St Malo

Wednesday 24 December

Our last Christmas markets – Rose will be upset! We wander around the town, including a 2km walk around the ramparts surrounding the town. The beaches are full of craggy rocks with major warning signs in all languages advising of the dangers of the tide changes. St Malo (and this coastline) apparently experiences the world’s largest tide swings. As we watch we can see a passage way between two rocky outcrops increase. By evening the entire area is totally underwater. Bronwen & Simon marvel at the seagulls – they sound just like the ones in the movies, very different to Australian seagulls. They are also a LOT larger – thought is given to the possible previous mating of the seagulls with albatross – it seems logical & potentially likely.

Preparations take place for Christmas. We discover a sweet cafe (appropriately called Cafe Simon!) & book for Christmas lunch; the obligatory smoked salmon purchased for breakfast, supplies for snacks & some wrapping paper complete our preparations. St Malo is a delightful place to wander – lots of winding streets with unexpected squares, nooks & crannies. Our plans to attend midnight mass at the cathedral take a more realistic turn & we venture out for the 8pm family service. Although (aside from Steve, who was probably embellishing the truth!), we understand approximately 1% of the service – none at all of the sermon. The bells of the cathedral sound fabulous from inside, although they are nearly drowned out by crying children & over-tired toddlers racing around squealing. Feeling suitably enlightened we head home for a late (and very overcooked) meal. Rose extremely excited!