Protests & Rainy Brittany

After 40 minutes stopped at a roundabout we blagged our way through a roadblock which caused an argument between the person who guided us through the crowds, and the remaining protesters, I’m not easily intimidated but it was very scary when we were surrounded by crowds of people all shouting and pointing at us whilst they sorted it out and let us on our way.

We couldn’t follow the Snooper because the smaller roads were blocked and not being familiar with the route we had no choice but to follow the diversions and ended up sitting on a motorway for 3 hours at the end of a very long tailback. Finally allowed to move which was 10 mph for about 600 meters then we were stopped again for another 40 minutes.

The motorway was blocked both ways with huge farm machinery and any vehicle that attempted to get through was chased and slowed down by motorbikes who surrounded them and then they were blocked in by cars.

Motorbikes doing frightening speeds on the empty sections of motorways to get into their next positions, it was very well organised.  I’m not the most patient of people and the French pushed us to the limit. The only saving grace was we’re in Eugene nice and cosy and munching our way through our snack cupboard.  We finally got off the motorway and to our free Aire at 7pm.

We spent the next 2 days with long drives trying to steer clear of the bigger cities and taking the long way around.  We were caught up in a few more protests but these lasted 10 minutes or so, so not to bad.

20th November to 11th December

We arrived at our destination near Corlay, Cotes d’Amour which is north-western corner of France.

Our hosts are Ivan & Lesley who have lived here for the past 18 years.  We met Miah (a Saluki) and Babe (Greyhound).  We spent the day with Ivan & Lesley with them showing us walking routes and helping us find our way into town for the supermarket.

Miah wants to come in lol

Its really cold up here, its really frosty and the temperature is barely up to 6 degrees.

The first week the weather was cold, but dry, the second week it was really foggy we couldn’t see to the end of the garden and this lasted all week.  This past week we’ve had pouring rain and high winds.

The area where Ivan & Lesley live is a car drive away from the village, the only neighbour is at the end of the road and in 3 weeks we haven’t seen another person whilst on our walks.  Most of our walks, an hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon have been through the country lanes.  The cows are entertaining, running across the field as soon as they see us coming, its very funny.

We’ve been up before 8am and have managed to see some beautiful sunrises in between the rainy and foggy days.

Our daily walks are about a 6 miles and we’ve seen some beautiful derelict french properties, ‘No Keith don’t even ask’.

We’ve seen a deer in the field opposite the house and saw a fox whilst on our walk, unfortunately the dogs saw it as well and almost dragged us along the road in an attempt to chase after it.

We’ve only had one minor issue in 3 weeks.  We took the dogs in the car 40 minutes away to a beautiful lake at Abbay Bonrepos.  The dogs have to be kept on a lead at all times.  We had a lovely walk with both of them digging holes in the grass verge looking for mice and voles.

We get back to the car and see a couple walking past with a dog, they don’t stop but walk up the hill.  Babe loves to see new people and started whining for us to take her over.  A few treats and she’s distracted.  I put Miah in the boot of the car, keeping hold of her lead.  Keith tries to get Babe to get in, but she won’t get in and starts backing away.  He gives her lead a tug, she slips the collar and before we know whats happened, she is off ‘like a greyhound’ F*&K.  Next thing Miah jumps out the car and runs after Babe.  I give chase, up hill and see them with the couple with the dog further up the road.  Because Babe hasn’t got a collar on they can’t hold her and when she sees me she runs off again with Miah in tow.  F&*k, f*&k.  I don’t stand a chance of catching them, they don’t want to be caught.  Keith runs back down the road and gets the car.  The dogs have ran about 300 meters up the hill.  Suddenly they stop in the road when I’m shouting at the them I’ve got treats!!  They both run back to me just as Keith arrives in the car.  Get the collar on, in the car, hallelujah!!