Ho-Hum Yet Another Seaside Visit

The weather report yesterday threatened cloudy skies today with scattered showers on Sunday.  I've been wanting to visit Saint Malo, a walled city on the north Atlantic coast.  Given the forecast and, being the shrewd planner that I am, not to mention my reluctance to ride in the rain if avoidable, I determined to make the trip today and not on Sunday.  So...off I went.

110 Miles from Nantes to Saint Malo

Coming into Saint Malo you circle round the Cartier Basin (I saw no diamonds...but I saw people who have some.)

But first, we have to get there.

Probably comes as a surprise to you, but the weatherman was wrong.  And, so, as ordered by Clint Eastwood in 'Heartbreak Ridge (1986), I chose to "adapt, overcome, survive;" I took the car.  The rain was very light but drizzled almost all the way there.  It stopped for the time I was visiting then began again on my return.  Through all of this I was sad that I hadn't chosen to ride Betsy.  There were (still) a lot of bikes on the road and it just wasn't that bad.  Of course, with my luck, had I saddled up Betsy animals would have started pairing up along the side of the road.

All that notwithstanding, I managed to get there.

Private boats in Bassin Cartier.
I think our buddy, Tony H. (See entry for Jan. 27th), keeps a sailboat around here.  I wonder if I'm looking at it.

First entry into the walled city from my parking place.

However, being the contrary fellow I am, I chose to ignore that initial entrance and walk around the wall to check the place out.
This is a pretty entrance area at the far north of the city, adjacent to the water.

City guardian, Fort Royale

Back around to the city wall.

Inside the wall now, I come upon this handsome edifice. 
The Hotel Chateaubriand.

A little further "inside" a small square with flowers.  Boy, I'll tell you, spring is really something in Europe.

The place isn't flat.  Looking up the street.

Looking down the street.

This stuff is neat...but a little tough on my gimpy leg.  That stone is still in there moving little, but letting its presence known.

Stopped for a light lunch a this little restaurant.  As with most of these tourist cities, you can't swing a dead cat an not hit a restaurant, hotel, bar, or gift/souvenir shop.

But, the luncheon was good.  I've ceased being sensitive about asking for "cafe long avec du leu chaud."  That means extra hot water to "tone" it down some.  Sometimes I just want "American" coffee.  I think Europeans drink coffee for the kick,  while we wimps water it down and actually like it.  Surprisingly, I have developed a taste for the stronger stuff as well, usually drinking it "ala European."  So, when I hear the rebuttal from my French friends I can believe they like it too.

Upon the wall, looking into the city.

These next two will give you an idea of the thickness of the walls.  Short of a bunker-buster and nukes, I don't think we have any standard artillery that would breach them today.

They still have the doors so they can close it off if they want. 












A couple of hours drive and I'm back in Nantes hoping the weatherman is wrong again tomorrow.  A round of golf would be nice.