Giles and Paula's Great Retirement Adventure

[Giles]

Last night, we had one of the eating experiences I was hoping to find. We found a little bar run by husband and wife, she did the booze, he cooked in a kitchen effectively open to the seating area. We sat down got served some wine and waited for the menu. After about tens mins Mme came to the table planted both palms firmly on the table top and just announced, “Calamar, Lotte ou Entrecote”. No starters or puds. We both had Lotte and it was amazing, proper food. We left the greatest of friends. Heaven.

[Giles]

We are now on our way to Lorient, a passage of about 30 miles. It ain't rough out here…

On in the background….

[Tago Mago]

@Giles sounds fantastic. I would have gone for the entrecote for two reasons: firstly, not the biggest fan of squid, secondly, had to google what lotte is

I'd imagine that Moon Safari is a great accompaniment to your trip

[Giles]

Now on

[goosehd]

@Giles @Tago-Mago Lotte is a fish stew cooked in a tomato base? Typically I drink white with fish, but assume that you had a red since it was a tomato based stew?

[ROman]

@Tago-Mago said in Giles and Paula's Great Retirement Adventure:

@Giles sounds fantastic. I would have gone for the entrecote for two reasons: firstly, not the biggest fan of squid, secondly, had to google what lotte is

I'd imagine that Moon Safari is a great accompaniment to your trip

Agreed with the entrecote. Googled lotte as well, Giles has told me that monkfish is excellent.

[Giles]

Pimped Up Nishi Katona Piri Piri Rice on the go.....

[Giles]

So last night, Paula managed to get the best seats in one of the local restaurants (the only one that realised that Euro 2024 was still happening apparently).
They sold a wide variety of Saucisson, and after chatting to our waiter I resolved to buy a "Classic" and a "Fumé" when I picked up the bill.

When I did ask for the bill (which was after the final whistle), I asked the owner to add the Saucisson to the bill. He said, "Have them on me, it looks like you need cheering up".

God I fucking love this place.

[AdamJ]

@Giles @SamD introduced me to that record last year, great choice!

[Giles]

What a treat this morning.

I saw what is I believe, the largest sailing trimaran in the world leave the harbour, she had a couple of ribs with her too. She is absolutely enormous. I wish I could get out into the bay to see her under sail, though there is no way we could keep up with her.

[Giles]

We are staying in Lorient for a few more days. This is our view today. For those of you with any interest in WWII, this is the Chateau where Admiral Karl Doenitz ran the U Boat campaigns against the allied convoys. A tad ostentatious....

[Tago Mago]

@Giles the Nazis were not known for low-key or subtle

[FlavourFade]

@Giles very supervillainy

[Giles]

And we have the submarine pens to starboard:

and a Vaubon fort to port:

[Giles]

Last night we popped into the Tabac for a quick drink. We prefer the Tabac to the other more upmarket bars, it’s down a sleazy side street opposite the public loos, but is where the locals hang. Long story short, we have been invited to go play Boule Bretonne plombée later today.

I have a feeling drinking may be involved.

[endo]

@Giles said in Giles and Paula's Great Retirement Adventure:

I have a feeling drinking may be involved.

c'est la vie

[Giles]

[Tago Mago]

I mean you have to respect local traditions, right?

[Giles]

Yes, do not want to offend our new Breton friends.

Waiting to be picked up at the Tabac…..

[Matt]

It would seem that our crucial mistake when embarking upon our great adventure was bringing our kids. You guys seem to be having a much better time.