John Sheldon's photos

Menhir of the 'Field of Woe'. Original 'normally coloured' DNG manipulated using Adobe Lightroom 3. Currently the largest standing stone in France. An easy walk from Dol de Bretagne. The Menhir stands 9.5m high with an estimated weight of 150 tons. According to legend, the menhir fell from the skies to separate two feuding brothers who were on the point of killing each other. This legend is said to account for the name "Champ Dolent" which means "Field of Sorrow". In reality, the word dolent is more likely to derive from Breton ‘dolenn’ ("meadow"). Another legend states that the menhir is slowly sinking into the ground, and the world will end when it disappears altogether. It is not precisely dated, but recent scholarship suggests that Brittany's menhirs were erected c. 5000–4000 BC.

Menhir of the 'Field of Woe'. Currently the largest standing stone in France. An easy walk from Dol de Bretagne. The Menhir stands 9.5m high with an estimated weight of 150 tons. According to legend, the menhir fell from the skies to separate two feuding brothers who were on the point of killing each other. This legend is said to account for the name "Champ Dolent" which means "Field of Sorrow". In reality, the word dolent is more likely to derive from Breton ‘dolenn’ ("meadow"). Another legend states that the menhir is slowly sinking into the ground, and the world will end when it disappears altogether. It is not precisely dated, but recent scholarship suggests that Brittany's menhirs were erected c. 5000–4000 BC.

Statue, sited in Place de Chateaubriand, Dol de Bretagne.

La boîte à joujoux. 'Salon de Thé' in Rue de Petit Fort, Dinan, Brittany.

Tea and scones at a 'Salon de Thé' in Rue de Petit Fort, Dinan, Brittany. Owner fluent in French, English and Italian (and probably more ...).

A door at Dinan Cathedral, Brittany, France

Overlooking the big bridge at Dinan, from the top of the ancient city walls.

"Life will find a way ..." Ancient wall defences at Dol in Brittany. William Duke of Normandy and Duke Harold of England attacked Conan Duke of Brittany at Dol, according to the images on the Bayeaux Tapestry.

Part of the ancient town defences at Dol in Brittany. William Duke of Normandy and Duke Harold of England attacked Conan Duke of Britany at Dol, according to the images on the Bayeaux Tapestry.