I visit Alain the sailmaker and the Lazybag looks great. As I mount the Lazybag, I need to refit some lines but the end result makes the cost and labor really worth it. I hate when the boat is not in order and working properly. I also check the engines and refill some oil. After cleaning up the boat – it is now time for a road trip!
My plan is to check out Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel that was originally on the sailing plan but we did not have time to visit them. After that, I will go and get my family in Paris as they are coming down for a couple of weeks. I check which tram that runs to the airport and it does look easy enough. Being lazy, I think that if I see a taxi, I will take that otherwise I go by the tram. Taxis are pretty rare in Brest so I end up on the tram. All of a sudden the tram starts running the other way so it seems that IKEA was the end station and I needed to take the bus. There is a timetable but no bus so I use the ever so friendly IKEA staff to call me a taxi so I can come out to the airport before they close. I managed to reach the deserted airport and get my car – this time a Ford Mondeo.
The first stop is Saint-Malo that I read about before and should be beautiful with nice beaches and good seafood. I reserve a room at the beach and park the car. It turns out that all I read is true. I arrive at high tide and the combination of the sunset and the waves splashing over the breakwater is something extra. The city architect of Saint-Malo did not go in the same school as his colleague in Brest. Just as Brest, this city was totally demolished but they decided to rebuilt the city as it used to be. The result is amazing, it has all the charm of an old city with winding small streets and irregular planning but it all looks nice and fresh.
I get a table at Le Café d’Ouest and it is time to test the Seafood reputation. The oysters from Cancale next to Saint-Malo is be considered some of the best so I order a plate including two “Pied de Cheval” ten-year-old oysters. After having these large tasty oysters, I change my plan to go to Cancale and have a look and eat lunch there the next day. As I am curious of the town, I complete the day with a night walk through the beautiful streets and stop by the local microbrew who serve a nice local Blonde and the “La Belle Epoque” bar with sand on the floor and a lot of atmosphere. A very nice stop.