On the ferry this morning to Hoedic after a late start, nothing much happens until ten around Houat, even breakfast doesn’t get going until eight thirty which means that I’ll have to do without tomorrow in order to get the seven fifty five back to Quiberon. Another beautiful island. The lack of traffic is very apparent on both. There is just that appealing lack of background noise.
Appealing little plant in this garden.Hundreds of these butterflies on the paths – although this one is on a plastic tank. The harbour is bereft of ferry.Here she comes twenty mins late – tout va bien, as the French would say.Heading away from the harbour in Hoedic, weather says rain.Sun shining on Houat but it is raining on me.Dolmens and Menhirs abound on this island. Makes me think. Were they all just happy-clappy in the cult that some charismatic preacher brought like a pestilence. Or were there stand-outs, F your new religion mate I’m for worshipping the sun just like my ancestors.Giant eagle head rock.Heading down south down the east side straight into the rain. Ancien fort Anglais behind. Don’t know if it was for the type or the people.In places you get owners who just refuse to let people walk across even the tiniest piece of their land. At one time those eight foot high concrete posts running off into the distance inland held a massive fence. What a waste of money.Baby menhir at the coast.Mummy menhir inland. I took a bearing and they line up at about 120 degrees, or roughly south-east so, they align on the sunrise on the winter solstice. What people don’t realise is that the the sunrise on the summer solstice is actual north of east. Ask me about it sometime.Of course the benighted Christians try to take over the site as usual.We’ve just seen what our ancestors did thousands or years ago with only the strength of their arms. This is what a modern committee can raise with all their resources. It is already falling over.I shall take a right at this harbour for lunch. Everything closes at two so won’t be much action while I wait for the boat.Réduit de Hoédic fortress – Napoleonic.Interesting choice of Goddesses to worship.Mother and baby couldn’t give an F ‘cos it’s raining horses.Poor Pru she won’t be watched.I was stomping down this bit of boardwalk and what I thought were big flies were swarming away from me as I approached. Then I looked closely – tiny baby froggos.I see a killer whale.Old ruined house on this spit of land. What would it have been like on a stormy winter’s night.Big fish head rock.Deado Dolphin.Looking back at that ruined house. Still raining and I’m just a bit wet.No idea what these underground things are, not on the map. The concrete looks like WW2 German but there are modern bits.Reminds me of that film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Not at all suitable for kids in my view. Especially that Snatcher dude.Either it’s Doc from Snow White or its Dumbo sleeping off a very large helping of irritant mice.That old sea is breaking through so this bit will an island soon.This line of raised stones is meant to be a Mesolithic grave yard.The harbour is in sight. Always nice to be on the home straight.Back at the harbour and the waiting ferry which then left with no passengers on, only to come back two hours later to pick us up?Might as well have a wander around. This poor menhir obvs. needs support.They’ve even purloined the well.Jean-Jacques and Marcel got it this far then went for a tabac and a vin. And then proceeded to walk past it everyday saying, ‘We must finish getting the boat home someday.’Were the anchors put there when they were hale and hearty?Mexican hat well.Ferry’s finally coming. Looking towards Quiberon.
Very much enjoyed Hoedic, even though it pissed on me right up until I made it back to the harbour. At least I dried out waiting for the boat. I dwell on what it would be like to live here. But I certainly couldn’t easily run off to the airport and F off for a week. Nor get my Amazon next day deliveries. As for fast food – forget it. Though that one is a plus.
