This is just a postcard – not a letter.

Boulangerie

A short and delightful walk away is the boulangerie at La Fôret-Fouesnant. It’s a patisserie and chocolaterie as well, and has the most mouth watering and calorifically impressive displays imaginable.

One fine morning I arrived at 10am and asked for, ‘Trois croissants, s’il vous plaît.’ The young mademoiselle politely told me they were sold out and that in any case (glancing at her watch and giving me a look of disdain that only a French Mademoiselle can give) it wasn’t petit déjeuner any more, but déjeuner. Well, there’s telling you.

Suitably admonished I asked for a baguette and was rewarded with a beautiful smile.

Twixt the Marina and La Fôret-Fouesnant

The mile and a half walk from the marina to the village is through a cooling wood and along a narrow walkway by the lake, passing on one side the prestigious Cornouaille Golf Club and the eccentric Crêperie Quartier d’été and smart houses on the other. Making this a round trip to acquire one’s breakfast croissants (don’t be late) is a joy.

The lake dries at low tide and re-fills to capacity as the tide comes in.

Fouesnant’s church

The ancient, weathered church stands proud near the water’s edge. Its tall and reasonably ornate spire houses its bells. Sadly, they must be cracked for they no longer ring with vibrancy, but more of a sad and empty ‘dong’.

Archipel des Glénan

Port la Flôret runs a ferry service to and from the Îles de Glénan, an archipelago off the coast. Known as the Breton Tahiti and only accessible in summer, the islands, sand and turquoise seas are spectacular.

Ferries shuttle passengers back and forth, and one of the vedettes, the Aigrette III, would moor next to us, overnight.

Having waxed lyrical about the archipelago, we have yet to go there!

The Union Flag

Originally the 18th century Le Manoir Mesmeur, The Cornouaille Golf Club displays an array of flags of many nations. For at least the last two years, the Union Flag has been flown upside down.

Flying the flag this way has two meanings. Declaring a state of distress (maybe because the British players are always winning) or as a deliberate insult (maybe because the British players are always winning).

By the way, there’s only one time when the Union Flag can be called the Union Jack. Any idea when?

Piers and Lin
from the Writing Bureau of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

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