We left Hayling Island on Monday afternoon for the short drive to the Brittany Ferries docks at Portsmouth Harbour, arriving some 4 hours prior to our scheduled departure. We always hope first on first off but despite being almost first in the queue, we were most definitely last on, boarding only a few minutes before the scheduled departure.
Our ship, the Bretagne, departed more or less on time so just a few minutes after our boarding. We had only managed to book an inside 2-berth cabin which was dark and claustrophobic but still, only one night to spend in it.
This ship was built in 1989 and certainly looks dated in comparison to the very latest LPG fired ferries operating on the UK – Spain route.
In the morning, we were however, one of the first outfits to disembark. We were straight through passport control and saw no other signs of customs, animal health checks or anything to delay our onward journey. In fact, we hadn’t even taken time to set up the satnav nor familiarise ourselves with the journey…
The journey to Pont Scorff took around 3 hours to cover the 110 miles or so to travers Brittany, North to South.
Our Campsite at Pont Scorff, TY Nenez, is located inland in a rural area and is quiet. We were greeted personally as we walked into reception, suggesting we were the only arrivals that day. Still, everyone was helpful and we were directed to a very large pitch, in the middle of the site.
Pont Scorff is a small pretty Breton village, with a few shops, bars and restaurants. Its a two minute drive to the Super U where we stocked up on essentials. Basically Baguettes and Red wine!
Wednesday we cycled into Lorient. There’s a dedicated cycleway or via verde right outside the campsite and we rode into the edge of Lorient on a very peaceful and pleasant journey. Lorient itself was a nightmare. Traffic everywhere, plenty of cycle routes, some segregated and some not. Every roundabout was a challenge!
As the afternoon wore on, the temperature dropped further and we had made it as far as the centre of Lorient. With menacing skies up above, we decided to head back to the caravan before we were wet and cold.
If the weather (which has been and is forecast at best to be mixed) improves and we get the chance to cycle again, there looks to be a nice route to the coastal village of Le Couregant, accessible from the edge of the town of Lorient.
Our Tuesday cycle…
Thursday was another wet day and between showers, we walked the 2/3 miles to the far side of Pont Scorff for lunch at a delightful riverside restaurant. Specialising mainly in burgers, there were other options, such as the lamb, which Moe ate, as part of the Menu.
The staff were very friendly and spent ages after the meal talking through places we could visit during our short stay in Brittany.
We walked back through Pont Scorff, visiting the church and village square.
