St Malo’s old town is a walled citadel. It is, however, an accurate reconstruction as 80% of it was destroyed during the last war. It was originally a fortified island occupied by pirates who used its’ commanding position to control this section of the coast and extract tribute from passing ships. These pirate adventurers travelled far and wide, exploring and settling such places as the Falkland Islands, which they called Les Malouines (a St Malo inhabitant is a Malouin), and hence the Spanish name Las Malvinas. So really Brittany should be claiming the Falklands.
This week we’re tying up with Adam, Alison and Gemma who have a cottage not far from our campsite, and here we are having drinks in the warm sunshine. There are numerous islands in St Malo bay making it very picturesque, and if you carried on straight over Jane’s head for 30 miles, you’d arrive at Jersey.
The whole coastal region is prolific in oyster and mussel beds. I think they hide the oysters away as they command a premium price- one euro each- but mussels are more accessible. The photo shows a dense bed on the causeway to one of the nearest islands. Moules marinières feature on practically every restaurant menu in the area, always with chips. In Scotland the equivalent would be haggis and chips.
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