Breton Beach in Winter

We arrived on Tuesday morning for a week here in Brittany.  Our winter holiday is always quick as my little girl needs to be back at school, this next year on the 5th of January!  We therefore have to plan our ferry crossings around school dates.

We were fortunate to arrive on a beautiful day, the sun was shining and we managed to get out for a lovely walk on the beach.  Since then the weather has deteriorated and I am looking out at a wet, grey and very dull afternoon.

Thank goodness I took my camera with me on Tuesday and managed to take a few photos!

There is something magical about the beach in winter, particularly at a very low tide.  The rocks, which are normally hidden underwater are exposed to the elements, and the view stretches for miles, uninterrupted by swimmers or boats.  It is incredibly peaceful, even with a skipping five year old!

You can see from the photographs that Brittany has been battered by storms recently.  There are many clumps of seaweed, which have  been pulled up from the ocean floor.  The wonderful thing is that most of the seaweed will be used, some of the local farmers gather it and use it as a fertiliser on their crops and several local companies use it to enhance both food and beauty products, it is a great natural resource for  small scale, local  enterprises.

Exposed rocks on the beach

Low tide

The dog just loves exploring

The beach was virtually empty,
just a few hardy folk enjoying the good weather

The beach was a source for granite,
and many of the stones have been worked

You can see the detail of tool marks on this piece of granite

This pool is a favourite swimming spot in the summer

Perhaps a bit chilly for a dip today!

Wishing you all a very Happy and Successful New Year.

More posts when I'm back into my daily routine, at home in Richmond, in 2012!