Lannion and Tonquedec Castle

  A trip into Lannion in the morning visiting the Templar Church at Belevenez with its flights of stairs and then a short drive to Tonquedec Castle in the afternoon.

Pleumeur Bodou, Brittany

I visited this area many years ago when my father was working for the GPO and was involved in the collaboration between Britain with their telecommunications site at Goonhilly Downs, France at Pleumeur Bodou and the USA. It culminated in the launching of Telestar and the first transatlantic TV broadcast.
We explored the large museum of telecommunications  and went to a light and sound show inside the Radome, which explained the engineering and history of the site (all in French). The Radome was designed by Plunnett Milton. After two prototypes, the final radome (the current one) was put up at the end of July 1962.The radome shell of Dacron of 1.7 mm is inflated under pressure of 4 millibars, more during storms. The jacket weighs 27 tons and receives six tons of paint to the Hypalon regularly (every 5 years) for maintenance. Inside is the antenna (satellite dish) and all the workings to rotate and elevate the dish. The control cabin is still there. 
The sky was just right for the day, starting with blue skies and fluffy clouds and ending with storm clouds, which produced rain just as we left. These are monochrome conversions using Lightroom on my very small travel computer so I am looking forward to tackling them with Silver Efex etc.

In the morning we also visited Chateau de Kerduel; the Chateau was preparing for a large antiques fair but we had a pleasant walk in the grounds.

Ploumanac'h, Brittany

The area where we are staying is known as the Pink Granite Coast, because of the colour of its rocks. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of Brittany’s coastline. The walk from Ploumanac'h to Perros Guirec is renowned for its unusual rock formations, all with names (I found a face and a poodle!), the Lighthouse, Chapel and views. We parked early at Ploumanac'h and started the walk. Unfortunately a very heavy rainstorm arrived and, despite sheltering in the rock formations, we got so wet we needed to return to the town for a coffee and a tryout. Eventually coffee was found and we then restarted the walk. The little coves and the fantastic rock formations make an enjoyable stroll. However, the area is so popular that we found it impossible to find anywhere not full or ridiculously expensive for lunch so had to cut short the visit. 

Manoir de Keringant by Moonlight

 We are staying in a gite (bottom pictures) in the grounds of Manoir de Keringant. I had read that there was a super full moon this month. Unfortunately it rose behind a large group of trees so I photographed the buildings in the morning as the moon set behind the gite. If it is clear tomorrow morning should be able to photograph the moon as it sets later.

St Brieuc, Brittany

 Travelling from Honfleur through to our destination near Perros Guirec in Brittany, we stopped in St Brieuc for lunch at a Creperie and a short stroll round the town. It was very much a Sunday afternoon in France with very few people around but time to appreciate the red theme to the buildings.

Honfleur

 We are en route for a week in Brittany and stopped the night at Honfleur. A muggy and overcast evening. Rather than the usual colourful reflections, I have had a go at depicting the busy town in monochrome.

Nature's Art

Common Darter on Blackberry - couldn't have chosen the colours and shapes better if I was doing a  painting of it.

Witnessing a Crime

 While driving back to Toft along the Hardwick Road, I saw two cars driving quite fast along the Drift (footpath) from the end of Mill Lane. One was parked and someone got out, set fire to the car and then was driven off fast in the second car. We watched the rest of the drama unfold as the firemen arrived and dowsed the fire. Not heard any further news of whether they caught the people - someone had managed to record the number of the second car. I especially liked the one with all the sparks.

Burwash Manor Farm

 A trip to Burwash Manor Farm for CCC to attempt to photograph the flying Dragons. Very few in focus shots but liked these Common Darters and Emperor Dragonfly. First image shows the abundant Chicory that grows around the farm.