The most precious ingredients for a late spring walk are fair weather and sunshine and we were blessed with both at La Baleine. Add beautiful countryside, quiet lanes and wildlife and your day is idyllic. From Le Krill restaurant in the village we climbed a short hill to give us a wonderfully expansive view of the area north towards Coutances.

We exited the woodland at the entrance to the Mini Golf centre and posed for a group photograph before turning briefly onto a quiet road and then exploring deeper into the shade through this countryside billowing with spring wild flowers.

We found tracks that looked as though they had not seen any wheeled traffic for a very long time. A sense of rural abandonment pervaded the land until we met a number of ponies and horses who were curious at our arrival. Who were these strangers briefly disturbing their day? Our Breton spaniel was grateful to share their drinking water as the heat of the midday sun increased.

We occasionally crossed a road as we followed a figure of eight route around this village and followed even quieter and deeper tracks before eventually returning towards our starting point, affording vistas of seemingly endless countryside. I considered it the most beautiful walk to date and have promised the dogs that we will return. We were fortunate to be able to park in the shade at Gavray where the sun continued unabated and we thoroughly enjoyed a varied menu at L’Hotel de la Gare.

Write up and photos courtesy of members.