Thursday, November 26, 2015

Fairies' Land

Sillon de Talbert, Brittany, France

Wandering Around Cottage


I have several posts in mind to write for you.  But deciding which one to write after the last post just wasn't easy. None of those I had planned seemed to fit.

J'ai des tonnes d'articles en tête à écrire. Mais choisir lequel commencer après le précédent n'était pas facile. Rien de ce que j'avais prévu ne me convenait.

So I chose to write a post that I had not planned. Just because this one will have a beautiful story in it.

J'ai donc décidé d'écrire un article pas du tout prévu. Juste parce que ce sera un bon bol d'air avec une belle histoire.

 
A few years ago, I started teaching French to pupils and one of the level I often teach has "medieval litterature" in its curriculum. I chose to study King Arthur's legend with my pupils because it takes place mostly in Brittany and England, so I thought it would be easier for them to relate to a story that happens in places they know.

Il y a quelques années, j'ai commencé à enseigner la légende du roi Arthur. Le Moyen Age est au programme des 5e et en arrivant en Bretagne, il m'a semblé facile de captiver mes élèves grâce à cette histoire qui se passe entre la Bretagne et l'Angleterre.



For those who flunked geography or are simply new here, Brittany is the Western "nose" of France that protrudes in the Ocean. The part in red is the part where Cottage is and where I'm taking you today.

De temps en temps, je me rends sur les lieux supposés de la légende pour pouvoir ensuite en parler à mes élèves. Aujourd'hui, nous partons donc pour le nord de la Bretagne.

So, back to school. Since I try to make the lessons as interesting as possible for my pupils, I visit, every now and then, a place linked to the legend to take pictures.


The "sillon de Talbert" is located about an hour North of Cottage, about where the black spot is.

Le Sillon de Talbert se situe à environ une heure du Cottage et c'est un long cordon de galets qui s'étend au milieu de la Manche.

Today, you're going to walk on this little corridor of rocks that stretches in the Channel.


Obviously, the above picture wasn't taken by me : I'm not a bird and I don't own a helicopter yet. I found it on the town's website as I wanted you to really picture how long it is, so you won't think I'm a slacker when I tell you how tiring the walk was... 

La photo ci-dessus vient du site internet de la ville de Pleubian. Je ne suis pas un oiseau et je ne possède pas encore d'hélicoptère, mais je voulais que vous puissiez voir à quoi cela ressemble vraiment, histoire de ne pas m'accuser d'être une petite nature quand je vous avouerai combien cette promenade était épuisante !


If you're a geologist, you can't help but admire Nature's creation here, this path of rocks in the middle of the sea. You also worry a little that it keeps moving towards the coast and so will probably disappear someday.

Si vous êtes géologue, vous ne pouvez que vous émerveiller devant cette création de la nature, ce chemin de cailloux qui avance dans la mer. Vous vous inquièterez sûrement un peu de savoir qu'il se rapproche peu à peu de la côte et va donc probablement disparaître un jour.


If you like enjoying life, you have a picinic with a friend, admiring the view before walking down the Sillon de Talbert.

Si vous êtes un bon vivant, vous ne manquerez pas de faire une pause pique-nique avant d'entamer votre marche!


If you love animals, you will enjoy trying to see all kind of birds who have made the Sillon de Talbert their home. You'll be very careful to walk only on the allowed pathway in order to avoid stepping on some birds' eggs that look exactly like stones as a sign explains at the entrance of the pathway.


Si vous aimez les animaux, vous tenterez d'apercevoir les nombreux oiseaux qui vivent sur le sillon et vous ferez bien attention de ne marcher que sur le chemin autorisé. En effet, les gravelots ont une technique de camouflage géniale: leurs œufs ressemblent à s'y méprendre à des cailloux et pour éviter trop de casse, les visiteurs n'ont pas le droit de marcher où bon leur semble sur le Sillon.


If you're a French teacher, you will walk on this pathway remembering the story behind it, or rather the many stories behind it. My favourite is the one that says that the fairy Nimue used to live on an island and that Merlin, who lived in Brittany on the mainland, built this path of rocks to be able to visit Nimue who he was in love with.

Merlin & Nimue by Edward Burne-Jones / Merlin et Morgane par Edward Burne-Jones.

Si vous êtes amateur de littérature, vous marchez sur ce cordon au milieu de la mer en vous récitant une des histoires qui racontent sa création. Ma version préférée est celle qui prétend que la fée Viviane vivait sur une île dans la Manche. Merlin, qui en était amoureux, créa un chemin de cailloux pour pouvoir la rejoindre.

If you're a pessimist, you'll wonder if you'll ever make it to the end... and back to the mainland!


Si vous êtes un éternel pessimiste, vous vous demanderez si vous arriverez un jour au bout de ce sillon... et si vous serez capable de faire le chemin en sens inverse !

If you're a former dancer with a weak ankle, you'll just think you were completely stupid to believe this long walk of nearly two miles in the wet rocks was ever a good idea.


Si vous êtes une ancienne danseuse avec une cheville faiblarde, vous vous direz qu'il était vraiment stupide de penser que marcher près de trois kilomètres dans les cailloux était une bonne idée.

If you're my friend, you'll take really stupid pictures of me and then say how sorry you are... It turns out, I thought that very unflattering pictures was totally me.

Si vous êtes mon amie, vous prendrez des photos où je ne suis vraiment pas à mon avantage et vous ne vous excuserez qu'après ! Allez, je vous la montre, car si je n'aime pas les photos posées où l'on essaye de se faire belle, celle-là est vraiment l'opposé !
  

If you're evil, you'll take pictures of your mentionned-above friend with a very red forehead... Yes, the sun in Brittany is dangerous because even if it's never really hot, the sun reverberated on the rocks... No, I'm not evil enough to share those pictures!


Si vous êtes méchante comme moi, vous vous vengez en prenant des photos de l'amie mentionnée plus haut avec un front tout rouge... Eh oui, les gens qui ne sont pas bretons ne se rendent souvent pas compte combien le soleil de la Bretagne est dangereux. Il ne fait jamais très chaud, mais le soleil qui se réverbère sur les cailloux mouillés est très traître. Non, non, je ne suis tout de même pas assez méchante pour vous montrer ces photos !


See you soon,

A bientôt,






PS1: Again a huge thank you for all the kind words of support you sent me from. I have readers all over the world and I do hope you are safe. If you live in Belgium or Tunisia or Mali, my thoughts are with you.

PS 1 : Encore une fois, un grand merci pour tous les gentils messages que j'ai reçus ces derniers temps. J'ai des lecteurs dans le monde entier et je pense bien à vous, avec une mention particulière pour ceux qui vivent en Belgique, en Tunisie et au Mali.

PS2: For all my American readers, have a great Thanksgiving!

47 comments:

  1. Hello Magali, I had the pleasure of watching and reading your post :-) Beautiful pictures .. a true land of fairies :-)
    With me today a cold, frosty day .... I'm sitting in the office and drink coffee so I want to be
    Yours very warm

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  2. Il fait du bien ce bol d'air vivifiant en début de journée. ♥♥

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  3. What a great post! I've loved this trip with you! You are very funny.

    Hugs from the South of Spain

    Marina

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  4. I totally enjoyed your tour of a place that holds wonder for me, Magali! I love the ocean, but I especially LOVE France, and the wild air and ancient lore of this place calls my name. Thank you for always bringing us into your world, and isn't it fun to be a teacher? I am off for the rest of this week for Thanksgiving, and I'll be back on Monday to take my French students through the rigors of l'imparfait and le passé composé together in a narrative, while my higher level French students will be exploring La Belle et La Bête! A bientôt! Anita

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  5. Un grand merci pour ce bel article et les belles photos ( même si on ne
    les a pas toutes vues ......:) )!
    J'adore la légende du Roi Arthur et j'adore la Bretagne!
    Merci et belle journée!

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  6. Le paysage est magnifique et la promenade bien agréable... mais 3 km dans les cailloux, je n'aurai jamais le courage !

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  7. I love learning more about the area in which you live, Magali. Your photos are beautiful and the photo of you is totally adorable! Your students are lucky to have a teacher that makes learning fun and interesting! My son took French for 4 years and now my daughter is taking it as well - they have enjoyed it.

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  8. Magali linda historia y lindas fotos y como siempre me alegro recibir tu blog.cuando yo era pequena vivi por varios anos en una casita construida por franceces en Peru ..,cuidate y hasta la proxima :) nelly

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    1. Gracias , Nelly . Me alegro de que haya disfrutado de la historia y el paseo junto al mar .

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  9. I want to go there!!!!!! How beautiful! Thank you for sharing this lovely and peaceful place. My thoughts and prayers for all of us - particularly those who are suffering from the recent terrorist attacks and threats of attacks. xox

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  10. HI.......Beautiful story an photos..nice to have you back in my inbox.!! your photos make me want to come visit Brittany one day..an everything made perfect sense..especially Merlin making the path..i Love that..to be honest i'm not much of a reader..but that tidbit makes me want to read more of that story..nothing like a Great love story..can't remember their names..but there's one that has a marble sculpture coming to life for the artist..i have that artwork..you would think i could remember their names..i hope you're finding each day a little easier..my thoughts are still with you an yours..have a nice weekend..my daughter asked me to go shopping tomorrow..the craziest day of the yr over here..i may have to sleep til Sunday after that..

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  11. What a wonderful story and you are so fortunate to live near such a lovely place!!

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  12. So lovely Magali, and I doubt there could ever be a bad picture of you.

    xxx

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  13. Beautiful photos. I never knew about this path of rocks, so interesting. Also, I used to read about King Arthur and Merlin when I was a kid, but didn't remember that Merlin lived in Brittany. I always loved those stories. I imagine you are a very good teacher, because you obviously don't just go through the motions. Hoping you have a good week.

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    1. If my lessons were boring, it wouldn't be a bore only for my pupils, but also for me... And I'd rather have a fun day, even when I have to work ;)
      Have a great Sunday!

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  14. Lovely photos and beach. Lovely plant but don't sit on it! Our hearts go out to France at this time. Prayers.

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  15. Magali,
    You live in such beauty. I loved this post today and going along with you. Love all the stories too of this beautiful place.
    Kris

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  16. What an amazing place to visit!AriadnefromGreece!

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  17. I enjoyed this look at the lovely Sillon de Talbert through the eyes of one who knows it so well. The photo of the beautiful woman taking a photo is you, Magali? I love that!

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  18. A very perfect story for my Thanksgiving Day. Being with a good friend is good for the soul. You live in such a beautiful and historical land. I very much enjoy your blog, Thank you! Kathleen in Az

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  19. I loved our little lesson today. Thank you.It's a beautiful place that you live in. I don't know if I'd make the whole hike, but it sure looks like it would be worth it. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Magali!

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  20. I love hearing your story and love reading books about all the folk lore. My thoughts are with all the people and the horrible things that's going on right now. Your story today took us away to something peaceful.

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  21. The "birds eye" view gives you a real scope of the trek ahead. What a wonderful outing to share with a friend. One time at work, co-workers took me to lunch and surprised me with a wee detour to see a birds nest in a pile of small little rocks...it was totally amazing to see the fragile little eggs nestled amongst the rocks. Best ~ Mickie.

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  22. It is so beautiful there! And oh, I'd love to see the birds.
    Brenda

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  23. Il est très curieux ce chemin de cailloux. Trois kilomètres sur des cailloux, il faut avoir le pied léger.
    En tout cas je ne connaissais pas ce chemin. C'est très sympa.
    Caresses aux griffus. Bises. Babette
    Et Tes chaises, elles ont finis?

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  24. Dearest Magali, how you make me smile :) You are so whimsical and lovely, and it's always a joy to visit you. Speaking of visiting, how I would LOVE to visit you in your beautiful homeland.

    Thank you for a delightful post. Hugs and blessings!

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  25. One of my most favorite stories, King Arthur!!! Loving all of your pics and truly doubting that any photos of you are stupid!!! Here's to your helicopter, which hasn't happened yet.....but soon!!!

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  26. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It is lovely in all ways.

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  27. What a nice adventure, although am sure it is difficult to walk over the rocks. Your photos are so pretty. Do the birds lay eggs among the rocks? I would be scared that I would step on them. I enjoy seeing lovely places through your eyes. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  28. merci pour ce beau coin de nature ! une très jolie balade que je ne manquerai pas de faire si mes vacances me ramènent vers la Bretagne...
    bon week-end ! monique59

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  29. When I was a wee girl I use to build fairy cottages. I should begin again! :)

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  30. I just finished reading Mary Stewart's trilogy about Arthur and Merlin this morning, and it made me want to go to Brittany!

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  31. Thank you for your kind Thanksgiving wish and for the beautiful tour of your Coast. Best wishes to you.

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  32. You are truly a special teacher, Magali! Not just to your students, but to your readers, as well! Really enjoyed this lovely walk with you, especially since I didn't have to exert myself, lol! Is that really you in the photo, Magali?!?!?!

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  33. Loved this walk with you from the comfort of my own home. The day looked perfect and taught me about an area I didn't know. Have a wonderful and safe week xx

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  34. beautiful post! I understand about what you are saying...

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  35. Love, love the tour and all your photos Magali! The stories are quite interesting as well, I haven't read King Arthur would you believe so I was surprised to know some of it took place in your neck of the woods. I enjoy posts like this too, it takes me to another world and time... Thank you!

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  36. Your post is both amusing and uplifting - just the right tone. I am hoping people all over can replenish their souls and move forward.

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  37. Merci pour cette ballade iodée, cela fait beaucoup de bien ! Je sens les embruns rien qu'en lisant ton article...
    Ce lieu a l'air magnifique.
    Bonne journée.
    Nathalie

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  38. I think teachers like you bring out the best in their students. What a gorgeous place to visit and fascinating, too! Our girls had teachers who traveled the world and had much to share with their students. I hope your students learned their lessons!

    Thanks for sharing your lovely photos!

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  39. Beautiful walk.I love the love story. I also love King Arthur and read it with my daughter, because they don't teach those stories anymore. :( xoxo Su

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  40. Beautiful post -- words and photos. Love the addition of a long scarf to the straw hat. I'm going to use that one. Jo @ Let's Face the Music

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  41. What a beautiful place in the world you live in! I'm glad you take us on these little tours and give us a little history lesson behind them, too. Is that you - or your friend - in the photo with the camera? Whichever one of you she is, she's a very pretty woman!

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