We went over from Portsmouth to St Malo overnight and then on the Friday 5th started our cycling tour. We went on our first day to Sables ‘de Or les Pins. It was a lovely day and we stopped in Ploubalay for a coffee break. The views were stunning with sandy beaches, lovely houses and not much traffic which is of course always good. We detoured to Fort la Latte on the way which was lovely to look at and we took photos but decided not to stop for too long as we had a way to go. Lovely hotel but not quite enough for dinner – hey ho!

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Next day was to Saint Quay Portrieux. Very changeable weather today. It started fine and we had a picnic lunch but then thunder, lightening! Fun! We sheltered in a Yacht Club building for a while and later on we had a super cup of tea in a cafe at Binic before arriving at our destination. Sunday was lovely for a bit but then the rain came again! It was a lovely ride through Kermaria to see the thirteenth century chapel (which unfortunately was closed) and to Lanlett where we looked briefly at a roman temple. At Pentrieux we stopped to have a galette for lunch and a welcome hot drink. The wind was against us by now but we stopped at Treguier where we looked at the 11th century cathedral St Tugdual. Really beautiful. We arrived at Ploumanach for the night and for tomorrow’s ‘day of rest’. The beach here was small but had lovely pink granite rocks and that evening was stunning. Unfortunately, our day off was a washout – such a shame, we were looking forward to sitting on the beach!

Tuesday 9th was dry until later on in the day. We had a quiet ride into Lannion where we stopped for coffee and then bought food for a picnic lunch. We found a lovely suny spot for lunch but then later had to shelter to put on waterproofs when the rain appeared. We arrive very wet at Lanvollen having missed most of the scenery because of the rain! Had a lovely meal though.

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Weds 10th we woke to more rain! We were all very wet but at lunchtime in Quintin found a fantastic ‘workman’s cafe’ which did a set lunch for €10.50. Worth every euro. The rain stopped about half an hour before Lamballe which was our overnight stop. A lovely little hotel with great evening meal and people.

Thurs 11th we woke to blue skies!! We had a gorgeous ride taking in the Chateau del al Hundandaye where we stopped for a quick look. We went on to Jugon-les-Lacs where we had coffee & again bought a picnic lunch. We stopped by a lake and sat in the sun to eat our lunch just south of Corseul. After lunch we rode through little villages Pleurtuit and onto la Richardais where we stopped for a drink. We then carried on to St Malo and found out hotel. It was beautifully set and we had time for a walk on the ancient City walls and an ice cream! This is what it is all about.

We woke on Friday 12th to a warm day. Made our way after breakfast to the port and our journey home to the UK.

Even though it was so wet, we all agreed that we would do it again!

- Kate Chadwick