As luck would have it, we didn't have far to go. With a stop in the town of Ploermel on the way, we ventured onto the highway briefly to get to Josselin.
Lets back up for a bit though.
We started work around 8am this morning, intending to do a full day, but with the Hosts back on site, we had a few things to discuss before going any further. We also had wet surfaces that needed time to dry.
Ernie and Terry came calling just before noon, and we went through our check list with them, and discovered some other things we weren't aware of but now have to take into consideration....like, we need an electrician and a plumber! stat! (that means NOW). Unfortunately neither of these tradespeople speak English, so this is going to be exciting. Lots of gesticulating going to happen!
We kind of ran out of steam by lunch time, and we were encouraged to take some time off from the grind, so we did. We enjoyed a tomato/Basil soup with 'loads of grain' bread before setting out around 1pm. Josselin was the destination.
Waz s doing some jiggery pokery in the corner beside the shower. He has just installed the green waterproof board where the tile will be laid.
The day was turning warm, but we still took our jackets with us when we left he apartment.
This Cross is literally at the bottom of the road leading to the Chateau Le Mur where we are staying. It is at the 'Cross-Roads'. It is typical of most cross roads for there to be a cross or saint or some other form of religious icon. We turn right here to get to Guer, 8 kms down the road and from where we can enter the motorway.
To get to Josselin, our dear friend, the lady in the GPS took us thither and yon down country roads. Actually , we had made our first destination Ploermel, and this is the cross-road taking us there, about 15 mins from home. What we didn't know, when we took this photo, was that the rock walls that you see encompass the grounds of the Chateau de la Gree de Callac, built between 1892 and 1908 in the Grand Neo Renaissance style. If we had turned right towards Augan, we would have been able to look down into the grounds of the Chateau and see the Chateau itself. We didn't...will next time perhaps! Instead we took the left fork, and went along the broken (often) wall of the Chateau property towards our first destination, which turned out to be much larger than we had anticipated. There, at the first roundabout (of which there are so many, thankfully, in France) we encountered the largest Super U supermarche (supermarket), which had everything from furniture, to clothing to books etc..you get the picture. A high class kind of K-Mart with food...or something.
Further down this road we came across this Gate House for the Chateau, with gates to the far left. Stunning!
and past Ploermel and on towards Josselin. We parked right outside a Poste shop, fortunately, because every time we have seen one in every other place, we have driven right by it. Most of them have scant parking, so this was most fortuitous! We had things to mail!.This one is in the old Historic Town of Josselin. They aren't great huge post offices like they have in the USA and NZ
Those men were removing the blue and white flags, when we entered to town.
Imagine designing one of these churches, let alone building one! This is built in the Grand Gothic style, so popular in these parts. So many churches have all this ornamentation.
TADA! Here it is..the Chateau de Josselin. The history here is just fantastic. If you can be bothered, google the Chateau and read the History in English. When I google, I get everything in French and it is laborious for me to translate it all! sorry. The River Oust runs past the Chateau and has played a huge part in the military as well as the commercial history of the city, as they usually do. Today, it was a very serene scene with many pleasure craft tied up to the dock further along the river. We didn't go inside, as by now it was 4.30pm!
Looking the other way, back to the bridge. This Chateau is literally built on rock, as you can see. The original fortress was started back in 800 something! incredible!
Horse armour. We do see some amazing sights, don't we?
and of course...This house was for sale..whoopee...except that there would be a gazillion tourists passing your front door every year during summer. I don't think I could stand it. It even has a garage, on the left! It was advertised in English....the only other accents we heard here today were English. I have to say I don't like it!
Well, another day done and dusted. I think we are off to St Malo/Dinan tomorrow. Anyhooo. time for a cuppa and a good night's sleep. Au Revoir!
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