Town with a large collection of megalithic stones spread across the countryside. More than 300 stones in 3 major groups. Stones hewn from local rock and probably erected 3300 BC or earlier which makes them 1000 years older than Stonehenge. Up to 4M tall and run parallel in up to eleven rows.
A medieval hilltop town dating from the 13th century. A large section of walls still remain and many half timbered houses overhanging the streets below - they were taxed on the ground floor area. Saw an example of "any man's tombstone" from the 100 Years war - just add a head for a quick and easy burial. Walked 2 km along the river to the nearby village of Lehon with a 9th century abbey and cloister garden.
The aire we were to stay in was closed (another one) and didn't find the one at the port until we were walking back to the truck at the end of the day! Anyway . . . St Malo - founded in the 6th century probably by St Maclou (from Wales), a fortified island at the mouth of the Rance River. Notorious home of the French Corsairs. Jacques Cartier sailed from here to eventually find his way up the St Lawrence Seaway and be considered the French discoverer of Canada - don't mention the Vikings. The first colonists of the Falkland Islands also came from here - Iles Malouines (or Spanish Malvinas). Most of the town was bombed in WW2 but rebuilt.
A grey old day. Baulked at the cost of the carpark - reversed quickly away from the barrier, fortunately this early in the season it was very quiet. Drove down the road a couple of KM and parked in the aire. Scootered the 3 km back to the carpark then caught the free bus across the new bridge. Sort of takes the romance away but very convenient. The land reclaimation has been stopped as the silting up of the river was going to make the island part of the mainland. Fortification since ancient times and a monastery since the 8th century. It is pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry - one of William's battles - involving quicksand foiling the bad guys.
Went to see the tapestry . . . . that is not . . . it's a linen embroidery. Nearly 70 metres long and tells the story of Edward the Confessor, Harold (the usurper) and William the Bastard soon to be Conquerer. Tells the story . . . from the Norman side . . . and considering it was lost, used as a carriage covering during the French Revolution, bombed, studied by the Nazi invaders etc, etc . . . lucky its still here. Very interesting exhibition and museum. Camped for free in the carpark of the Normandy Museum (WW2).
Stopped at Deauville for a quick look. Popularised in the late 1800s - yachts and Casino. Often mentioned in novels by Agatha Christie and PG Wodehouse as their characters went for a relaxing holiday to France. Most of the homes were shut up tight and the waterfront aspect was obviously not what it used to be.
Formerly a small sheltered harbour on the south bank at the mouth of the Seine River - now overshadowed by Le Harve on the opposite bank. Stayed 2 nights in the aire (motorhome parking area) walking distance from town. Many sailed from this port over the centuries - one to discover what is now Quebec. As walked to the town spotted the Sea Shepherd at anchor. Managed to have lunch in a café and order our meal without ending up "Moules" (mussels). Also managed to have a long conversation with a couple in a huge motorhome - we no Francais and they no Anglaise!
Stopped at Etretat a small seaside village with white cliffs a la Dover. Looking at the map it is obvious where UK land area was attached to Europe!
The truck has been in storage in a shed on the northern side of Dartmoor in the UK since Aug 2014. This time we arrived at Amsterdam, then an EasyJet flight to Bristol (the nearest airport in the UK). Collected the truck - all charged up and ready to go at the front door - wasn't even dusty! Intentions are cross to Katwjik (Netherlands) to visit friends, then travel through France, Spain and Portugal returning to store the truck - this time at Middelburg (Netherlands).
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