The Brittany Ferries crossing to St Malo was perfect. We arrived on the dot at 8.15 am and got off the ferry with minimum fuss – none of the scary reversing you have to do on Italian ferries.
Lottie was a bit stressed when I arrived, but it turned out that was due to terrible tummy troubles. She had an explosive start to her trip, but a good run on the beach below the old walled town of St Malo soon stopped the squits.
St Malo had an out of season feel to it and was a bit chilly, but it must be fantastic in summer. Apart from its other attractions, there’s a saltwater swimming pool.
I was just about to walk out to the Grand Bé island (opposite the Petit Bé Fort), but beat a hasty retreat when it started to rain.
After the biggest almond croissant imaginable, I paid a visit to my favourite Breton shop. Yves Rocher sells brilliant plant-based products.
Today’s drive was very easy and uneventful. I listened to Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Yesterday on the trip to Portsmouth, I finished off The Survivors, by Jane Harper – both highly recommended.
I’m spending the night in an Ibis Styles hotel in the middle of flat agricultural land near a service station and a centre to promote regional produce with some weird futuristic architecture in evidence. It’s not very inspiring but at least I’ll have an easy start for my trip to Hondarribia, just over the Spanish border.
