Breton Cheval

Driving home with a car packed full of groceries, I noticed a sign to Breton Cheval.  Now I love horses, as does my six year old, so it took us only moments to persuade my husband to follow the signs.  We found a field with a huge gathering of farmers and their horses, these wonderful animals are still used for ploughing and other farm work here in Brittany and we had obviously come across a get together where the horses would be judged.

Being British, we had arrived at lunchtime, so there was not  much activity, just a few people grooming their horses, while most ate picnics.

We will try and visit for the judging during the afternoon next year.  But of course, I wanted to share some photographs of this delightful sight with you.

Foals happily munching on the newly cut hay

So sweet

And a quick whinney, hello!

The foals did not want to be parted from their mothers

The manes and tails of the adult horses were being plaited

This foal seems to want to get out of the trailer

More horses arriving, and the farmers use their tractors to
pull the trailers

This foal was not tethered

Not a problem as their was no intention to leave
Maman

So beautiful and placid, for such large, strong creatures

Most are a deep chestnut colour, this white horse was unusual

I just loved this foal

A morning walk with the dog

Since arriving  in Brittany we have been blessed with beautiful weather.  One of my favourite times of the day is my morning walk with the dog.  The sun is shining,  the beach and sand dunes are empty.  The air is fresh and everything is spectacular.

We walk pass the play park, such a bonus with a six
year old in tow

Through the pine trees
where my daughter and I often collect pinecones

Up onto the sand dunes

Past the sailing club, which has lessons for
children, and she is joining with two friends next year

The tide is in, so the island is cut off

One of my favourite views in the world

And the sun is shining so brightly on the sea
as I turn around

On our way home we pass pretty Breton holiday cottages
accented with blue shutters

Blue post boxes

And blue gates

And home to my lovely lavender and hydrangea filled garden

Relaxing in Brittany

There is something so comfortable about coming here for all our holidays.  Actually I hardly dare use the word 'holiday' as we are here for the whole of my daughter's school holidays which this summer amount to six and a bit weeks.

We arrived on Saturday very late, and the first thing I did was make some bread.  I'm not mad keen on bread machine bread, but arriving at 9.30 in the evening it's the one time I find it a life saver.  (I bought a very basic 'eco' model a few years ago, and we now have fresh bread for breakfast on our first morning here, winter, spring and summer.)

On Sunday my husband was busy getting his boat ready for launching the next day, so I pottered around, and managed a quick shop for basics at the local supermarket.  I also had a look around the garden, as the weather has been very similar to England I was not surprised to find that the plants were doing well, indeed the herbs are slightly overgrown!

The Hortensia are stunning this year

The very basic bread machine

Water, flour, salt and yeast

The bread in the machine

The loaf is a little sad looking, but makes good toast
for our first morning here

This Rosemary was one tiny two inch high plant a few
years ago

The Chives

And Thyme

Lots of Mint

More lovely hydrangas

I love getting things ready in the garden
I bought this old lobster pot from the
Co-operative Maritime, during our first holiday here

The Olympic Rings in Richmond Park

I don't know if you've seen a photograph of the  Olympic Rings in Richmond Park, but they have been mown into the grass  and should be visible to aeroplane passengers who are about to land at Heathrow.

I saw a photograph the other day and thought they looked superb.  My daughter had finished school for the summer holiday at lunchtime today, and the picnic we had gone to came to a hasty halt after a torrential rain shower.  I had two of her friends for a play date and so thought that rather then heading straight home we would drive to the park to see the rings.

Fortunately the sun began to shine again, and when we found the rings I was delighted to see that two of the  Shire Horses were out trimming the grass.

I parked the car, checked the sky and we walked up to the rings.  We paused  to look at the horses and the gentlemen who are working with them very kindly stopped and allowed the girls a chance to pet the horses.

It was lovely to see these little people patting those huge, gentle, majestic creatures, and I was so impressed with their tolerance and placidness.  They are amazingly beautiful and strong beasts, and I for one now have two new loves in my life, these horses are wonderful.

Once again please accept my apologies for less then perfect photographs, I did have three 6 year olds, and had to keep an eye on them, I didn't want them getting under the feet of these handsome chaps!  And the light was tricky, so the fact that I managed to get any photographs taken at all  is amazing.

Aren't they handsome?
Their blinkers have a Royal Parks emblem
so these really are  Royal Shire Horses

Despite their huge size, they were the gentlest of creatures
when I compare them to the  ponies that my
daughter rides

Just to give an idea of their vast size

Watching them working in the distance

Calmly mowing the grass

The rings are wide, the girls had a lovely time
running around them

You can  see them stretching out into the distance

The curves are perfect and edges so neat

A perfect afternoon

All four of us were delighted to have met these fantastic
horses

Here's a link to an article in the local paper, which will give you more background to the rings, as well as an ariel photograph,  and if you're coming from abroad for the sports do remember to get a window seat!

Some summer days are sunny

In between  the rainy days,  we have had one or two days with glimpses of sunshine.  I managed to gather some more Elderflowers on my last sunny walk and make a further batch of Elderflower Cordial.

It's such a wonderful drink, perfect as a squash with water, or as a Presse with sparkling water.  And it's a great mixer for a summer cocktail or refreshing spritzer with white wine.  There are still a few Elderflowers about, so if you get the chance gather about 30 flower heads, and mix with lemons and a sugar based syrup.  You will not regret it.

Elderflowers and lemons

Beautiful wild roses

Lovely scents

Some of the elderflowers are fading

Getting foraging now!

Preparing Cordial

You will need the zest of the lemons

And the juice

Leave to steep for over 24 hours.