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear this chick is following me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6GwBO6EiG8-Wh0eWoFWNe6LUzRbUxImfbJ19FIcO9L90vX2cbcitOTeNm7rpf8k4qH5Dmw3esk8DxYrfpxN0liTyxTZIqQVliSct-DhrOlVOdhT0Idr6bMHPu1CpeeEHEVj36T16xvo/s1600/Birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6GwBO6EiG8-Wh0eWoFWNe6LUzRbUxImfbJ19FIcO9L90vX2cbcitOTeNm7rpf8k4qH5Dmw3esk8DxYrfpxN0liTyxTZIqQVliSct-DhrOlVOdhT0Idr6bMHPu1CpeeEHEVj36T16xvo/s320/Birds.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens with gizzards and pluck all included.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmhbcREVkbV_o0YbQlalGOB-KmtyJeCkOhFfroIssnonauM-3WKeX1xs3AMvrd8I4qYU4BC45LsGcZ_P1Qq6jEprzd-7Y6HT9zthLQYYmg3oRfjBBVnStmPbnRN-bgWYLDa5PzeNhGs0/s1600/Butchers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmhbcREVkbV_o0YbQlalGOB-KmtyJeCkOhFfroIssnonauM-3WKeX1xs3AMvrd8I4qYU4BC45LsGcZ_P1Qq6jEprzd-7Y6HT9zthLQYYmg3oRfjBBVnStmPbnRN-bgWYLDa5PzeNhGs0/s640/Butchers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just one of the dozens of butchers under the Halles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We all split up to explore the offerings. Niters and I ended up just mooching through the Halles, marveling at the butchers and their cold cabinets of critters. As usual we ended up buying too much sausage and a bit of fruit.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMoAy7eCgMr9SI6h6nBBqe4IlIXWvOz6xY1VdYMagPmm_RhCBmJao4tXS3NSR_ccxFbrgq5COXLvdL60kTCzFYnW5fn-hZZdp6t_logKcBS9h_mdj6j__n5obg0d8s6yDidu7b5WZFC4/s1600/Fruit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMoAy7eCgMr9SI6h6nBBqe4IlIXWvOz6xY1VdYMagPmm_RhCBmJao4tXS3NSR_ccxFbrgq5COXLvdL60kTCzFYnW5fn-hZZdp6t_logKcBS9h_mdj6j__n5obg0d8s6yDidu7b5WZFC4/s400/Fruit.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberries, strawberries and currants!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsLSlZKPUyF1mtB8WJAbITlByX92lhmO0s4f8sA7wwAAoJIoFsy1OCtHkOv3LZFpPjqyz-dqj87586tEBDKK7H4UwNfwX_t9_T7eongcrh5ODTe0mZ1fNW0VGJOhrXdQsqLeRcU1hnBo/s1600/Radish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsLSlZKPUyF1mtB8WJAbITlByX92lhmO0s4f8sA7wwAAoJIoFsy1OCtHkOv3LZFpPjqyz-dqj87586tEBDKK7H4UwNfwX_t9_T7eongcrh5ODTe0mZ1fNW0VGJOhrXdQsqLeRcU1hnBo/s400/Radish.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avignon radishes in the sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nbMwEqFJ6nbjRT1jRhbdRbbPRplN1XKJZ9QYqOhSUijhUUeiivstAKd_VpDo_AMTYWp0NgqmxmscTATlaEftJfZK-fVfthy6mCluCNjZJW8urXk1sNM_BNkEbINmcjDfRkq0C1J10Kk/s1600/Veggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nbMwEqFJ6nbjRT1jRhbdRbbPRplN1XKJZ9QYqOhSUijhUUeiivstAKd_VpDo_AMTYWp0NgqmxmscTATlaEftJfZK-fVfthy6mCluCNjZJW8urXk1sNM_BNkEbINmcjDfRkq0C1J10Kk/s640/Veggies.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? There she is again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This market is a wonderland of food fun. No crappy junk sale vendors here, just farmers and food folks. Much nicer than the other markets we have attended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dKEYZLkqJ5CLLhLMqSbXkv2P3F93itkQmD_-gr7wvq1wldDoqfyJXvyZzlUBs3DTcdKOcxYYnc9Vt7wiVO-ZbirZP_dcheUj0zGo_HBCt5Fx6v0rnoDBA33e6sPLQdaFkz-btVbV1EQ/s1600/Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dKEYZLkqJ5CLLhLMqSbXkv2P3F93itkQmD_-gr7wvq1wldDoqfyJXvyZzlUBs3DTcdKOcxYYnc9Vt7wiVO-ZbirZP_dcheUj0zGo_HBCt5Fx6v0rnoDBA33e6sPLQdaFkz-btVbV1EQ/s640/Flowers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the flour market, 3 blocks long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Noon or so we jumped back into a relatively calm drive back to Dinan, stopping for a quick grocery run at the InterMarche'. A cart full of wine and cookies satisfied the day's needs and off to the house we went.<br />
<br />
All afternoon we hung out in the comfy living room snaking our way through the sausages, olives, wines and cidres. Luckily for me, the damn Ice Cream Hotties were open and my claims of ice cream 27 steps from our door was verified. Damn good ice cream!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5gxj39HvkfzWc7QVc9HECWWa5YXLQsBtbSCxu5OOOOp7pe9tMvHvmb3CVRLBkjqPkUpGDYf5ABN-eom2IAA3DlXEpubP27qdZONcbjxBk3NN2bBCjp11VnMfX7jH2i4XPo7eD8MuJ24/s1600/IMG_20130921_184829_363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5gxj39HvkfzWc7QVc9HECWWa5YXLQsBtbSCxu5OOOOp7pe9tMvHvmb3CVRLBkjqPkUpGDYf5ABN-eom2IAA3DlXEpubP27qdZONcbjxBk3NN2bBCjp11VnMfX7jH2i4XPo7eD8MuJ24/s320/IMG_20130921_184829_363.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon snackies and cidre!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Mid snack, we heard a tremendous commotion from the street. An ATV snarled past the door and clapping people were lining the way up THE HILL(tm). To our shock, runners began streaking by our house on their route of a major Brittany run. Sponsored runners, individuals without support crews, some young, some old, some looking like they were praying for death all grimly wound their way up THE HILL(tm).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZE_7Jyv442vHAVou2CHWnK5NTla1f9RRdntVtDguwKzmm1EUxqOOi32Z05e0o-HFL3gp9tOZX82b5t8Qsp_wGzoqiGTTW8aCh4zdbkifZiYXllvvkQI7N93yaNgDA1XkOKkNY_mevxw/s1600/IMG_20130921_181937_281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZE_7Jyv442vHAVou2CHWnK5NTla1f9RRdntVtDguwKzmm1EUxqOOi32Z05e0o-HFL3gp9tOZX82b5t8Qsp_wGzoqiGTTW8aCh4zdbkifZiYXllvvkQI7N93yaNgDA1XkOKkNY_mevxw/s640/IMG_20130921_181937_281.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI524j_LU96Tqlg-E2eIloBfjPjOTV8WDt70ead6hJd_kwlfmYohia3gbwf5ggFty078s-nEpLKxzuBAffwEUcz0f6tnKqXk7YJDnf94_swfm0T_0InKKsU7sGLHOe-vfPXixBMxm8KE/s1600/IMG_20130921_182059_071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI524j_LU96Tqlg-E2eIloBfjPjOTV8WDt70ead6hJd_kwlfmYohia3gbwf5ggFty078s-nEpLKxzuBAffwEUcz0f6tnKqXk7YJDnf94_swfm0T_0InKKsU7sGLHOe-vfPXixBMxm8KE/s400/IMG_20130921_182059_071.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTP60rNMThQnPLtXk3R5jbbh4W86UpVXrpBCEx2PC_Wa0n54p8ki4PNiiz2ulbAX_sS39U5z5fPc03GYctjtwIrCQ8AXvGV081uyCimwHyLs1w89WzSmzs58aN4PXO7ZTTLqnnhIdeOk/s1600/IMG_20130921_182104_028%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTP60rNMThQnPLtXk3R5jbbh4W86UpVXrpBCEx2PC_Wa0n54p8ki4PNiiz2ulbAX_sS39U5z5fPc03GYctjtwIrCQ8AXvGV081uyCimwHyLs1w89WzSmzs58aN4PXO7ZTTLqnnhIdeOk/s400/IMG_20130921_182104_028%25281%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Half way through the mass of runners, people started hooting and hollering at a group of young runners dressed in "traditional" Breton granny's clothing. Looked suspiciously like French maids uniforms to us...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1JhhshJZTXJPCC1jcccRtNlRi_mL5u9EBv3XOvF0eRVpALCHy4fk1oEL1In8QKI752daVMWHAYV-fU-H33YSlHXEbp7kXu36M0pt1E5xXiDTTpU3aZrVUMVremOyayUQCMUMFpQISlc/s1600/DSC_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1JhhshJZTXJPCC1jcccRtNlRi_mL5u9EBv3XOvF0eRVpALCHy4fk1oEL1In8QKI752daVMWHAYV-fU-H33YSlHXEbp7kXu36M0pt1E5xXiDTTpU3aZrVUMVremOyayUQCMUMFpQISlc/s320/DSC_0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in plastic uniforms? Nope!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As the runners thinned out, our neighbor caught our attention and held up 2 fingers with a big smile. Those crazy bastards were making 2 full circuits of Dinan and THE HILL(tm)!<br />
<br />
We found some solace in the comfy couch and chairs, secure in the knowledge that our marathon needs had been safely outsourced to France and no further action was needed on our part.<br />
<br />
Thank God.<br />
<br />
After the sun went down, a sudden squall of health blew through the house and Nita, Deb, Kim and Deanna beat a stupendous chef salad into submission while us menfolk sampled 4 different cidres in the living room. Best to stay out of their way, really.<br />
<br />
A salad and 6 bottles of wine later and some FANTASTIC desserts Matt and Kim picked up, it was time for bed.<br />
<br />
Matt and Kim leave us for Chartres and Paris in the morning. They are great folk, independent travelers, patient with our shenanigans, and we really wish they were here longer. Having the house full to the max of 8 people has been really easy on us all. SCA folk are used to sharing accommodations, and that tends to lead to an unspoken understanding. We have been delighted at how simple fun this has all been!Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-89729907244066458482013-09-21T08:50:00.001-07:002013-09-21T09:05:45.001-07:00A Visit to La Latte (Friday 9.20.2013)When we first decided to come to Brittany, Niters found Fort La Latte on her very first morning of research. Luckily, she was exactly correct...<br />
<br />
Fort La Latte dates back to the early 14th cent, with tons of upgrades and improvements until its military abandonment in the early 19th cent. Layers and layers of history blend into a breathtaking clump of stone defenses on the high cliffs above an iron bound shore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxtpqNnslb8nXsvoVnwWOUgXbGSUnHwuevgaKeFMOtNzuQIXXXAqkzXS51eWlqYZIVCKYUUaXXHz9DvmI3HwSsWfY7psHVjjA1TMgRLPIxrrGQmSzMFjaQbVqVNtPyx1W4aGQBwH5_C0/s1600/lalatte+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxtpqNnslb8nXsvoVnwWOUgXbGSUnHwuevgaKeFMOtNzuQIXXXAqkzXS51eWlqYZIVCKYUUaXXHz9DvmI3HwSsWfY7psHVjjA1TMgRLPIxrrGQmSzMFjaQbVqVNtPyx1W4aGQBwH5_C0/s640/lalatte+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The drive up was amusing, at least the GPS thought it was. At least once along the way our Garmin demanded we take "Road" instead of any recognizable highway. A long, low farm road led us past cows, more cows, an old Frenchman with walking sticks we were sure he was going to whack our car with, some cows and a cow. Popping into civilization again, we had a great view of the tide flats receding off into the low distance and a welcome sign for Fort La Latte.<br />
<br />
The fort itself is low set from the approaching land. Covered head high in thick, impenetrable raspberry, cedar and ferns, a narrow dirt road is the only option to get to the fort gates. The shore surrounding is barely hospitable to a boat of any size, just one or two gravel beaches offer and cover in a hard seascape.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFkoVTXaGrqtHWD92IePrLnyzn6eOcWbJIXFJxQAtlEvzlaEvNzuSKP2n6SZ0ubD8YlKL5udDjsRK6srJsyBhop9Tv0BLptuN9K05HH3aerWVUYXEPxBZc7_Z9jz-TnXvPDpwJ3LiR0s/s1600/La+Latte+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFkoVTXaGrqtHWD92IePrLnyzn6eOcWbJIXFJxQAtlEvzlaEvNzuSKP2n6SZ0ubD8YlKL5udDjsRK6srJsyBhop9Tv0BLptuN9K05HH3aerWVUYXEPxBZc7_Z9jz-TnXvPDpwJ3LiR0s/s640/La+Latte+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awfully casual for a siege, but whatever makes em happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Coming down off the road, we wandered thru the tourist gate into the fort grounds. It is a privately managed historical site and the 5euro entrance fee is below average for this sort of attraction. I guess they have to hire someone to vacuum and Swifter the place once in a while.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-nisaAXTHlHHv-2LQp-Zu3CV0NNrSMGM-DFjP7GNnaVPe1nb9VltoCycUjfqgNWEJ6PZw3mRn-mGxt4zTY1CaPujygmo6ShcPcdgCBRqeOgmppKgxHv2Lm5ZxScgeYnPfLP0L9r_GFA/s1600/Lalatte2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-nisaAXTHlHHv-2LQp-Zu3CV0NNrSMGM-DFjP7GNnaVPe1nb9VltoCycUjfqgNWEJ6PZw3mRn-mGxt4zTY1CaPujygmo6ShcPcdgCBRqeOgmppKgxHv2Lm5ZxScgeYnPfLP0L9r_GFA/s320/Lalatte2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought wine...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71aAUb0N1x2V_KGR3_oVYrXDt4lHZ8JpXBEgLfzhZ6dZeRJtzJyxuXUKaax42rSJgpt0eZAYC1v1ehhkP92we8PVyAWmfpesZM5KssudlcCtRCUyK6qTh5dAMEFyW8VM6SRU8UANK5jA/s1600/lalatte3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71aAUb0N1x2V_KGR3_oVYrXDt4lHZ8JpXBEgLfzhZ6dZeRJtzJyxuXUKaax42rSJgpt0eZAYC1v1ehhkP92we8PVyAWmfpesZM5KssudlcCtRCUyK6qTh5dAMEFyW8VM6SRU8UANK5jA/s320/lalatte3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn paparazzi are everywhere here!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The fort is a tumble of walls, towers, gates and keeps, all culminating in a high tower, supposedly impenetrable. I'm guessing not, since my military genius wife made it right up to the top with little trouble.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4bAckK0s_kSqPo95pmg072k6uIrDt0YI5wetY1Rvtb8gJabZ89AnaVEp6HIZJ_HFvubXLrDHxNHRzCDG_o77zrwzUyWigQy0ZnP2xPtr6QE-D16oSxEhdJZOhYZA-AVBE9v5N4hD6iQ/s1600/lalatte8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4bAckK0s_kSqPo95pmg072k6uIrDt0YI5wetY1Rvtb8gJabZ89AnaVEp6HIZJ_HFvubXLrDHxNHRzCDG_o77zrwzUyWigQy0ZnP2xPtr6QE-D16oSxEhdJZOhYZA-AVBE9v5N4hD6iQ/s640/lalatte8.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just toss down the rope ladder and quit hamming it up, lady.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
From the top, we could see all of the coast for miles and the hard stone cliffs of the shore. Angry and grumbling in the surf, it would have been an imposing place to attempt to take by sea. The fort itself took a more logical shape as we could see the curtain walls, buildings and gardens in relation to each other.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ5rgNZ1EVigwuvUc2zgH1d-2WELcya_EhWSe97eRzXKGGzmv_5d8levW8H_jzbCuoXGf7cgzqYs8Dp9qAIDt_TtZsxDOD8KdicDyh5miM1mIgIBusMu_-7LnGnQe8Vpcb7J5fxxSjTs/s1600/lalatte10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ5rgNZ1EVigwuvUc2zgH1d-2WELcya_EhWSe97eRzXKGGzmv_5d8levW8H_jzbCuoXGf7cgzqYs8Dp9qAIDt_TtZsxDOD8KdicDyh5miM1mIgIBusMu_-7LnGnQe8Vpcb7J5fxxSjTs/s400/lalatte10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQunPSD846FTcf3CiwKHdLN5h4uPeDd6OOPd9Ufym7Qrf6XTnmga72bhwBF3MQC2oqFzU8DKElU8UewW3b73QmCUHVgXQ-E90UBfZKqM6tVGz2YN8IMnePfyusMPuBkebJFxfmwym6w/s1600/lalatte11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQunPSD846FTcf3CiwKHdLN5h4uPeDd6OOPd9Ufym7Qrf6XTnmga72bhwBF3MQC2oqFzU8DKElU8UewW3b73QmCUHVgXQ-E90UBfZKqM6tVGz2YN8IMnePfyusMPuBkebJFxfmwym6w/s400/lalatte11.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDGpQbFyLSoCBcTOZa4KfIJTBlPU0iAVQ3SHM-aB5KPVMrcDAuS3buULSCPrYHVqg3zp7Ozur-60aQG_cEtTdr0lYygEnuXZPbmxhUolmdpAWEVcPkSHtxHJeTFlOS2GzUJtTnPvUS0Y/s1600/lalatte13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDGpQbFyLSoCBcTOZa4KfIJTBlPU0iAVQ3SHM-aB5KPVMrcDAuS3buULSCPrYHVqg3zp7Ozur-60aQG_cEtTdr0lYygEnuXZPbmxhUolmdpAWEVcPkSHtxHJeTFlOS2GzUJtTnPvUS0Y/s400/lalatte13.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T0GuHxaog0ZMgmyJameZGuF4a85wqiJPgc6rMTA66PLECjK5zh4k3FFYkI3R8p_D5Q85nnzo2NNZ1pN7gsTcWddvbRNbgpejLfPrHKJh2nHWFASyhQ9RDpevQhuRJAFyzv5QIBUlBBs/s1600/lalatte9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T0GuHxaog0ZMgmyJameZGuF4a85wqiJPgc6rMTA66PLECjK5zh4k3FFYkI3R8p_D5Q85nnzo2NNZ1pN7gsTcWddvbRNbgpejLfPrHKJh2nHWFASyhQ9RDpevQhuRJAFyzv5QIBUlBBs/s640/lalatte9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Each time we go to another fort, I am amazed at the ambition and skill of the builders who loved without electricity, internal combustion, steel construction and modern heavy lifting gear. It is quite humbling...<br />
<br />
On the way home, we stopped for a lovely lunch at a roadside bar before fighting THE F*CKING GPS(tm) home. In order to protect the innocent, let's just say we saw a lot more cows.<br />
<br />
For dinner we went back to L'Atelier Gourmand. Again, it was spectacular.<br />
Much food and wine was enjoyed and I am pretty sure we alternately amused and horrified the locals trying to enjoy a evenings repast. Too bad, we had a hell of a time!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH-jylHKb3jRoYpqloJekL_2FNnDLACY_KxUaecGGwP11N9t3ftnrjnKkJvM6ymHBs8Wdm_BZKKN54FfPm2Fsspr1zBPueQiIMpxb-OH1G97XQ1XS0UuxvIVpsTGW8KO24SAnbmX9okg/s1600/IMG_20130920_195432_148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH-jylHKb3jRoYpqloJekL_2FNnDLACY_KxUaecGGwP11N9t3ftnrjnKkJvM6ymHBs8Wdm_BZKKN54FfPm2Fsspr1zBPueQiIMpxb-OH1G97XQ1XS0UuxvIVpsTGW8KO24SAnbmX9okg/s640/IMG_20130920_195432_148.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crew, minus Clayton who was hiding from the waitress for some reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebwqhbah_Iotmzne5gJSDaxyh3IkGLaN04hxKigegUvicIAK9Faz1B1DeidoEI7eKlzvXpTPzlwiEmkQAZVWUYY1rZWg8sy85B3IGd_6d5_CSUDfDzNYat5nnYaDCT_Qw0186zj6_M2o/s1600/IMG_20130920_204020_223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebwqhbah_Iotmzne5gJSDaxyh3IkGLaN04hxKigegUvicIAK9Faz1B1DeidoEI7eKlzvXpTPzlwiEmkQAZVWUYY1rZWg8sy85B3IGd_6d5_CSUDfDzNYat5nnYaDCT_Qw0186zj6_M2o/s400/IMG_20130920_204020_223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp, monkfish and veggies on light filo dough sheet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lBNnUjE00PScrYW-1JoVe_fKVI27bGTHdm2TfN5jWGOX2TYXdi_3pZvurwXipave5H0-iTloyCM97x_E39wm6fGokfO6tpJPKXu9KH80uEdgOKxRMbTA3P7wmEviH5zNWi2Z9WFlra4/s1600/IMG_20130920_203715_284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lBNnUjE00PScrYW-1JoVe_fKVI27bGTHdm2TfN5jWGOX2TYXdi_3pZvurwXipave5H0-iTloyCM97x_E39wm6fGokfO6tpJPKXu9KH80uEdgOKxRMbTA3P7wmEviH5zNWi2Z9WFlra4/s400/IMG_20130920_203715_284.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cod en papillote with potatoes, veggies and a garlic cream.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is salad day.<br />
<br />
<br />Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-59566181448626910132013-09-20T08:02:00.000-07:002013-09-20T08:02:20.711-07:00Market Day in Dinan (Thursday 9.21.2013)Thursday market day in Dinan is probably my favorite time of the week. All of the amazing produce, meats, sausages, cheeses make for an eye watering barrage of edible goodies.<br />
<br />
We wandered up about 10, grabbed some cash and split up to grab dinner essentials. Niters and I ended up with a half case of wine and a huge bouquet of flowers. More responsible shoppers ended up with salad makings, fresh green beans, cheeses, and mind blowingly good strawberries for dessert.<br />
<br />
On the way back down THE HILL(tm), Nita and I swung by the butcher shop to grab a tasty animal hunk for dinner. Porc Savoyard was my panicked choice, since it looked like an innocent pork roast all rolled, tied and topped with herbs. Nope, not even close! Porc Savoyard turns out to be a wonderful layered pork roast, with bacon, air dried ham, a light layer of a minced pork pate and grated swiss cheese all tucked under a fat cap to keep it all moist while roasting.<br />
<br />
Quite possibly the most interesting pork roast I have ever made. Dinner was late, as we are now in the habit of dining after 8pm, but the wine and food was great and the plates left the table clean enough to put right back into the cabinet.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we are heading to Fort La Latte. Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-56225011655291868992013-09-19T03:07:00.001-07:002013-09-20T08:23:23.037-07:00A Warm Welcome! (Wednesday 9.18.2013)Well my family made it back home safe and sound, at least to Minneapolis. Mom and Dad still have a long drive back to KC and party prep to go.<br />
<br />
Nita and I spent a quiet day cleaning house, laundry and a light lunch in the port prepping for the next wave of folks.<br />
<br />
About 5, they started rolling in. Clayton, Deanna, Wayne and Deb drove down from Normandy with little issues and Matt and Kim made the drive from Rennes painlessly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6VXLsKnDJxid_6fgLVyTeiii374qA6FmKjGzBx2QK06rpU0pJp6tQr0YBUEduRezAlMgePShNL8Lxrm007wPNXnCaMGY6olpPV1_AATqls_WVSZ-qzQFz5pARhr4mMy2uOsK9qDLlDg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6VXLsKnDJxid_6fgLVyTeiii374qA6FmKjGzBx2QK06rpU0pJp6tQr0YBUEduRezAlMgePShNL8Lxrm007wPNXnCaMGY6olpPV1_AATqls_WVSZ-qzQFz5pARhr4mMy2uOsK9qDLlDg/s640/photo.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
There was much wine and BS around the table, we opted for a ramble down the hill to the Italian place again. Pizza, pasta and wine flowed freely and the owners even brought over a shot of Pruneau(sweet prune liquor shot) for the table. There are unfounded rumors that Kim fell asleep at the table. I guess its allowed, they had a bitch of a flight and train ride.<br />
<br />
Once again I had to double check the price. Odd that we can eat and drink so much for so little. <br />
<br />
Market day tomorrow!!Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768367833292750624.post-69328276505363944912013-09-18T01:43:00.001-07:002013-09-20T08:02:38.937-07:00A Fond Farewell! (Tuesday 9.17.2013)Today is a bittersweet day for us. We have had such a great time with Mom, Dad, Joanie and Gary and we are extremely sorry to see them go!<br />
<br />
We spent hours up in Dinan proper shopping for last minute souvenirs and trinkets and then the crew settled in for a light afternoon of packing and laundry.<br />
<br />
In the evening we walked down to the little Italian joint a few steps away and had a marvelous last meal.<br />
<br />
Everyone has been tremendous the past 2 weeks. Patient, funny, generous to a fault and full of surprises. Mom got her walking in, Gary got to paint damn near 24/7 and I think Mom and Joanie actually got to relax from time to time between wind sprints up THE HILL(tm). A wonderful group to start the trip with.<br />
<br />
Nita and I are getting up early to see folks off. They hope to be out of the house by 8:30, that should give them enough time to get to Rennes and through all the headaches of the airport.<br />
<br />
The next wave should hit us this afternoon so we at least have time to get beds stripped, sheets laundered and a quick run to the grocery store to restock.<br />
<br />
We will miss our first group of folks tremendously, but we are equally eager to see the next!<br />
<br />
Bon Voyage to all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37ronRGaQnt6zG29aY0Zy3nKrrBU2ejRyoJg_GFm66WOJ7Vo0G4NP3UZ9mXoRfWJtwyi4zt5gU2mPaJOECuKJfnG3-7xbxF5t56HpIGr1adoVZZrhQaa8_aB8bKcGHrG2dPouGsFB1kE/s1600/IMG_20130906_210136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37ronRGaQnt6zG29aY0Zy3nKrrBU2ejRyoJg_GFm66WOJ7Vo0G4NP3UZ9mXoRfWJtwyi4zt5gU2mPaJOECuKJfnG3-7xbxF5t56HpIGr1adoVZZrhQaa8_aB8bKcGHrG2dPouGsFB1kE/s640/IMG_20130906_210136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS9-OdiRI1fMs4t-w5vgTi2aVGmHOHDcVHQtw6XYYOREJX_MRoslXNSL3gYs_j9Olhe9FQIc9SUw1Bpqu2GhhsZn7C5ztrpZCL4Df1zUvhiwwo4TODFOorJi4F3gbIZQgNqI3uM_7UGk/s1600/IMG_20130907_190103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS9-OdiRI1fMs4t-w5vgTi2aVGmHOHDcVHQtw6XYYOREJX_MRoslXNSL3gYs_j9Olhe9FQIc9SUw1Bpqu2GhhsZn7C5ztrpZCL4Df1zUvhiwwo4TODFOorJi4F3gbIZQgNqI3uM_7UGk/s640/IMG_20130907_190103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXswQ_L2fzenVyfGJ1XiFXtxj6o2lRS3Dl4TmeleNlJK1xKkkQc-lDNYb18xd3R05hsyRBLWGz8SQRPA9uwrU3QfNffmSzx_izzK8DjdfSR5IpdBW15UW3-NojLQVo2krvbWy_7Cwupv0/s1600/IMG_20130914_203749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXswQ_L2fzenVyfGJ1XiFXtxj6o2lRS3Dl4TmeleNlJK1xKkkQc-lDNYb18xd3R05hsyRBLWGz8SQRPA9uwrU3QfNffmSzx_izzK8DjdfSR5IpdBW15UW3-NojLQVo2krvbWy_7Cwupv0/s640/IMG_20130914_203749.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Mark Overtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395285737324013086noreply@blogger.com0