Twenty five adults had a most enjoyable and relaxing holiday in France from July 5th to July 12th. The first four nights were spent in family homes in our Twin Town Carhaix-Plouguer. While the weather was mixed it did not spoil our day trips to Huelgoat, Crozen and Pleyben or our participation in the events and activities in Carhaix itself. Some of the more athletic group members went to the “Accrobranches” Park, an adventure playground, where they swung Tarzan-like from tree to tree and negotiated a variety of obstacles to complete the course. The more sensible and sedate in the group satisfied their conservative adventurous spirits with a visit to the old Roman Aqueduct, the old but newly refurbished lock gates and some shopping.
On Tuesday, July 8th, the entire group was present as Carhaix Mayor Christian Troadec officially opened Rue d’Irlande in the fine housing development on the outskirts of the town. Two houses are inhabited in Rue de Carrickmacross and that street will be officially opened next year. We had a fantastic soirée of food, wine, cider, beer, song and dancing that evening to conclude our stay in Carhaix.
Next morning we travelled by coach to Rennes where we spent the next three nights in the beautiful centrally located Hôtel des Lices. We were right in the heart of the market square with fabulous restaurants and bars on all sides. The weather was perfect, apart from rain on Thursday morning. We enjoyed day trips to the famous castle in Fougères and the medieval village of Vitré. On Friday some of the group went to Saint Malo and Mont Saint Michel while others took it easy and soaked up the sun in the parks, and the sights and ambiance in Rennes. One couple skipped all that hired a car and headed off to Bayeux to see the famous tapestry and visit the Normandy Landing Beaches and the War Memorials.
The Saturday morning fruit, vegetable and general food market in the Places des Lices, the biggest open air market in Europe, right under the front windows of our hotel was an amazing sight to behold. Everybody was delighted with the trip and we look forward to welcoming an adult group from Carhaix to Carrickmacross in 2009.
