Pams Beautiful Life: St Malo and a Special Night in a Gypsy Caravan

Arriving in a town before it has woken up is a special experience, as you have a chance to take things in whlie no one is watching.

Although we were told we were arriving in St Malo at 8:15, in French time it was 7:15.

I walked up the sleepy street into the town, my suitcase bumping noisliy across the cobblestones. I passed the occasional stroller walking their dog and had a wonderful time gazing into the shop window. Everywhere was closed up but there were some pretty special shops, especially if you love musical instruments and flowers as I do. :-)

Anyone who know me, realizes I am a folkie at heart. These instruments all look so warm in this beautiful window display. It was a blessing really that the shop was closed as I would have loved to get my hands on a few ot these gorgeous instruments.

And the first real shop I look into in Brittany has a bombarde on display. We love the House Band and they use the bombarde in their music. My daughter Beth has always been curious about what it would be like to play one. I left town without purchasing one for her and it has been one decision I regretted.

Up the street things were beginning to open and I couldn't resist photographing these stunning tulips.

As I approached the village square I saw my first avenue of pollarded plane trees.

I came upon this building called a Mairie.

Each community, whatever its size,has it's own Mairie office. It is where the mayor works and sometimes lives.

I loved the seagull resting on the scuptures head.

I had drawn a map of where my hotel was and thought I might be able to walk there.I just kept going, admiring the wonderful buildings and narrow streets. It was surreal to realize I was actually in France.

I saw weveral boulangeries and so many people going into them and coming out with a baguette for their breakfast. It made me smile to see that this is really something that happens in France.

Here are some delights in the window of a boulangerie.

I had been reading about these traditional treats and had to take a picture of them.

Further up the street there was another music store.

There were so many really ancient buildings and I walked for what seemed like miles trying to find my hotel lol.

Eventually I discoved that the bus stops have maps on them that tell you where you are. I used one to find my way to the Gare or railway station. This was good as I wanted to purchase my ticket to Dol Bretagne for the next day.

After getting my ticket I walked around a bit more and then got a taxi up to my hotel.

The manoir was a beautiful building.

I arrived before check in time so was allowed to wait in the beautiful slaon, which doubled as our dining room for breakfast.

The carving on the stircase caught my eye. Amazing craftsmanship.

When Benoit, the owner, showed me to the caravan which was parked out in the back of the hotel, I was surprised to see the formal gardens that took me back to movies I had seen. Down the path was a gate leading to a large rectangular man-made lake with ducks swimming.

My caravan was a delight. So colourful. Whe we went insidi ti was perfect. The bed set into the back was a vision. And all the furniture I needed was there.

The top of the chest of drawers you see below lifts up on hinges. It used to be an old fashioned commode. Now it has been transformed into a composting toilet lol. Anyone who knows me and my cob house project on Mayne Island, knows I am a fan of the composting toilet concetp. My son Luke just helped me install one into my shed while I am building the house :-)

So here I am in St Malo and I have a mini, portable one in my caravan. A lovely basket of sweet smelling shavings to use with it. All mod cons. lol

I also had use of my own washroom in the main building, and a shower and also a sauna, which I used of course. I love saunas.

I took a selfie outside the caravan.