Huelgoat

Huelgoat is within the Parc d’Armorique in central Finistère, Brittany.  I was very excited about visiting this moss covered oasis - so were the kids but not for the same reasons!!  Upon pulling into this lovely sleepy village it occurred to us that the fair had come to town! Dodgem cars and all.  We didn't fight it, fairy floss all round!!

Roscoff & Ile de Batz

On Sunday we drove to Roscoff, about an hour or so from Morlaix.  Roscoff is famous for onions & Onion Johnnies, Frenchmen who would peddle their onions door to door around Britain in berets, stripped breton t shirts and red scarfs.  We caught a boat from the port of Roscoff to Ile de Batz, Charli and Ed were drenched on the way over.  On the drive home we came across a London Bus from our local bus route!

Mac & Charli, Ile de Batz shoreline

the pretty town of Dinan

After a night in Dinard, a stunning seaside town about 20 mins from St Malo we set off early for the medieval town of Dinan.  We arrived nice and early and got to see the town come to life.  

Le Mont Saint Michel

We are on our first adventure to the continent.  We sailed on Tuesday night from Portsmouth to St Malo on board the Bretagne with Brittany Ferries.  It was a 12 hour trip (though in reality it could be sailed in less than half that time).  We were well and truely in steerage, disconcertingly below the water line. The kids all felt very seasick and I got about 3 hours sleep so we were happy to put our feet on French soil. 

The first stop was Mont Saint Michel - the kids felt they were in a medieval movie set. We did a tour of the abbey with a very cranky French woman who clapped every time someone raised their voice.  She was scary!

Waddesdon Manor

I am doing a catch up of blog posts this morning.  This is our day at Waddesdon Manor, Sunday of last weekend.  A stunning Loire Valley style chateaux built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1883.  It was a house made for serious parties, Great Gatsby style.  Stunning gardens.  I think we need to go back for a second visit ... after looking at the website again now I can see that we missed a fair bit.  We have learnt that it pays to go easy on the historical aspects of outings like this - the kids can only tolerate so many hours of audio guide, Gainsborough's and French Tapestries ... and did I mention the National Trust volunteers guarding every square inch of these properties.  Boy are they stern (read cranky) and sticklers for the rules. Heaven help you if exit for the loo without a return pass! Hysterical, really.

rain rain go away

On Saturday afternoon we headed off to the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre to see the Sound of Music.  The forecast was for rain but we were looking on the bright side - the forecast isn't always accurate right?  Well this time it was spot on. Thank the Lord for disposable ponchos!! We get to use our tickets for another show in the next 2 years!

a tour of the palace

Today we toured through the state rooms at Buckingham Palace, viewing an exhibition to celebrate 60 years since coronation.  We saw the Queens Coronation gown and those of her ladies in waiting.  We also saw the outfits worn by Prince Charles (age 4) and Princess Anne (age 2) - very cute indeed. The pics above are of us in Lizzies backyard!!  Charlotte adopted a royal corgie and we had lunch in the garden cafe which Bella thought looked very Mag Square !!!