Europe 2011

Ploumanac'h: 7-8 June

		On the short trip from Le Conquet to Ploumanac'h, we detoured to see some of the Parish Closes of Brittany. This is the calvary at Lampaul-Giumiliau. †
		A waterspout gargoyle on the church. †
		The rood screen at at Lampaul-Giumiliau. †
		The altar retable. *
		Wall carving of the Deposition of Christ at Lampaul-Giumiliau. †
		A moving tableau of the Burial of Christ. †
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		The elaborately carved base of the calvary at Guimiliau. Preachers would get up onto it to point out the relevant episode from Christ's life. †
		Christ carrying his cross and looking remarkably unworried. †
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		The Flight into Egypt, with appropriate headwear. †
		The parish close at St Thégonnec, with the calvary just visible through the gate. *
		On the calvary, Christ being tormented. *
		St Joseph shown as a young man for once, as he would have been when Christ was a child. *
		The impressive organ at St Thégonnec. *
		Carved detail of a snail on the St Thégonnec baptistry column. *
		Another burial of Christ, in the crypt at St Thégonnec. *
		From Christianity in the 16-17th centuries, we moved to the prehistoric Grand Cairn of Barnenez, built in two stages between 4500 and 3900 BC. *
		Nick gives an idea of the scale of the cairn. *
		It blends in with the landscape in this lonely part of Brittany. †
		At Ploumanac'h, we again stayed in a waterfront hotel, facing a harbour with a large tidal range. It is the same boat, in the same position, in these three photos. *
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		There is lovely coastal scenery. †
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		There is a reason why the area is known as the Pink Granite Coast. *
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		House, lighthouse, and lifeboat ramp. *
		Pink granite château on its pink granite island. *
		We drove to visit Beauport Abbey. †
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		A huge fireplace at Beauport Abbey. *
		The harbour at Paimpol. *
		Oyster boat, Paimpol. †

Then we went eastwards into Normandy, to Honfleur.