France 2005

In August 2005 I decided to take my car down to France, via the Dover to Calais ferry link and do a circular 6 day tour of the North West, going though Paris, down to the Loire Valley, then across to the west coast following the River Loire and then up to Calais via Rouen. My plan was to stick to minor roads so that I'd get to see as much as possible.

Orlèans

After a day and a half's driving I finally got down to the Loire Valley at Orlèans. As I got there at about midday, I had plenty of time to explore the Town and it's riverside.

I was using a new digital camera and I also took my laptop so I could edit the pictures at the hotels. I quickly discovered that some interesting results could be had by making cuts from the original picture.

I could take pictures from quite a distance and then cut out the picture a really wanted, giving the impression that I was a lot closer.


Loire Valley

One of the highlights for me on this trip was the drive long the River Loire. The road keeps quite close to the river and as you drive along, you get glimpses of the famous Loire Valley Chateaux. Some of the castles, though, were hidden away. This made for some interesting detours.

Another aspect of my new camera that I discovered was that when cuts were taken, it was quite difficult to determine depth. This picture illustrates this, the castle and church spire look as one, but were in fact quite some distance apart.

Taken in the beautiful Loire Valley village of Montsoreau where I stopped of for a birthday Croque Monseur and a beer.

Damgan, Arzon & Dinan

On the fourth day of driving, I reached the west coast at Damgan & Arzan. These cocklepickers pictured on Damgan beach.

Dinan was another highlight of my trip. I shouldn't have been surprised as it came highly recommended by my father. I spend the late afternoon and evening exploring the two level town.

Rouen

As the light faded, I found it increasingly difficult to get a steady picture. I've now found a setting that takes a delayed picture which helps with steadiness. However, I think the blurriness of this picture adds somewhat to the gargoyles.