I travelled there by car as the passenger of John Lewis. We went by Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen on a night sailing. From there it was approximately a four hour drive to our destination. We didn't rush and took a good lunch break on the way. We found a conveniently located small town and stopped for a while.
Here we were introduced to the classic French arcitecture we think of.
I was staying with Yvonnic, who is a lovely kind chap and we got on very well. His English, like my French, was on an even standing, i.e. not very much at all. But with perseverance and patience we managed very well.
He was able to lend me a bicycle and so, in what little free time we had, he and I cycled right around the enormous bay that is Le Pouliguen and La Baule. We locked up our transport and he showed me the market stalls of La Baule.
He also runs. I had packed my running kit, also being a keen runner. Yvonnic organised a small group one morning, and we ran the Côte Sauvage. We met, and ran with, the Mayor along the way!
Left: John Lewis, -- Right: Me, -- Yvonnic in yellow top with some of our French friends in the middle. Pictured on La Côte Sauvage.
As Yvonnic is a triathlete it was quite natural for him, upon returning to La Mairie after our run, for him to plunge into the sea. After some moments' hesitation, it has to be said, I joined him in the water, although by then he was out past the buoy.
Our visit also took in visits to a vineyard where harvest was in full swing. Grapes were arriving by the trailerful. On the vineyard they embrace the full process from Grape to Glass.
The tour showed us the pressing, fermenting and storage to bottling and boxing!
There was never a dull moment. Another trip was to the ancient market town of Clisson. We were privileged to have a guided tour of the Medieval town.
There was a land train for those who preferred a more sedate method of sightseeing.
Food was, naturally, high on the agenda of the trip. It was amazing. There was one formal dinner and a lot of eating out in restaurants, Lunch time was often an informal gathering at one of the hosts' beautiful houses.
This was a dessert I devoured at a restaurant on the harbourside at Le Pouliguen 
Yvonnic also baked a cake for the occasion. This was consumed, washed down with the omnipresent local wine during an informal lunch.
Every daytrip was a hit with all our members. There is some a variety of beautiful and unique sights, like these water wheels for example:
The Association was lucky to have had great weather for the visit, right until our travelling day. It absolutely tipped down for a lot of the journey. Well, we needed to be brought back down to earth!
Clive