Cancale – St Malo. 13 Miles.
Today is our last day on the bikes if you don’t count the short trek to and from the ferry tomorrow. The weather is fine this morning so it bodes well for the plan of a late breakfast, and then a trip around the coast to St Malo to spend the afternoon exploring. My compatriot was heard to say hardly worth getting ready for 13 miles.
En-route we stop at St Coulomb. Being 10:00 on Sunday, and based on previous experience, I predict nothing will be open. On this rare occasion I am wrong. We arrive at a square with tabac, cafe and supermarket all open. We sit in the sunshine enjoying a coffee and tea respectively. The cafe had petrol pumps as door handles and other motorbike memorobilia of interest inside.
The route winds it’s way through fields with leeks and cabbages at various stages of growth. It then starts to follow the coast as we approach St Malo with stunning views.
I notice that adjacent to the cycleway is the promenade along the beach. So we divert and walk along pushing our bikes the mile or so of it’s length.
At the end of the promenade is the walled city. It is now around midday. We pass by the walls and through the inner dock basin to our hotel. It is too early to book in, but we can lock the bikes in their garage, and leave our panniers. This means we can walk back and explore the narrow streets, stop for a beer in the sunshine and later a baguette. I am allowed this as well as fruit today.
We were just about to walk back to our hotel when we were aware that there were soldiers directing us around a small unattended silver case. Watching their antics from a distance we could see the police and military were very disorganised. The tourists ignored the armed soldiers attempting to block their way. The police arrived and started searching in the back of their van presumably for something to cordon the area off. They called another van, one that was clearly equipped with some tape but unfortunately it was too short to tie across the gap. A third van arrived with longer tape and some cones. These were all deposited appropriatley and tourists were now appreciating they should take notice of the growing number of police and soldiers. A forth van arrived, with an older man; in a different uniform, who casually walked up to the silver case, looked at it, proceeded to unlock the latches and look inside. As it had not gone bang he walked around showing his colleagues the case and opening it. We past an amusing half hour in the sun, however, being nosey means I now have a sore nosey from sunburn.
After booking into the hotel and changing we walk back to the walled town to seek out a restaurant for a meal. We stop at an interesting Afghan restaurant with a couple of tables occupied and thought this would be something different for our last night. We were given menus and could see the waiters at the back chatting and after 15 minutes of being ignored walked out. We found another buzzing restaurant round the corner and had an excellent Bretton meal.
Good morning both from the comfort of my regular room here at the Holiday Inn in Droitwich!
Ed,I have to say,I’m impressed and amazed at the transformation that you’ve gone through on this trip.
I remember you when you were a Macho,no nonsense,meat eating,beer swilling example of the male gender!
Not sure that you’re “softer” side will sit well with your established role as “co navigator “ in the Dinosoarse Cycling Association♂️♀️
I take it,given your new dietary regime,that Curry night on Wednesday is cancelled?
Perhaps you should ask your “compatriot “?
Seriously though,a stunning achievement by you bothsafe journey back to Blighty and I wish you a speedy recovery Ed