This is something I’d been meaning to do for ages as the path beckons enticingly as you drive from the town centre across the old railway bridge.   Try as much as I did,  no Google search came up with information about when the town lost its rail links although I have heard that in its hayday it had no fewer than 4 lines criss crossing it and now the nearest that’s left is a station in Beslé on the Paris – Rennes – Brest route.

So with Ian on his bike and me with my Nordic walking sticks (upper body workout?), we set out and soon found the first part of the walk quite muddy and churned up due to farm tractor access but it was still navigable.

.

A little way along the hedgerow had been thinned and allowed a lovely view over rolling countryside on the left.    We passed a delightful private area with a lake and Shetland ponies which was obviously someone’s holiday getaway and then a small stream meandered under the path.

.    Passing another farm on the right, I noticed the remains of old farming equipment  doing service as part of the fencing – the French are great recyclers and never throw anything away that might still have some use left in it.   I’ve seen some very ingenious uses of old bed springs as plant supports and even as a mechanism for closing a gate.     As we walked on we thought how lovely it would be if the people of Guémené still had the train service to Nantes and imagined seeing the countryside from the carriage windows.    Pretty soon we arrived at a tarmac road and what was obviously an old station house (now refurbished and lived in) on the opposite side of the road and that was the end of our line as far as we were aware.  .   Not wanting to end up walking to either the D15 Blain road or the D3 Plessé road, we  mooched around the small village of La Mignonnais  and soon picked up the train track again – not quite a circular route but about 6km all told.    I later found some maps online and found that we could have picked up the ongoing train track on the other side of the station house and that’s what we’ll do the next time we go walkies.     Although that will make it a much more substantial walk it does seem to end at the village of Cowdray .    Come and explore our lovely and diverse region and find your own holiday memories to treasure, click hier  to whet your appetite.

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

His latest masterpiece is finished and comes complete with an insect hotel which will be a great addition to the veg garden.     Lovingly crafted with lovely features such as the stable doors and shutters it’s just a shame we can’t take it on the road.    I wonder how many pallets have gone into his creations so far, what with the greenhouse, my workshop, the cold frames and mower shed not forgetting the playhouse and chicken coop and now the caravan, I imagine it must be quite a few that would otherwise have been dumped and burnt.   And on a day like today which started off very cold and frosty but developed into a glorious azure skyed, spirit lifting, afternoon I look at our  lovely gites and have to pinch myself that this is where we live.

To see these creations for yourself and get pallet wood tips from the master to perhaps create your own back home, just come on holiday here,  book one of our home away from homes  by contacting us here  .

 Although still departing from la- Chapelle-de-Brain, this time we set off in the opposite direction driving down the tiny road next to the classy looking Boulangerie on the left of the church.   One of our walkers lives just outside the village and we rendez-vous’d at hers so our route took us along the length of the rue des Devaloirs turning right at the T junction and parking outside her house a little way along that road.     The walk proper started down a footpath on the right of the main road whier we came across one of the many little signs explaining the local interest .    We continued on and after a quite steep descent came onto a tarmaced path leading through a small village which had an very interesting sign made up of carved blocks which rotated on a pole with a dashing little roof on top.   However weather and time had taken their toll and the inscriptions were almost illegible.   We then walked on to the Marais de Gannedel.     This is an area of vitally important wetlands created by the confluence of the Vilaine and Canut rivers.   Spanning an area of 500 hectares it provides a natural habitat and nesting area among the reed beds for  many species of birds.     It is also a very important pike spawning ground.     Around the Marais there are children’s info trails with signage about what they can  expect to see and apparently it is one of favourite outings among local schools.

Unfortunately due to the extremely dry 2011 and below average rainfall this winter, the wetlands don’t currently live up to their name and unless we get some serious downpours soon there will be repercussions  felt in this fragile eco-system.    The long bridge usually spans an area covered in water to a depth allowing punts to float but not this winter.    From the edge of the Marais we continued around and through the small village of  Le Pré passing a beautifully restored bread oven and then one in dire need of attention.   There is also an entire street of houses verging on collapse due to an extensive fire which swept through almost from one end to the other.    By the time we reached our car we had walked 7km and the sun had even graced us with a few rays along the way making the whole walk  thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the effort.

There are quite a few different walks to be had in this area and more information is available on these websites:   http://rando.abri.free.fr/Randonnees/1400-circuit-puits-marais-gannedel.htm    http://www.bretagne.com/fr/en_ille_et_vilaine/que_faire/balades/balades_a_pied/randonnee_entre_riviere_et_marais_a_la_chapelle_de_brain

Discover and explore our delightful region by booking one of the  gites , send us an enquiry by clicking here and I’ll get right back to you.

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

12►

I am also breathing a sigh of relief as I have finished the birthday present for my very dear friend Lindy and it’s on it’s way to the UK courtesy of some friends.   The last time I promised Lindy some Sashiko place mats for her conservatory’s table she had to wait quite a long time so I am very happy that this time I managed to delivery on schedule.   It should fit in nicely in her new Art Deco home. 

Yesterday was a glorious day and a group of us locals set off from La chapelle-de-Brain,  from the church (facing it) the path is reached just up the hill on the right after the new Mediateque building.   The first stage is in front of a war monument dedicated to the martyrs of the 2 world wars.   Through the dappled shade of the forest it’s a very easy stroll suitable for all ages.   Follow the path past fields, livestock and horses with glorious views of the surrounding countryside,  along the way there are numbered signposts explaining local information about the road like number 4  ‘The way of the dead’ which isn’t as grim as it sounds, merely the old path funeral cortéges took from nearby Brain sur Vilaine to the church at La chapelle.

We took the shorter route which on the ordinance map shows as C and B, covering 7 kilometers and bringing us to the banks of the river Vilaine.  The path runs along the length of this river and is wonderful for both cyclng and walking as well as horseriding.   So after 1 Stunden 40 mins we arrived back at the church in La Chapelle de Brain, if you decide to walk during the week, the village has a lovely boulangerie, cafe/bar and is an interesting place to mooch around.

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

To enjoy one or more of the delightful walks or cycle paths around here, just book one of our gites http://www.loireatlantique.co.uk/properties/ and find when they are available by clicking here.

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

   It’s like a kind of dolrums that sets in as it’s too cold to feel like doing much in the way of gite maintenance, too early to be planting anything, and there’s only so much time you can spend on the computer before you get stir crazy.     But … Ian rises above that sort of thing and the pallet king of Guemene Penfao is at it again.   Now it is a masterpiece entirely for his own pleasure – a gypsy caravan.  Purely static but amazing nonetheless,  it will be the centre piece of a small ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ type garden and will be his to create and enjoy.

Not one to be left out, I decided (a bit late in the year I know) to dig over and regenerate our raspberry patch as the originals have gone totally mad, sending out runners all over so that I have no idea where what is nor when it’s supposed to fruit and be pruned.     So while the mild weather was still with us I cleared the area and decided to do it by the book.  I found some great new varieties (I hope) and for only 3.50€ for a bundle of 5 bare roots I bought 3.    The trench took some digging, lots of lovely compost at the bottom together with some chicken manure all ready to plant …. then the frosts came.    This morning  was white as snow outside so I guess I’ll have to put it on hold for a bit and although I know we do need these cold snaps I hope it doesn’t last for too long.

We’ve also started taking long walks or at least I walk, Ian rides his bike as it’s kinder to his knees and I like to speed rather than saunter.   This way we are discovering lots of lovely tracks and trails (yes even after being here for years) which we can then recommend to the more energetic of our future guests.   So as we watch the setting sun and comment with glee on how much later it is than the previous day, we are counting the days to spring while counting our blessings in being able to live in these lovely surroundings.     You can enjoy our countryside too by booking one of our lovely gites http://www.loireatlantique.co.uk/properties/ at any time of year.

By sheer luck the guests were arriving late on Saturday and so I had the opportunity of going to the Breton horse event being held in the field just down the road.    From early morning these massive horses were being brought for a wonderful exhibition and judging of the best specimens.   We had visited the Breton Horse stud in Hennebont near Lorient a few years ago and were greatly impressed with the breed.    Apparently they were bred by Napoleon to terrify his enemies’ troops and I imagine if charged by these massive animals, not many people would hang about in their path.   There was a Breton horse race held a while back in Guenrouet and we watched 6 race around a circuit – believe me the ground really shook and I wondered how the jockey managed to stay on those huge girths. 

The show was really geared to the breeders of the Breton horse who are totally au fait with the characteristics to look at,  for the uninitiated it was just a great opportunity to marvel at the sheer magnificence and size of these gentle giants.    When they were being shown to the judges, there was a section they had to trot through and I did wonder how on earth anyone could stop a horse that had decided enough was enough and made a bolt for freedom.   

On the Sunday, we drove up to Nort sur Erdre for an afternoon’s racing as we had thoroughly enjoyed the course there and had managed to win 2 free tickets this week’s event.  Gift horse came to mind and we weren’t about to look one in the mouth.   The weather was not brilliant, it was that kind of very fine mist rain that saturates without actually being seen but there are several under cover areas so we managed to keep fairly dry.    We had a mixed bag of wins and losses but then you don’t really expect to be able to retire on winnings when you only place 2€ each way bets.    There was a little drama before one of the trotting cart races, one of the ‘jockeys’ fell off his cart and the horse bolted, it looked like it might sustain a serious injury as the cart careered wildly from side to side but although it took 20 minutes for it to wear itself out sufficiently to be caught, it was fine.    With that delaying the rest of the races, the final one didn’t take place until nearly 7pm and I was delighted when Ian’s horse came 1st and mine 3rd – delighted until I found out that as there were only 7 in the race the payout was only on the first & second past the post.   Bah humbug!   Well there’s always next time and we have another free ticket for that but only the one this time. 

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

Not only that, but our actual location is great for seeing so much more of the country then let’s say if we were on the coast and had only 180 degrees in which to be able to travel.    Here it’s the whole 360 and there’s somewhere great to go regardless of which direction the fancy takes you.  

Last weekend, (23, 24 & 25 Juli) saw Plessé’s annual fete which started on Saturday with a fair, disco and ended with a spectacular firework display all around their lovely lake and all for free.   This year we didn’t go (too tired after a double changeover) but have been every other year since we arrived and have never been disappointed, the atmosphere is great, loads of families, friends and kids gathering together and enjoying themselves.  No drunks, no agro, no vandalism, just a lovely time for all and what always makes me smile – at the end somehow everyone drives away with civility, curtesy and in no time at all with no outside assistance (cops) unlike the heavily policed versions in the UK.   O joy!   On Sunday we did go to the horse racing event also in Plessé, it’s the first time we’ve been to that course and were quite impressed at the infrastructure considering it’s only used 2 – 3 times a year.    With the mandatory bar, gallett/crepe/saussice outlet and coffee shop, it also had a great spread for kids with a gigantic bouncy obstacle course, pony rides and a race track of their own as well as traditional games all set out to one side of the  compound.  

Even though the weather wasn’t at its best and quite wet, we had a great time and Ian managed to place a winning bet (first 3)on every race which must be his record.   No chance of retiring just yet though as his biggest win was 10€ but he did cover all his expenses for the afternoon.   On our recommendation the Fitzgeralds who were staying in le camelia went the following day and also thoroughly enjoyed themselves.   Of course, we simply had to finish the day at our favourite creperie in Guenrouet overlooking the Nantes-Brest canal.   Lovely fresh crepes & gallets and very reasonably priced,  great friendly staff and beautiful terrace on which to relax and enjoy – what more can one ask for?

Ian is now on the great shed build phase 4,  after the greenhouse (phase 1) he decided to build a garden shed to house all my gardening stuff and the mowers.  On finishing that,  we thought it was just too nice to be simply a shed so it became my sewing room complete with power and a counter top for my machine.  One great disadvantage of living in small spaces is that you just can’t leave stuff around and so I hardly ever used my sewing machine as it meant always having to pack up for meals as we needed the table.  Not any more – I can make as much mess as I like and walk away to continue another time.   So then of course another shed was needed to house the evicted tools, chemicals and mowers – hence phase 3.   But it is a very small shed so Ian decided to extend my greenhouse to give more growing space and house the implements leaving the phase 3 shed for the mowers.   I really think this is the end of the shed building, although can you really ever be too rich, too thin or have too many sheds?  Watch this space …

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

This year saw the fabulous Tour de France whoosh its way from St Nazaire where an enterprising group of farmers created a wonderful tribute to their favourite national sport http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABPcSIsNuS8  .  Then it went via St Gilda du Bois and finished the 3rd stage in Redon.  http://www.letourdefrance.com/    I would have loved to be there but this year I just couldn’t get away so made do with a preview of the roundabout specially created for the event and watching it on TV.    

As we are quite fond of racing here in our neck of the woods as it’s so unpretentious we took Ian’s daughter who was visiting to the meet at Nort sur Erdre last week.   It was our first time at that track and we were quite impressed by the facilities.  It certainly made an impression on me as I had my largest win ever, a whole 11€ !  it was a lovely afternoon out and you can find these at least every week somewhere nearby throughout the season. 

On another day out we took her to la baule and along the cote sauvage, it was difficult to believe that we were there in peak holiday season and on a lovely sunny day as the beaches were so empty.   I was impressed by the amount of stuff there is for children along the beaches as well as the more usual sports like windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing etc.   For whatever reason, that particular stretch of coast was beset by a mini plague of ladybirds, they were everywhere and it was hard not to step on them while walking.   A very strange sight I found was further along the cote sauvage,  an area where the snails all congregated on grass stalks.  I have never seen anything like that before.

More local - Le Tempo bar in Guemene has organised a live music evening every Wednesday throughout summer, the evening I went had a very talented blues singer giving it his all.   Unfortunately yesterday’s Bastille day celebrations in Guemene were a bit of a wash out as it didn’t stop raining all day, however although I didn’t brave the elements it sounded like people managed to have a great time and the fireworks still went off with a bang.     That’s the nice thing about the towns staggering their celebrations, even if the weather is foul on the day itself, you’ll still find somewhere nearby doing its thing on a nice night.

Ian has really outdone himself with pallets and created the shed to die for.  This started out as an ordinary garden shed but has now become my sewing workshop, with electricity, lighting, plasterboarded throughout and with a great work counter , I can now set up my machine there and get on with so much that I’ve put off doing as in our cubby hole of a home, I have to put everything away if we want a table to have dinner on.  Having  created this, he then went on to build another mini shed for the mowers and gardening stuff, how cool is that?   What a man!

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

Starting  with the open gardens to visit which are a bit like the UK’s yellow book but not so regimented, the Tour de Bretagne Vintage car rally and then the music festivals held by all towns and villages around the 21st as well as horse racing which is held in Grand-Fougeray around the beginning and towards the end of June. 

This year we’ve done them all and enjoyed every minute.  I visited several private gardens with a local gardening club I joined, but there is a listing of gardens open to the public throughout Loire Atlantique and Brittany which open their gates during this event.  I have to admit that I still prefer the British style of gardening and having been to most of the RHS shows, the French equivalents do leave a lot to be desired, however, the friendliness and enthusiasm of local amateurs more than makes up for it.   There are also a few gardens open all during spring & summer which I’d recommend within easy reach of our gites like the Gardens Kermoureau  located near Hergnac .  Nantes has several spectacular ones like the Parc du Grand Blottereau which hosts one of the better garden shows in September but is a joy to visit at any time of year. 

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

Last weekend saw the start of the long awaited rainy season which effectively ended what was a 4 month period of near draught but this was a very strange year everywhere in Europe and certainly not the norm.  So amidst brollys and macs we braved the weather and saw the beautiful vintage and classic car cavalcade come through Guemene as part of the Tour de Bretagne.  Last year the northern route went from south to north through Grand-Fougeray but this year it was reversed and had a stop in Guemene after Grand-Fougeray.   It’s too early to see the route for 2012 but I’m sure it will include towns on our doorstep again.  

Unfortunately the powers that be took our prayers for rain very seriously and it has continued for most of the time since and put a bit of a dampner on our music festival held last Saturday.   I have never seen the streets so empty during this annual event but the music rewarded those brave enough to venture out.   We spent the most time listening to a great group from St Martin de Bréhal  called Nat’n roll, they consisted of a very talented singer who also played the keyboards & guitar and belted out many old UK/US favourites.   What I love about these events in France is that they can be enjoyed by all without fear that the minority lout element will spoil it, even though there were groups of people who’d obviously enjoy their Stella a bit too much, they were still good natured and unthreatening.   The Guemene Penfao Festival also included groups and bands from Rennes, Poitiers, Redon, Nantes as well as home grown ones.   I loved a demonstration of Druidic ‘music’ created by drawing on reeds held above a copper bowl with some water in it – sounded very much like the sound of an aboriginal  didgeridoo, very creepy.   The whole of France takes part in the musical festivities which start around 2nd week of June and continue to the end if the month in some towns.  Here we had them in Beslé, Derval and Chateaubriant last Friday, Guemene on Saturday, and there’s still one to come next Saturday in Grande-Fougeray. 

Yesterday it stopped raining long enough for us to have an afternoon at the races held in Grand-Fougeray.  A very enjoyable afternoon watching the trotters and steeplechasers with a few bets placed and won.  However, it’s so difficult to gage chances with the trotters as they are disqualified if they break into a gallop which a lot do.    Fingers crossed now for a dry spell, it can rain at night but we’ve had enough wet days.

[Ansicht mit PicLens]

123►