GK Tours. Day 81, 82 & 83
Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th January 2025.
Quimper, Plestin Les Greves & Saint Jean du Doigt, France
Today we decided to visit Quimper. There is a municipal campsite right on the edge of town, about a 15min walk.
The campsite is old but everything functions. When we arrived, it was lunchtime and the office was shut. Seeing a notice on the door for a booking of space no.11, we entered the site and found space no.23 free.
After manoeuvring a few times to try and get level, we opted for the chocks, we still weren’t exactly level but we could live with it for one night.
We had a ham & cheese roll for lunch and then decided to take a walk into town. The threat of rain had cleared and the sun was trying to break through.
Popping up to the office, which still wasn’t opened we noticed another sign saying that spot no.23 was booked for someone else 
, buggerations!
Not wanting to upset anyone, we went back to the van, put everything away, got her off the chocks and moved her down to the lower level into space no.30.
By this time the we had set the van back up, the office was open, so I popped up to book in. I had a broken English conversation with the receptionist and said that we were on 23 but had moved because it was booked, and she said no, that was for yesterday 
. Can you hear that circus music? 
!!
Anyway, let’s get on with it 
.
The walk into town took us down to the River Odete and along to the old centre. Well, what a delightful surprise it is!
The river was running really fast and just before we crossed into the town we read a plaque describing the valiant individuals from the resistance and their good work to free France from the Germans in WW2. It was very humbling.
Quimper has many medieval buildings and lanes, with a variety of individual shops, mostly selling Breton goodies. The properties look mostly occupied and every corner turned reveals more medieval delight.
The Cathedral reminded us of the unfinished one in St Jean d’Angely, the arches at the end were very similar.
Sitting in Cathedral square we had a coffee and a wine. It was a lovely setting but with the absence of patio heaters we soon got chilly.
We meandered around the lanes, taking detours to see the unusual buildings before coming back to the shopping area and spying a biscuitterie
We couldn’t resist popping in and purchasing a really pretty tin of the finest Breton biscuits in a gorgeous tin 
, along with a fridge magnet with a recipe on for Far Breton, a delicious pudding with prunes 
. I will definitely be trying that when we get home .
Passing a patisserie we noticed they sold the famous cake called Kouing-Amann, made with butter and sugar from what we could see . The sales assistant asked if I was taking it away and when I said yes, she advised me to heat it a little before eating to enjoy it at its best. Right oh 
.
We had been really lucky today, after setting out in torrential rain we had had an unexpectedly dry visit to Quimper.
Returning to the campsite we had campervan-ara (Carbonara) and I made some sausage rolls in our new, larger airfryer.
Thursday 23rd January
Thursday morning I tried the campsite showers, not very well heated but the water eventually came through lovely and hot . Been a while since we have used a shower other than our own in the van.
Municipal campsites are such good value, all services including electric, showers etc for €17!
Once packed up we headed out of Quimper towards the coast. We needed to find a vet for Meg so that she could have her worming tablet to be allowed back into the UK.
It’s a case of finding a village or town enroute, checking reviews – it’s really handy if they speak a little English – and then normally they like you to make an appointment as the vet actually has to see Meg taking the tablet.
There was a recommendation for one in Lanmeur, which wasn’t too far away. Arriving just as they opened from lunch we were able to make an appointment for Friday, yay, not too much faffing around, just as we like it.
As we needed to be in the area we found a really nice aire right on the beach in Locquirec. When we arrived we were disappointed to see that the parking spots were on grass, not a good choice as it had been raining and was due to do so again .
What a pity, such a lovely spot. So, next choice was a newish Aire called The Toulinet Motorhome Area in Plestin Les Greves.
It was really smart, had showers and all facilities again. This time it was only €13 
. Blimey, bargain.
When I looked up our location on the map, we were practically opposite Plymouth, and only noggins like us would move close to the English west coast when a huge storm was moving in! Too late now, we weren’t moving again .
As it was, it started to rain and never really stopped all night. I made a roast chicken dinner which we thoroughly enjoyed and we snuggled down. It was very, very windy overnight, though nothing like we’re sure you are experiencing at home. But we were dry and warm amongst the puddles forming outside. One thing the site doesn’t have is lighting, so once it got dark outside it was totally pitch dark.
Friday 24th January
Friday morning saw us up and out early to make sure we weren’t late for the vet. She gave Meg the all-clear and her worming tablet so we are good to take her home.
While we were waiting to see the vet, an English lady, who Gareth had been chatting to outside, told us of a lovely cafe just up the road if we were looking for somewhere nice – she was originally from Torquay.and had spotted our Devon sticker on the back of the van.
It was still raining lightly as we left the vets so thought, yes we’d try a Plat du Joure at the recommended cafe called: Primel Café
We were a little early so were the first customers of the day. They only open from 12 – 1.30pm! And then again in the evening.
It was a gorgeous setting. Had the weather been better we would have sat on the terrace overlooking the bay. As it was we were inside, enjoying the warmth and the very trendy decor.
Lunch was delicious. We both had seafood for both starter and main and then shared a café gourmand. Yum yum.
Not wanting to go too far after lunch we tried a few different car parks before settling on a little Aire in Saint Jean du Doigt in the middle of nowhere, Britanny!
We are the only van here. It’s free unless you want electricity – but you have to get a token for it from the village. As we don’t particularly need it we didn’t bother.
In the summer this little Aire would be very pretty. It only has 6 spaces in a close design with a little stream running down the side. It’s also just 11 or so minutes to the beach, as Meg and I found out while putting some steps in . I had taken her ball and flinger as I wanted to make up for her not having a proper walk yesterday.
She loved the beach, there was just enough sand for her to sprint up and down on, and of course the obligatory burying of her ball.
What was different today was that, when we were ready to leave, she picked up her ball in her mouth and carried it all the way home . She has never carried anything for more than 30 secs before – obviously that’s what her humans are for, but this time she did and I was amazed.
I actually think her thought process went along the lines of….if my human picks the ball up I won’t see it again and I want to play with it when I get back to the van – cos that’s what she did . What a cutie .
Parker has had a kip, I’ve nearly finished my book – A Year in Provence – and we are snacking bits and pieces for our dinner .
Once again, happy Friday everyone and. We hope the storm doesn’t cause too much stress or damage to you all xx
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