The aire we are at, is near St Malo and its called Rotheneuf. It is really busy and although its not far from Cancale the forecast is for high 20’s and we think we need to be near the coast for its coolness and a swim. We stay here 3 nights and although the tide is right out during the day we manage a walk along the beach in the morning and a swim late afternoon. On the 2nd day we are here Scot has found a historic site where faces are carved in the rocks so we head off about lunchtime to see them. In typical fashion the site is closed between 12 and 2. We go to leave and come back later but we get chatting to an elderly English lady and before we know it, its 2 oclock and we head back.
We then realise its cash only and we havent any on us, but the lady shouts us to get in. It is another stunning day and the view is lovely from the cliffs where the rocks are. The rocks were carved by a local priest in the 19th century over a 25 year period. They depict a story of the Rotheneufs who ended up pirating the English channel and stealing lots of booty. They are incredibly clever, but what we didnt realise at the time is that you have to climb to the seafront to see some only seen at low tide. The rock climbing was not for anyone frail as it was quite trecherous in some parts. We end up buying Rose a drink at the restaurant nearby before we leave since she paid for us to get in.
We set off the next day and we are heading to the western coast of Brittany. On the way though we travel around the coastline which really takes quite some time. Before we know it, the day is getting away on us and we decide to stop at Paimpol where we have found an aire. On arriving at this little port town it is absolutely pumping with people and the road we need to travel on has been blocked off because the circus is in town. The deviation would take us through the tiny cobbled streets which will lead us into trouble, so we stop all traffic by doing a 3 point turn and head back the way we have come. We find the aire taken over by the circus so head to the train station carpark where it seems all other campers have settled for the night. We park up and head out to look around. It is a lovely port area but the circus has well and truly taken over the whole area even blocking businesses. There is a steam train on the tracks not far from our park and the coal fumes are taking over our van inside which thankfully dies down around bedtime.
This area seems to be plagued with kids on 2 stroke bikes. It is all we hear all night but thankfully they do stop only to restart again about 7 in the morning.
We are headed for another couple of high temp days and we think again staying on the coast is the idea. So we head to the most western part of France which is Plouarzel. There are 2 aires here not far apart but the first one we stop at is a small distance from the sea and it feels like there isnt any breeze and already it is too hot for me. So we head to the other which it looks like all others have done as well. It is absolutely chaos here in terms of cars and people and then we realise it is a public holiday – ascension day – here in France. No wonder the small beach is crowded. We still park up in the aire and settle for the night.
It is hot the next day so we head down to the beach for a swim and thankfully there are not so many people. There is a lot of seaweed here which they look like they are harvesting and drying in a nearby paddock. I wouldnt mind betting they are selling it to pharmaceutical companies for its iodine properties or perhaps the japanese. We have a swim and the water is really cold. No wonder few people have ventured in. Once in and your body numbs it is ok. The top foot of the water feels ok, so when you swim its bearable but putting your legs down chills you through.
We sit and watch the sun go down here, it is just stunning. Its not ofter we are on a west coast to see this so we sit until about 10.45pm until it has disappeared. We love these long nights but if you want to go to sleep around 10ish it is still sunny and light.
The next morning standing in our bathroom the floor feels very wet and i discover our newly installed bathroom tap is leaking again. Something isnt right about it but we arent sure. I take everything out to dry and keep a container under it to catch the water. We arent sure what the problem is but we cant do anything where we are. We will have to keep an eye on it until we get somewhere we can take it apart again as we will need to empty some water out to look at it. Its a pain in the butt having this happen as we have to keep the pump off all the time.
