Looks Like Schist

Barfleur looks pretty, says Belle. 

It is one of the Beautiful Villages, says Saint Méen. 

Woop, says Terence. 

Don't scoff, says Belle. Look those nice granite houses, covered with schist.

Terence looks. But it doesn't look much like schist.

There's a  lighthouse, out on the point, says Saint Maclou. 

And a smell of fish, says Belle. 

It's a fishing village, says Saint Maclou. Fish, crustaceans, and open sea mussels.

The Normans left from here, says Saint Maclou. To battle the English.

What are Normans? asks Terence.

Normans, says Saint Méen.

But what are they? asks Terence, persisting. 

Men from Normandy, says Saint Méen. A long time ago. With swords, lances and bows and arrows.

Did they win? asks Terence.

That's enough, says Belle. Let's keep going. 

But did they? asks Terence.

Yes, says Saint Méen. 

Yay! says Terence. Did they have horses?

Probably, says Saint Méen. He imagines they must have. Probably floated them across the Channel on vessels. But he had not in fact seen it.

I had a horse, says Terence. It was called Monty. But I lost it.

It wasn't a real one, says Belle. It was a toy.

But I'm getting a real one, says Terence.

He isn't, says Belle. Just imagine!

When we get to Saint Malo, says Saint Maclou, I'll ask our neighbor Madame Ponty to give you a ride on her pony.

Belle winces. This is not a good idea.

Yay! says Terence. What's a pony?

Explanations ensue.

......

They cycle out of Barfleur, passing the second tallest lighthouse in Europe, manned nowadays by a lobster.