"This is what we love about Bretagne!"

The entire day we had enjoyed the fresh air, beautiful landscapes, stone houses with blue shutters and doors, sheep, horses, and rabbits. We were surrounded by the water and could almost always get glimpse of the water on the horizon line. Never-the less, as we biked over a slight hill through the wild countryside of Ile d'Oeussant the breath-taking view of the rocky coast look us both by surprise. After we setting down our bikes to explore by foot, Katie turned and reminded me that "this is what we love about Bretagne!"



Katie and I visited this Island, which is west of the continent (approx 2 hours by Ferry), on Saturday. We had been there before in September with her sailing boys but hadn't adequately explored the island. We got the Ferry at 8h30, spent all afternoon on the island biking from point to point, and returned at 17h. The were so thankful for such a beautiful day. It's a risk to go out to the island because if the weather turns bad you are stuck there until the Ferry returns. It's a great place to go but if you can't hike, bike or picnic then there isn't much to do but sit in one of the few bars, tabacs, crêperies or brasseries.

This island used to be one of the most dangerous spots for ships. Supposedly, the inhabitants used to lure ships towards their island in hopes that they would crash. This allowed them to live off the goods and materials that washed up off shore or that they stole from the boats. Sirens and lighthouses have since been installed to help seaman navigate their way around this rocky island.

We didn't have time to go to the North(west?) tip of the island where you can see seals and puffins! So we might go back again in the upcoming weeks if the weather is nice and we don't have to proctor exams.
Classes ended last week and exams start tomorrow. Between the proctoring, grading and packing I'm still planning to fit in 1) a trip with friends to Plouescat and 2) biking from chateau to chateau in the Loire for a few days with Katie.
I can't believe that I return to the states in 21 days. C'est dingue!



If you want to see more pics check them out on my picasa site by clicking the image below:

From Ile d'Ouessant