Wendy Mewes
Writer, Walker, Guide
Published work
and review extracts
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Footprint guides
"This is an appealing publication, as attractive in its writing and content as in its outward appearance. Pretty surely everything you might need to know about Brittany, both before you go and when you are actually on holiday, is here. ...Beautiful cameo descriptions of hotels and restaurants offer details that can onlyhave been achieved with a huge amount of personal research."
Amazon review
Brittany West Coast (Footprint Focus)
This is an area specific text, updated, taken from the main guide.
LATEST WORK
(April 2013):The Saints' Shore Way
Travelogue
Walking the Nantes-Brest Canal
"A fascinating journey brought to life in this very personal account. A sharing of the vistas and history of the canal as she is compelled along the path full of its own stories entwined with her own thoughts."
Walking guides
"We tested Wendy Mewes’ book on a recent visit to Brittany. We are not serious walkers, but seeing the lovely countryside on foot was the highlight of our stay, and we found the book an excellent guide. It is thoroughly researched, well organised and the directions comprehensive..."
"...primarily at towpath walkers and cyclists, and for them it is surely a well thought out practical guide, detailing distances, accommodation, restaurants and shops where essential provisions may be bought. Anyone planning a cruising holiday on the Nantes-Brest Canal would also do well to obtain a copy because it goes well beyond the literature offered by hire bases and would certainly add to the holiday.
Walking the Brittany Coast, vol 2
"For anyone wanting a comprehensive guide to walking the Brittany coast,this is the one. The maps and directions are clearly laid out and the text is easy to follow. Packed full of information on history, legends and wildlife. An abundance of photographs giving you a flavour of what to expect before setting out. There is so much information it makes a good bedtime read."
The Saints' Shore Way, Brittany's best coastal walking.
This guidebook outlines a long-distance coastal walk in Brittany from Roscoff via Morlaix to Lannion, mainly using the Custom Officers’ path. Its themes are coastal connections between Brittany and Britain: the arrival of saints in the Dark Ages, the linen trade, rivalry at sea and WWII activities. It is conceived as an extension across the Channel of the Saints’ Way in Cornwall.
History and legends
Discovering the History of Brittany
"...a must for those who have
more than a passing interest in this unique part of France. This is the perfect companion not only for the visitor to Brittany
but also for those who simply enjoy history presented with intelligence,
erudition and clarity."
The Shape of Mist / Lambeaux de Brume
Tales of the Monts d'Arrée
"It has always seemed to me that the Monts d’Arrée is one of those special and remarkable ‘edge’ places that sharpens the mind and stimulates the imagination to an acute degree. Here the forms of reality and fantasy blur easily, here the realms of serious thought and ironic humour blend as naturally as sky and clouds. I’ve tried to capture some of these compelling fusions in the stories of this collection."
Drawing on many sources of popular oral tradition, the author provides a detailed context for stories and sayings from all over Brittany. The founding saints, landscape, the sea, women, death and the devil, and all sorts of little people are among the themes of this book. Ankou, Conomor, King Arthur and the city of Ys all make their appearance alongside black dogs, giants, sirens and sinners.
The chosen legends range in subject from the fantastical to important historic events, and in time from pre-history to the present day. The folklorists and conteurs who have kept these tales alive are also honoured here.
Tour guide
Finistere: things to see and do at the end of the world...
"...a number of tours which, by following clearly described routes, introduce the visitor who may not have a lot of time to plan their own trips around this lovely area of Brittany. Even the casual reader will gain an insight into the region from the wide-ranging selection of tours excellently illustrated with colour photographs."
Fiction
"Reading Moon Garden once was simply not enough. I just had to breathe in more of the seductive scents in the air wafting round the characters of this fascinating novel, where Rufus, a gentle soul buffeted by some of the world's breezier constituents, discovers the art of empowerment and direction in his new surroundings. This is a story to uplift us all."
"...takes us on a journey of discovery to Brittany and has us longing to immerse ourselves in the wild, mysterious region of the Monts d'Arrée, especially if it means becoming involved with the quickly and sensitively-drawn characters as they wrestle with their problems of life and relationships. Wendy's warmth, humanity and sympathetic style with character and plot, and her subtle insistence that we too should use the earth's forces, energies and signposts to change our lives and make decisions, produce a book of irresistible momentum, engagement and huge satisfaction. A book to lift the spirits!"
See my blog at www.wendymewes.blogspot.com