MONT SAINT-MICHEL at last.

Yesterday's post, I couldn't upload due to internet crapiness:

I finally got to Mont Saint-Michel today. It's been three days since I first glimpsed it in the distance.

The sun was peaking through the clouds today and there was no rain, so I made my way there in the morning. It really is impressive. For those that don't know it is a monastery built on top of a big rock in the middle of a bay. When the tide is in it becomes an island. When armies attack it becomes a fortress.

When I first arrived in the outer town I thought I'd been duped into going to a shopping district. The street was fittingly medieval. It was lined with restaurants, shops and some of the seediest looking museums I've seen outside of Amsterdam. Even though I despise shopping districts and shopping centres, seeing that street bustling and alive was quite cool.

The street wound it's way up to the monastery itself which was the main attraction. The Catholics must have all came out with tired arms because there was a lot of crossing themselves going on. Chapels everywhere. The kitchen was even a chapel. I don't know a lot about religion so the religious aspect went right over my head, except that Saint Michael was a warrior Saint that killed a dragon. That might not even be right.

The building itself though was amazing. It's probably the closest I've seen to what I've imagined a castle to be like, especially  from the inside. Winding passage ways connecting enormous halls (which were actually chapels). High walls overlooking the surrounds. When monks weren't using it for whatever it is that monks do (nothing?) it was an impregnable fortress.  It survived multiple assaults during the hundred years war and it was easy to see why. It became a national symbol for this reason.

The crypts that were built to support the massive chapels above were just as incredible. I think they might have been chapel crypts because they had some crosses in there. I really want to describe them but there might be architects reading so I better not.

I also spotted quite a few groups of people doing the bay walk. I definitely could have made it over from Saint Jean le Thomas.

After I left I thought I'd ride to Pontorson, go to the camp ground and try to get my clothes clean. It was only 7 or 8km away. I got there and the campground was amazing. Nice big pool, spa, games and a petting zoo. A bloody petting zoo. It was €29 a night though so I kept going. But it would be a top place to go for a cheap long weekend.

Nearest campground was 12km away at another town. So I rode there but the campground didn't exist. Someone had put a timber yard in its place.

Next campground was 20km away. After stitching me up with the last campground google stitched me up with the directions to this one too. About a third of the roads didn't exist. So I probably rode 25km getting here. I don't even know where I am. About half way to Rennes. It is in the middle of nowhere, on a lake. It's really nice though. Because there are no towns nearby I had to have a pizza for dinner by the lake. Hard life. I'm here for 2 nights while I wash and dry my stuff.

You'll work out what the pictures are.