Saint Malo Ferry Port

with a big chunk cut off!!!

Today's walk was supposed to be 32.7km, which I didn't want to do. I'm not out to beast myself, I just want to enjoy some gentle walking along the coast of Brittany. It's not terribly gentle at times - if you could hear me huffing and puffing...😂 but I'd already worked out a shortcut or two and so managed to keep my walk to just under 20km.
I'd slept really well, but I'd lost an hour the night before, so I was due a good sleep. I found myself in bed by 2030, after my unusual supper of bear's garlic pesto and bread, followed by a gaufre. But it was a very welcome early night despite the night still being young (I found the switches for the window blinds in the morning 🙄😂). Breakfast was a sachet of porridge I'd packed, just in case, and I have 2 more 'just in cases' left!
The lack of shops along the way, even in the larger villages, is frustrating (it's definitely not a camino route!) so I have to make sure I'm well stocked. I am, of course, but it's extra weight I wouldn't have to carry if I knew I'd be passing through places with the odd tabac or boulangerie!
Anyway - I'd found a route for today's walk to lead me to the GR34 without having to backtrack, and followed that through some beautiful little communes until I came to a directional choice. Main road or back route. A lady pointed me in the direction of the back route, which was totally counterintuitive to me and my sense of direction. Need I say more? She was right, I was wrong😂.
I soon found myself back on the GR34 and heading for the big bit I definitely didn't want to do! I did my biggest detour at Trégon and walked along the D786 to Notre Dame du Guildo, cutting off 12km of uppy downy stuff, but only adding about 4km of level walking. It was roadside walking, but the traffic wasn't that bad.
I stopped in NDdG for a rest but, as ever, the shops were few and far between. I did manage to find a boulangerie and a tabac, though, and enjoyed a Breton-style almond croissant with an Orangina. The croissant wasn't our style - it was heavy, stodgy and just what I needed😂.
From there it was a short walk to reconnect with the GR34 and then began the afternoon's uppy downy bit! There were a few headlands to cross, and the views were spectacular. This is a prime oyster/mussel area and you could see the beds in the sea. There were a few very old beds closer to the shore, and I wondered if the shoreline had changed such that they'd had to move them further out to sea? The walk was tiring but just wonderful. I saw no-one and just had the bird song and waves to keep me company.
St Cast le Guildo soon came in sight but was still 6/7km away around yet another headland. There was a kilometre or so on the sand, which was horrid, and even Sid was frightened by the size of the monster's footprints!
But at least this is a real town! My apartment (when I eventually found it🙄😂) is lovely and has an amazing view. I just wanted a shower and to shop for this evening's goodies. The owner doesn't usually hire the apartment out just for one night and visitors obviously have to bring their own bedding and towels. I have his! 😂 I also had to shower with washing up liquid 😬😂😂. But I'm clean and I've been able to shop at a Carrefour and enjoy an ice cream. I had problems getting back into the apartment (when I found it - a very nice gardener helped me!) so I'm not venturing out again🤪.
I'm stocked up for the night, though, and am hoping for another good night's sleep.
Apparently, the sunrise is spectacular from the balcony. I'll let you know...Read more