Our Big Move To France

Our friend Miyoko texted over WhatsApp, “Hey, you should meet my friends who just moved to France.” So we took the train to a lovely coastal town named Vannes and spent a day meeting new friends.

Vannes is a walled city, with a population of just under 56,000. It was founded by Celts around 150BCE. Subsequently occupied by the usual culprits, aka the Romans, then came the Brits, thus establishing Brittany, followed by French dynasties. Its symbol is the cutest ermine ever.

It was a day of dramatic skies for sure. One highlight was the washing house at the rivers edge. Once a place of busy laundering, now a favorite hideaway for a romantic snog.

The cathedral we visited is under major restoration so much of it was off limits, but tucked away in the back is an older nave. You know how I love Memento Mori? I managed to spot a nod to the reminders of our common destiny, the hourglass and the skull.

And of course every town has it’s carousel

On the train ride home, we met a lovely young woman, Fanny, who spoke amazing English, and was so kind and joyous. She made the ride home to Nantes fly by. Thank you to Diane and Dennis for a welcoming day full of uplifting conversation and for sharing their new hometown with us.