Friday, August 15, 2014

Perros-Guirec at Low and High Tides

 Perros Guirec has the fifth largest tidal fall in the world so the harbour looks very different at low and high tides. Here a couple of images taken one afternoon at low tide and then several in the evening at high tide.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

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.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

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.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

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. 

Monday, August 11, 2014

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.