Before heading back to Oz we decided to take a trip to the UK via Brittany an area we had not been to before. We stopped at Tours on the way up and were treated to a sound and light show at the cathedral. The lights were spectacular and gave the history of the Church, including two huge fires, and yet they rebuilt and rebuilt. it was a great way of showing 800 years of history.
 |
| Tours Cathedral - son et lumiere |
 |
| Tours a interesting old town |
And onto Brittany and the famous walled town of St.Malo...historical note here...the entire town was virtually flattened during the second world war...however both Germans and Americans came together to rebuilt it exactly as it was....and everything that was old is new again. It is hard to detect what is new, but many of the buildings have very crisp edges, not showing the wear and tear of centuries.
We moved onto our base in Brittany, an Air B&B in St Malo on the outskirts of town. And although we had a balcony we were unable to use it as a pigeon had set up her nursery in the flowerbox...3 noisy little chicks arrived on our second day. Our arrival had been timed to celebrate a special birthday for Andrew. We booked an evening meal at one of the famous restaurants set in the walls that surrounded the old city. Seafood in abundance, ahoy!
 |
| St Malo - a birthday dinner |
 |
| Seafood specialty |
Most of the Oysters in St Malo come from Cancale - so we ventured there for a looksee , with see and found a delightful seaside town, with dozens of stalls selling the daily catch. We returned several times for dinner as it was quieter than St Malo.!
 |
| Cancale - home of the oyster |
 |
| St Malo - Intra Muros (meaning within the walls) |
These are all examples of rebuilding....looks authentic...but....we saw the pictures of it taken in 1946.
We did lots of trips out from St Malo to some of the very pretty ancient towns throughout |Brittany. One of the highlights was Dinan which is perched way above a little river port.We were surprised to see lots of barge and boats, there is a small, but very active canal route here.
 |
| The charming town of Dinan |
 |
| And for those who think the 'Tudor' style is English...think again. |
 |
| The older houses appear to lean into the street. |
 |
| A very tiny square with old houses resting on the original walls. |
 |
| The cobbled streets lead down to the Port. |
Being France there was a les Halles just around the corner from our flat, and this specialised in the local seafood...all closely inspected and bartered for by the ladies of the town.
 |
| Les Halles |
We of course had to visit Mont St Michel, which is interesting but VERY touristy.
 |
| Mont St Michel |
 |
| Up and up and up |
 |
| This photo is a rarity...no a single person in view. |
There have been great changes at Mont St Michael due to the huge number of visitors....no more parking on the sand and walking across at low tide. These days it is Park and Ride, huge buses go every 2 minutes. Massive new shops and restaurants surrounded the old sand parking places. It is a dilemma...everyone wants to go...but everyone goes it loses the magic and the mystery.
Another famous town to visit was Rennes, a bastion to the 'Tudor style but with red and ochre rather than black and white.
 |
| Rennes |
UK
From St Malo we caught the ferry to Jersey. We spent a couple of days driving round the island on narrow one lane road. The island is tiny - only 5 miles long and 9 miles wide. ...but packed with pretty villages, quaint pubs...and a terrific war museum. A pleasant time before we headed to England.
After a night in Portsmouth we headed up to Wallingford where Brian and Mary had offered us a cruise up the Thames on Kyrenia.
 |
| Moored in Wallingford |
 |
| The butter Mountain! |
 |
| It is good to see that Brian hasn't lost his French mooring standards |
 |
| Sitting quietly at our mooring and what should appear! |
 |
| Mauritzio offered the girls a ride |
 |
| And the ladies declined his offer of a serenade...it was just so peaceful. |
 |
| Maurittizio was taking his gondola from Oxford to London to rasie money to restore an old boat year in Venice. |
After a terrific time cruising on the Thames we were amazed by the sheer volume of barges and boats, and the rapacity of the farmers who charge up to £10 a night for a mooring...no bollards, no water no electricity. We cruised down to Reading and back again...so good to spend some time with Mary and Brian again.
Time to head off to the big city and city and catch up with Vanessa and Mark in London, and Dawn, Mark, Jenny and Susan in Ashington. . Did some sightseeing, ate some great food...took no pictures...sorry everyone!
 |
David and Gill offered us a bed for a
couple of nights on the way to the ferry. |
Australia
And so back to Australia for Xmas.
We joined our friendship group for a wonderful getaway in Bright up in the Victorian Alps
 |
| Bright |
 |
| View across the Victorian Alps |
 |
| This group just looks younger every year! |
 |
| Visual representation of 'old codgers' |
 |
| Sometimes forget how beautiful Australian is. |
 |
| The fit and active took the high road |
 |
| Team trek |
 |
Others not so active, having a head for heights was mandatory.
A FAMILY MILESTONE |
After much searching Cordelia finally took her first step on the property ladder with the purchase of a lovely 2 bedroom flat in Thornbury,
 |
| Cordelias new apartment |
 |
| Cheery Elfie |
 |
| The girls have too many toys on their phones |
 |
| Happy Nora |
 |
| The gals |
 |
| Miranda and Cat at white night |
 |
| Peeping Nora waiting for a toy to be thrown |
 |
| It somehow seemed appropriate! |
