Sunday, April 23rd, 2006 sunrise-07:05 sunset-21:02 low/high temp:7-16C (44.5-61F)
Before heading out this morning, I was hoping to get a couple unique morning
shots of the Church we visited the previous evening.
Of course, stopping at the 'bar' for a couple cups of fresh espresso was an
added bonus! We then picked up fresh croissant, pain-au-chocolate
and baguette at the bakery (Boulanger). The girls were nearly ready to leave when
we returned with their surprise breakfast treat.
I'm very happy with the photo Scott found this snail
(escargot)
I captured in the mist.
and caught the shot. They move so fast <G>...
The next stop was another church we spied, in the town of Beslé. We found some very unique architecture and also started to notice that slate is a VERY common indigenous stone here, used for almost everything, including driveway foundations.
We all liked the inverted image this bridge and the still water of the river
Vilaine created.
Just some nice nature scenes.
I love catching a bird alight over water.
We noticed the dried mud on the 'port' here. They must have had a massive
flood. I like the paw print there...
Entering the Village of
The scent from this tree was Scott notices the 'gravel' base of this
Beslé.
like strawberries.
driveway is actually slate chips.
Imagine the cost of that in the States!
No idea why, but I thought this a very cool house, and it's also a B&B and bar!
The Church of the Nineteenth Century of Beslé (Église XIXème siècle de Beslé). Unfortunately, it was closed. I know, a church
closed on Sunday? That's
what we thought. However, because some of the villages are so small,
apparently they have a
'traveling' minister or priest for many of them. At least that's what the
waitress/owner of the
below restaurant told me.
The town square.
The restaurant we stopped in to Scott and Kate get romantic
<sigh>.
grab some OJ, espresso and
use the facilities...
Here are some other examples of the architecture in this quaint village.
While I'm not much of a flower person, the girls are and they got some very nice
shots.
Leaving Beslé.
I really like these information maps, they are visually attractive
and quite informative about the location and surrounding area.
Brain sur Vilaine
Rosie water there!
Kate, hands on the wheel, um, ok, that didn't help.
Remember, Kate needs more practice driving...
Scott with the maps, and I just liked the style of
this
Kate clowning around.
old house.
That's a switch...
Grant's girls enjoy the view Another
church!
We decided to stop here and
at the front of the boat.
Let's stop!
explore. It was a great find for
because the church was open and
the town also had a municipal shower
that was immaculate, and free too!
Yup, that's slate 'siding'!
Now that's a magnolia bush! I chatted with the owner. He
was very friendly and helpful.
Looking back down at the boat and little gazebo. I liked the use of slate
for the information plaque.
Yep, those might be population numbers or they could be river flood levels, not
sure which.
While exploring the town, a bakery truck arrived at the above left photo, honked
its horn, and the villagers came out to purchase their fresh baked goods.
Apparently this village is actually too small to have its own bakery. They
seem to have solved the problem quite efficiently, though.
The Church & Abbey of Brain (L'église et L'abbeye du Brain). Very pretty, OPEN, and interestingly, the cemetery next to it is
raised significantly. The stone
wall Danielle is walking by, in the below photo, has the cemetery above and to the right of her, while
the church is to her
left.
See how high the cemetery is compared to the church right next to it!
Also, we began to notice how
seriously the people in this region take the duty of maintaining their
cemeteries. They were amazingly
clean, organized, and clearly even dusted recently!
This little church has it all, age, character, art, and a real sense of
historical significance.
The cloisters next door, behind Cindy below, are now the village school.
Showers done, time for a little wine and enjoy another amazingly gorgeous day of
weather on the Vilaine River.
Danielle bought this long sweater in Paris, and now it's near
A little French family enjoys a
impossible for her not to wear it.
picnic on the bank. The kids couldn't
stop waving to us and waiting for us
to wave back.
The girls prep for lunch while we start motoring to our next stop.
A couple nice shots of the architecture of the region.
Dang that's a long fishing pole!
Cindy just wantged a shot of the purple door & shutters.
Another reflection shot.
Kate catches some rays.
The curved bridge leading to Redon.
The next port of call for us is the ancient city of Redon. We arrived in the early afternoon, stayed in the port overnight, and left the next afternoon. We discovered that the dock electric connection is different than the standard wall outlet for France. Scott and I hoofed to Intermarché and picked up an adapter, along with real towels, which we later discovered were incorrectly tagged and actually we more like indoor/outdoor cotton rugs. Hey, they were cheap and did the job. they girls hit the SuperU for more groceries and such. We later discovered that the town market was the next morning. Prying the girls away from there was a challenge...
2 different churches off in the distance as we approach.
Nice little house on the river.
We had to take photos of this house and garden. A lot of effort
Getting closer to town.
is going into maintaining and protecting it!
I really liked the look of this The main
steeple as we approached, and the flying buttresses
village as we approached.
come into view, this should be an awesome church, if it's open!
Very old and quaint.
Sometimes you need to ask for The girls ready to explore!
Danielle is always finding
directions to the Capitainerie.
the flowers, and pollen...
Danielle was our nature photographer. she took many photos of flowers,
trees, cats, dogs, and
anything else animal or plant that crossed her path. Ansel Adams better
watch out!
There were kayak races down the secondary entrance to the port lock. they
would pause between
heats if there was a boat that needed to pass through the port lock below.
Tight fit there and a 90 degree turn directly into the lock! No room for
error.
There were mule carts rides for the kids on the cobble stone streets.
There was also a drum corps playing down the center of the main street.
There was apparently a celebration in the town that day, but we never found out
exactly what it was. The drum group was awesome and VERY LOUD! the
whole town shook with the rhythm of their beat!
Church and Abbey of Saint Sauveur (Eglise de Sainte Sauveur et Abbeye)
This is one of the first churches I've seen with a separated tower.
The rear buttresses were in great shape and the presence of this building all
the way around definitely created a sense of wonder about the builders and their
dedication!
The building with the 3 flags was once the rectory for the Church, but is now a
hotel.
It would certainly give a great view of the town square.
Above are 2 lovely stained glass windows, and an amazing depiction of
Mary teaching her son. Not an oft seen image.
When you first enter, the church is quite dark, except all the way to the front,
where the massive clear windows let in copious amounts of ethereal light
creating an awesomely inspiring effect!
Here, Scott walked into the courtyard of the Abbey, and considering the younger
students didn't mention anything, we chose to take some photos there. The
gardens were very well kept and clean. the building itself was obviously
still used regularly as a school. Very peaceful retreat area for anyone
needing a break from the city-life.
We decide to take a little break, and have a drink. This couple pulled up
on a very new Harley, and while chatting I mentioned how chic she looked in her
new Harley leather, at which point he smiled and she showed off her fashion
sense and Harley attitude.
The facade on this building Cindy
loves her fountains.
Sunday afternoon in the shopping district.
was quite amusing.
We could learn something about closing
stores on Sundays from the Europeans
and enjoying the FREE time!
A street performer enchants the young and old alike.
Now this is a GREAT photo!
Cindy and the girls say hello Kate and Danielle eye the
Had to take this photo, anyone who
to a little dog and chat with same outfit, but the next
knows my Cindy knows why...
the French woman.
day find they do not have
either size in stock.
Walking across the river bridge. Kate and I stopped here for
A group of students were sitting
deep in conversation, they
a beer.
on the steps playing some
walked right by us at the bar.
Reggae music. Sounded pretty good.
Good photo of Danielle.
I was chatting in a bar here with the bartender, Carolyne (Above left with Scott), I know how shocking that may be for you to believe I was in a bar, when a gentleman noticed my fragmented French and asked where I was from. When I said Chicago, Matthew (Above right with Scott as well) overheard and told me he's originally from Green Bay Wisconsin. He came to France to be closer to his kids. We then started chatting about home, the U.S. and why we were in Redon.
Luckily for us, he'd been here for a while, 10 plus years, and made many friends. Because, Danielle decided in the afternoon that she was really hungry for Nachos! I know, we're in France and she wants Mexican food. We, Scott and I, explained that we were waiting for the Mexican restaurant around the corner, L'Hacienda, to open. Matthew asked if we had reservations, to which we were quite surprised. He then explained that it is one of 2 very good non-French ethnic restaurants in the area and is always busy. He then asked Carolyne to call over and see when we might get a table. The owner, Brian, actually came over to the bar to meet us and give us a time-table.
The food was absolutely amazing! Seriously, this was some of the best Mexican food we've ever had, anywhere! And the really funny part, neither of the owners, husband and wife, are American or Mexican, both being from the U.K. We highly recommend L'Hacienda to ANYONE, just make reservations if at all possible, especially Thursday through Saturdays.
The outside, just off the river. The inside is definitely
Mother and daughter wait tables
decorated in the motif!
as well as bus them.
Gee, I wonder what Russ had for dessert...
Cheesecake! Best in France, bar none!