May 8, 2017. Back to Neolithic times

LOCATION:  Housesitting outside of Poullouen, Brittany, France

WEATHER:  Mostly sunny.  Highs in 60s

 

Today's weather forecast was good, so we decided to go on one of our longer road trips.  After morning chicken chores, we drove about 75 miles south to the Atlantic Coast.  Our goal was to visit 2 of the famous megalith sites from Neolithic times.   First up, though, was lunch.  Today is another holiday here, Victory Day.  It is when WWii was declared ended in France.  In anticipation of everything being closed up, we had brought some pate for a picnic, "just in case".  Indeed, as we traveled south, absolutely everything was closed up tight.  We arrived in the town where the first historical site is located.  It is a tourist town, so there were some restaurants open.  Most restaurants serve lunch between noon and 2:00.  We had been warned not to try to go into one at 1:45 and expect to be served.  So, with a bit of trepidation, we found a bar/sandwich place at 1:47.  The waiter said we could eat, but would have to leave by 2:00!  So, we gobbled down some croque sandwiches.  

The first site we visited is called the "alignments".  There are 3000+ of these rocks called menhirs that men in 5000 - 2000 BC transported here and lined up in perfect lines.  There are multiple sites over 3 miles long.

How did they do that?  Why did they do that?  No one knows.

 

Then, we drove about 10 miles to another site.  There are different sections, all built all throughout the Neolithic period.   This one was a massive grave site.  There were intricate engravings inside.

 

These are the remains of huge tall statues, that have since fallen over.  They weigh 300 tons.  The stone isn't even from this area....the men had to bring them here.  

And interestingly, researchers have found that there was a class system even back in those times.  This would have been the grave for just one, highly regarded person.

We plan on more outings in the new few days, then it is supposed to start raining again.  

DINNER:  Risotto with the stinky andouille sausage.  I normally don't make risotto so often, but I bought a big bag of rice in Italy and am trying to use it up before we return.  The sausage wasn't as stinky as the Brits warned us it would be....we actually like it.  I added some onion and garlic to the sausage and stirred it into the risotto.  I think it turned out well.