Wandering in Old Rennes
The Mediaeval City of Rennes is fabulous despite the disastrous fire of 1720. I wandered with my camera and here I just want to share some of the sights.
A City Break in Rennes
Rennes seems an unlikely ‘City Break’ but the one and a half days we spent here were absolutely delightful and I can thoroughly recommend the town, the administrative capital of Brittany, as a stopover to anyone travelling in France. We … Continued
Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne
As in 2015 the first day in France included a visit to the Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne. I am going to write about the visit on my gardening site so here is just a taste of this lovely place.
Setting off for Brittany
It is time for my annual ‘French Fix’ and so we set off good and early for the overnight Brittany Ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo. Well, something was clearly wrong as we sat and waited, and waited, and eventually sailed an … Continued
The Gothic Churches in Santarem
It was our last day in Portugal and we lingered for a few hours in Santarém before reluctantly boarding the plane at Lisbon Airport. We managed to see some of the wonderful churches in this ‘must return’ town.
Santarem on the Tagus River in Portugal
It was the last day in Portugal and we drove cross-country from Flor da Rosa to Lisbon Airport, reluctant to leave the sunshine and flowers and, let’s face it, reluctant to return to ‘real life’ and responsibilities!
Prehistoric Anta Sao Gens in Portugal
Between Amieira and Flor da Rosa is the Anta de São Gens – an extraordinary sight. For further information The Megalithic Portal – fantastic resource for anything prehistoric
Amieira Castle in the Alentejo
Our days in the Alentejo always included a castle and so after walking we visited Amieira do Tejo, a Mediaeval village high above the Tagus River in beautiful countryside. Amieira and its castle were built as part of defences along the Tagus River … Continued
Crato – Historic Town in Portugal’s Alentejo
We visited Crato, down the road from the magical Pousada of Flor da Rosa, to see the castle of Crato and try and trace some of the town walls.
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa is beautiful – rolling hills, abundant water, Roman bridges, prehistoric tombs, and endless flowers. I often went out for an hour in the evenings, with the camera.