Brittany 16

Months ago, plans were laid to take a house for a week near Dinan, to be there to celebrate the 70th birthday of Hugh, with whom I joined C&W in '65, over 50 years ago! He and Tammy were stopping there as part of their multi-country tour, started from Queensland in Dec '15 and continuing to UK in July '16!  Michael & Dan were able to join us and Hannah & Cormac also timed a stop as they started their relocation from UK to France to suss out new careers, somewhere as yet unknown.  The weather was forecast to be pretty ropey, but every day the rain and lightning got pushed back and didn't make a showing in the end.  Strikes, however, did threaten and fuel stations were dry and shut in many places, but we did manage to fill up the hire car before its return and were so lucky on all fronts.  We were located in Lanvallay, by the Port of Dinan, in a lovely house convenient to the Port's restaurants and bars.

Dinan Port

Port in the background 

House viewed from Dinan's ramparts

The celebrations spanned three days, a bit like the Burghley Horse Trials, with family and friends joining him from around the World.  Tammy deserves a medal for the organisation over many months, and it was all thoroughly enjoyable.

First, it was a casual get-together to meet and greet, which just happened to be in the Port, so was very convenient for us. Next was a more formal dinner in a fantastic restaurant in the centre of Dinan.  The theme was Blue, and the food, wine and company were all great.

Chez La Mere Pourcel in medieval Dinan

Birthday Boy!

Hugh Tammy Niall Shona Rachel Nick

The last celebratory event for Hugh was brunch and bubbles Chez McGarry, generously including Michael & Dan and Hannah & Cormac.  Their house was very arty!

Tammy John Jean Hannah

Elena John Hugh Glen Jan Brian Monica

John Peta

Nick Hugh Brian Me

Niall ? Jean Shona

Jean Tammy Rosie

Cormac Nick Rachel Michael Dan

Around the main events, we raided the local Patisserie, spent time in the restaurants of the Port, tramped up the cobbles to the lovely old & arty town of Dinan and took a trip to St Malo.

In between, lots of time was spent testing grape-based products of both colours, thespian tendencies spontaneously broke out making a couple of holiday videos, in the later hours of course, and a fine fun time was had by all!

The bread is just soooo good!

St Malo:

And, finally, another birthday was celebrated, Jean's!  Hugh & Tammy were able to join us for this, which made an excellent final night before our return home:

However, just as we thought it was all over, we found another bar!

After a very pleasant lunch with Hugh & Tammy next day, goodbyes all around, Hannah & Cormac headed south to recce pastures and opportunities new, while the rest of us returned home to pastures familiar.  What an excellent week it was!

Now, we look forward to Hugh & Tammy Chez Nous in a few weeks.