Saturday afternoon walk

The weather has been so miserable lately that it seems ages since we went out for a walk, but yesterday we managed it, even enjoying a spot of sunshine. As I type I can see a beautiful blue sky out there with the heavy frost disappearing as the sun rises. Come on, spring, we're waiting!

The first photo shows our neighbour's mimosa buds. The question is: will these buds develop into proper blossom? Last year the frosts affected many mimosas in the area.

We have a new cinema/theatre under construction in the town (going out towards La Terrière for those in the know) and hopefully it will be completed by the end of February. If you look carefully you might be able to spot the turf roof - very environmental! We went to see 'Invictus' at the cinema in Luçon last week, even before its release in the UK. Highly recommended!

And finally several beach shots, including a fully dressed sunbather.

We had a lovely time and finished the day off by being invited to eat with JP&C. After a very quiet few weeks perhaps our social life is picking up again.

Weekend away (for a change)

Yes, I know we're never at home - not exactly true but once again we hit the road last Friday to go and see 'Er from Brittany who has her Mum visiting at the moment, and a wonderful time we had too!

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The weather was very poor on Saturday and we only managed to venture to the local shops in a brief respite from the rain. Luckily on Sunday morning we awoke to a beautiful day and despite a few fluffy clouds we three youngsters (combined age 172 years) drove over to the Presqu'île de Gâvres where we had an invigorating walk along the beach. As you can see this area also has erosion worries with high sea walls for protection. On the other side of the peninsula we found a boat graveyard - it's hard to judge how long some of the wrecks had been there.

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Back in La Tranche we managed a walk yesterday, just about avoiding the rain (again). Photos 4 & 5 were taken at the Plage des Génerelles where there seems to be some work going on to protect one of the houses at risk.

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Finally I hope you're impressed with the individual cheese soufflés I baked last night for our meal. You see, I DO earn my keep (and the courgette soup is amazing)!

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ps. I can't resist asking you to look closely at Photo 2 - now who is that in the background?!!

Wildlife

I have to admit I've still not seen it snow in La Tranche as last week's fall happened overnight. However the snow stayed on the ground for a week due to sub-zero temperatures (also making treacherous driving conditions) but it's already just a memory now the thaw is complete.

We've been looking after the wild birds that frequent our garden as you can see above. Just as temperatures were rising mid-week I discovered a walk along one of the many canals around La Tranche and saw at least 15 coypus ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coypu ) enjoying the gently warm sunshine. The water must still have been pretty cold though!

Ste Eugénie, Biarritz

Something a little different this time: several shots of the beautiful church in Biarritz just by the old harbour. We went for a very cool evening stroll with Nicole to 'Le Rocher de la Vierge' and saw this wonderful son et lumière on the way - fabulous projections on the church edifice accompanied by powerful canticles. Amazing, despite the bitter cold.

I must say a BIG thank you to Nicole for her fantastic blog for New Year. We had a wonderful time with our 'old' friends and look forward to many more fun occasions, especially once N has perfected all of Jamie's recipes!!

Well, well, well

So it DOES sometimes snow in La Tranche as these photos show. It was a complete surprise to us waking up on Wednesday, but more of a challenge for Tine who made it to work in La Roche. All I had to do was wrap up and push the button on the camera!

Look carefully at Photo 6 and you can see where a pool of water left by the sea has frozen at the sides. No polar bears in view, though. Instead there's M&J enjoying a cheeky Ricard on their terrace (thanks for the photo, M)!

These and more photos on http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/LaTrancheInTheSnow

Bonne année 2010!

Chers lecteurs du blog du célèbre Englishman in la Tranche, non vous ne rêvez pas c'est bien du français que vous lisez aujourd'hui, mais rassurez-vous cela ne durera pas, et en plus si vous êtes sages vous aurez une traduction dans la langue de Shakespeare, Churchill et Mr Bean.
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Dear readers of the famous Englishman in la Tranche blog, no you aren't dreaming, this really is French that you're reading today, but don't worry this won't last for long, furthermore if you are good you will have a translation in the language of Shakespeare, Churchill and Mr Bean.
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Cette année 2010 a donc bien commencé puisque nous étions en compagnie de Tine et David, qui avaient bravé les intempéries dans leur petite Modus (et avec les conseils de leur GPS, tout de même…) pour venir enterrer 2009 au Pays Basque. Journée préparatifs de fête le 31 décembre (ici c’est le Sud Ouest, pour faire la fête il faut faire à manger, on ne plaisante pas avec ça), avec un petit tour réussi à la pêche pour commencer...
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Indeed 2010 has started well since we were in the company of Tine and Dave, who had braved the inclement weather in their little Modus (and with the advice of their Sat Nav, all the same...) to come and bury 2009 in the Basque Country. Day of preparation on 31st December (here it's the South West, you have to prepare food to celebrate, it's no joke), with a little fishing trip to start...

sous l’œil intéressé de l’autochtone

under the watchful eye of one of the locals

puis au marché de Biarritz

then onto the market in Biarritz

et enfin en cuisine où Tine a adoré le tablier sexy (modèle grand-mère années 60)

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and finally into the kitchen where Tine adored the sexy apron (60s grandmothers' style)

pour la préparation des souris à l’étouffée (pauvres bêtes, mais délicieuses)! Agréable soirée dans un décor spécialement conçu par le plasticien maison,

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for the preparation of baked lamb shanks (poor creatures, but delicious)! A lovely evening with decorations especially conceived by the in-house designer

visiblement influencé par Chillida et ses « peignes de vent » de la proche ville espagnole de Saint Sébastien (http://sephyr.kazeo.com/Temporaire/Chillida-Peine-del-viento-ou-peigne-du-vent,p905652.html). Peut-être une conséquence, le lendemain le vent soufflait bon train sur la côte basque et l’océan montrait ses vagues...

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obviously influenced by Chillida and his "Peignes de Vent" in the nearby Spanish town of Saint Sébastien (http://sephyr.kazeo.com/Temporaire/Chillida-Peine-del-viento-ou-peigne-du-vent,p905652.html). Maybe as a consequence, next day the wind was really blowing on the Basque coast, the ocean showing its waves...

tandis que la ville de Biarritz se donnait en spectacle nocturne.

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while the town of Biarritz gave a nocturnal show.

(église Ste Eugénie)

(Saint Eugénie Church)

Bref, quelques journées bien agréables et bien remplies, à se balader et cuisiner ensemble, à condition tout de même que Tine puisse bénéficier ensuite d’un fauteuil un peu confortable...

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In short, a few lovely full days, walking and cooking together, but only on condition that Tine could later enjoy a rather comfortable armchair...

Bonne année à tous, et bon courage à tous ceux qui travaillent, nous les retraités sommes de tout cœur avec vous!

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Happy New Year to everyone, and courage to all those who work, we retired people are wholeheartedly with you!