Hello from Ted! This week’s walk took me on a very special journey, a birthday adventure full of history, sea breezes, and the best French food you could imagine. Here’s where my paws took me…

 

Day One – Portsmouth &  Royal Haslar 

We began in Portsmouth with a tour of Royal Haslar, once the Royal Navy’s grand medical base. Built in the 18th century (1753), it served for over 250 years as one of the most advanced naval hospitals in the world. During wartime, thousands of sailors were treated here, and it became known for pioneering medical care. Today, it’s being redeveloped into flats, but walking through its historic grounds was a real step back in time, especially for Andy, who once worked here as a naval physio. We spent three hours exploring, with the rain kindly holding off, imagining the many stories these walls could tell.

 

Day Two – The Mary Rose & Setting Sail

Next stop: Portsmouth Docks to see the world-famous Mary Rose. King Henry VIII’s beloved flagship was launched in 1511 and served for 34 years before sinking in battle in 1545. She lay beneath the Solent for more than 400 years until her dramatic raising in 1982. Now beautifully conserved, walking through the museum feels like stepping into Tudor life, the ship’s timbers, the weapons, even the everyday belongings of her crew. A truly unforgettable visit.

 

From there, it was time to board our overnight ferry to France, the brand new hybrid Brittany Ferries Saint-Malo. With roomy cabins and a comfortable bed, we drifted to sleep with the hum of the sea, ready to wake up on the other side for a birthday to remember.

 

Day Three – A Birthday in Saint-Malo

We awoke on a cold but bright morning in Saint-Malo, the “corsair city.” The old walled town (Intra-Muros) has a remarkable story: during World War II it was almost entirely destroyed by Allied and German bombing in 1944. Yet, brick by brick, it was rebuilt to its original medieval design, a testament to the resilience and pride of its people.

 

We ambled through cobbled streets, stopped for breakfast at one of our favourite cafés, and browsed the little shops, before heading back to the hotel to prepare for a special birthday meal.

 

That evening, we dined at the Hôtel Chateaubriand, a beautiful 18th-century building named after the famous French writer and politician François-René de Chateaubriand, who was born in Saint-Malo. The hotel has long been a place of elegance and fine dining – and it was the perfect spot to enjoy a Chateaubriand steak paired with a rich Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A birthday feast I’ll never forget!

 

Day Four – Cancale & Oysters by the Sea

The next day, still dry and sunny, we took a trip along the coast to the pretty seaside town of Cancale. Famous since Roman times, Cancale is known as the “oyster capital of Brittany.” Its vast oyster beds stretch across the bay, supplying delicacies to Paris and beyond. In fact, Louis XIV, the Sun King, had Cancale oysters delivered daily to Versailles!

 

We wandered through the bustling market stalls where freshly harvested oysters were being sold just hours out of the water. Afterwards, we tucked into a beautiful seafood meal at the Cancalisse restaurant on the seafront, watching the waves sparkle in the autumn sunshine.

 

Day Five – Farewell to Brittany

All too soon it was time for a final French breakfast and one last stroll along the cobbled streets before saying goodbye to this enchanting corner of Brittany. We boarded the ferry home with full hearts, happy memories, and a few bottles of wine tucked safely away for Gordon’s Grog Club! 

 

Ted’s Closing Thought

This trip was full of history, food, and laughter, from naval hospitals and Tudor ships to oysters and Chateaubriand steak. A true birthday adventure by land and sea, and one I’ll treasure forever. Until next time… paws crossed for sunshine!