I have decided to split this blog into two parts. The first part will be an overview of my four week stay in Brittany. The second part, will focus on what our leaving the EU means to me and my many European friends.
When I began writing this blog nearly fourteen years ago, I made a commitment not to talk about politics. However, back then none of us had any idea of the madness we would find ourself in today!
After my recent trip, and then the commemoration of D Day and everything it stands for, I am moved to write on a more in depth personal level.
First the overview.
Separated by the English Channel, this map shows our close proximity to northern France. 
I took the EuroStar train (one of my favourite forms of travel) from London to Paris which takes two hours and twenty minutes. From Paris Nord the metro to Paris Montparnasse where I caught the TGV to Lorient. My dear friend Elisabeth was waiting to take me to the cottage at Lamor-Plage . Everything on time, and very comfortable and if you book way ahead of time, inexpensive.
Elisabeth – in the cottage garden
I first met Elisabeth when I was living in Crickhowell (AKA The Magical Town of Crickadoon) Wales almost thirty years ago and subsequently really got to know her when I had an exhibition in Brittany in 1995. She is an amazing woman involved in many different areas always helping other people. She is a good friend.
The poster from that exhibition
I can’t feature Elisabeth without showing her dog dear little Nouchka. Nouchka is very special…..I love her:)
The lovely cottage I stayed in came about because of Elisabeth. When I was with her in March 2018, we had lunch with her friend Nicole, who just happened to mention that her son had a cottage for rent……the rest is history.
And to add icing to the cake – I arrived at the cottage to find all sorts of goodies, courtesy Elisabeth and Nicole…..a lovely welcome 
During my first week, French actress Patricia Pekmezian joined me and was kind enough to sit for several portrait studies. We had a really lovely time together and talked at great length about the arts and life in general……
watercolour
watercolour/gouache
Patricia in the cottage garden
Towards the end of the month Alice Johnson arrived from the States….Another good friend and artist. We go back many years. We enjoyed painting together and everything else on offer….
Happy times were experienced at the Lamor-Plage beach. Here is Alice waiting to enjoy another delicious French lunch.
Meanwhile, it was so lovely to spend time by the beach and to experience the wonderful fresh air. Patricia and I spent a day on L’ile de Groix – an island I would love to spend more time on. There are miles and miles of amazing coastal walks to be enjoyed and of course so perfect for sketching and painting.
Patricia waiting for the ferry to take us to L’ile de Groix.
The beach at Lamor- Plage
And then there were the wonderful musical concerts. Brittany much like Wales is known for its love of music and we were not disappointed on this trip. One of the concerts featured a Welsh and Breton choir….bringing home our deep connections and similarities.
Elisabeth’s partner Herve…is involved with Les Gabiers d Artimon. As a choir they perform all over France plus more recently in Quebec, China and Russia. Talk about wonderful ambassadors. 
During Alice’s visit we were fortunate enough to attend a big concert in the Lorient Theatre with its one thousand seats….all filled. The concert was uplifting and moving, and again cemented the positive ties that we in the UK have with so many of our European brothers and sisters.
Les Gabiers D’artimon performing at the Lorient Theatre. 
Then of course there was the food…..Oh La La…….Eaten with Breton salted butter this bread is divine……...
And the glorious patisseries that can be found in every village, town and city in France….
There is so much interesting history surrounding the area…especially involving WW2…which I will write about in my second half.
I could go on and on, but key to all of this was the amazing hospitality of the Breton people. Beautiful people living in one of my favourite regions of France.
I will be away for the next week or so to enjoy a very special wedding. I plan to write the second part of this blog after I return around the 21st June.
Don’t forget the magical hummingbirds….watercolour.
A bientot
Janet.
I will catch up with blogs and messages after I return from the wedding. Suit case will be packed away…and I am here for the summer.
What a nourishing sojourn – for body, mind and spirit and all the creative forces. Looking forward to Part 2.
Thank you Tish….yes it was wonderful. The wedding I mentioned towards the end is in Atlanta Ga…and so will be flying tomorrow, back here one week later…and then I will pack my suit case away for a while!:) Hoping that your garden is doing wonderful things. Janet 🙂
Much like the hummingbirds you love, you’ve found your special places to find nourishment, and then you’re buzzing off to another place! Enjoy Janet.
HI Dear Brad….sometimes you can’t plan things. I had no idea about the wedding when I organised the Brittany trip and so a little close, but OK. I have had almost two weeks of R & R and am ready for fun in Atlanta. It’s the wedding of someone very special to mre…sort of like my American family. I will be reading and responding to other blogs after I return, and very glad to pack the suitcase away for a while. janet 🙂
All the travel will help you appreciate home. 🙂
You are so right….:)
Dear Janet. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with the rest of us. As you know Sally and I love France and especially Brittany. Looking forward to your second installment 🙂
HI Dear Gareth….I thought of you and Sally a great deal and if your ears were burning it’s because we were talking about you….all good:) You would both have loved the choirs. Janet. x
Merci chère Janet. Mais tu reçois ce que tu donnes… Et tu as oublié les ice creams !!!!
Cher Elsabeth, Comment pourrais-je oublier ma nourriture préférée??? Quelque part j’ai une photo de moi mangeant une creme glacée sur la plage:)
Love to you and Nouchka..xxx
What lovely portraits of both people and places. (as always) (K)
Thank you very much – Janet 🙂 x
How wonderful. I think I put on weight just looking at that marvelous food!
I know exactly what you mean:)
Thanks for posting your fabulous trip and experiences.
Thank you so much Sharon….I have just returned from a whirlwind wedding trip to Atlanta Ga and am now very ready to pack away the suit case and relax in the UK for the summer. Soon I will be back commenting on blogs etc. Hope you are well and making beautiful artwork. Janet x
It is nice to travel but always good to get back home. Have fun art making.
Thank you Janet for another tour and visit with your lovely friends You have so many nice friends from here and there in the world who have stayed in touch with you and you with them. That’s another creative talent in your sheath of many others: the creation of attachments that endure all life long. I’ve missed you: so good to read you again.
I’ve been especially happy of late, today because it’s Diana’s birthday, We have a day of celebratng ahead of us on a weather-wise beautiful day.
Good afternoon David from the UK. Having just returned from a wedding in Atlanta Georgia, I am as we Brits say…..shattered:) The suit case is now being packed away for a few months, and the plan is to just be….paint and write here in the UK. I have missed you very much and know that I have a post to read which I will now get to… Also very pleased to hear that Diana had wonderful weather for her birthday. I hope you both enjoyed a very special day. More to come….Janet 🙂
I am so happy to know you haveh ad a marvellous time.Good luck for your next trip
Thank you so much dear Katherine. As I said in another comment having just returned from a wedding in Atlanta, I am now ready to pack the suit case away for a few months and enjoy summer in the UK…painting and writing and hanging loose:) Hope all is well with you after your fall? Janet xx
Thank you,Janet.Yes,I had vertigo but the antibiotics are helping me.I managed to land sitting down!! Weird.So good to know you had a great time.You have sosme lovely friendds :)xxx
Wonderful to go to France with you, Janet. I liked hearing the logistics of how you get there, and of course loved seeing the photos of your friends and the beautiful country in all its dazzling aspects. Looking forward to hearing about the wedding and Part 2. Many thanks and best wishes during your whirlwind travels.
Thank you dear Jet. I should have answered this comment first. Back now and ready to relax…..hoping you are able to do the same. Will be commenting on blogs soon….it’a going to take a few days to get back on track. janet 🙂