Evil Aunts III: Out & about

We took Kate & Silv to visit a few favourite spots this year, one day to Venise Verte and another to Puits d'Enfer and Port Bourgenay. However they made themselves very much at home on 'our' beach while I was helping Matt at La Paillote in the morning. The two of them are actually in the sea in the first photo (perhaps thinking of Pedro's bar in the distance, or was that just me?)

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It was glorious the day we showed the girls le Puits d'Enfer and the cliff walk at Port Bourgenay. Tine is attempting to unknot the tree in photo five!

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Finally the creature of the week: a bright green stick insect that stopped on our back wall for much of the day. Now will I be able to capture our pet toad that only seems to make an appearance after dark?!

Evil Aunts III: Bastille Day

Weather conditions nearly forced the council to cancel the annual firework display to celebrate Bastille Day. Thankfully the rains stopped and the wind died down slightly to allow the many thousands of visitors (and residents!) to witness yet another superbly choreographed display of fireworks and music.

This time Kate & Silv were here to enjoy the town's efforts and were suitably impressed of course (plus the compulsory drinks before and after at La Paillote). Next firework display is on 15th August. Let's hope we have a houseful!

Evil Aunts III: Venise Verte

Yes, the Evil Aunts have been back for their annual visit and a wonderful week we had too, with good weather and even managing a couple of trips out.

I know you've seen photos of 'Venise Verte' before but it is equally beautiful each time we visit. The woman in charge recognised me and gave us a discount which went as a tip for the young lad who carefully punted us through the waterways. Perhaps we ought to try a different departure place next time...

The last two photos were taken at Maillezais and it is indeed Kate (not Moses) playing hide-and-seek behind the bulrushes

One way pizza & beauty in the garden!

For those who know La Tranche here's the now permanently one-way street leading to the life-guards' look-out post, and a very good job they have made of it too, not that I would drive into town mid-summer when it's bedlam!

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Next is one of Tine's pizzas, very much up to last year's standard on beautifully thin bases. The obligatory rosé wine is also in evidence. La Paillote is doing really well so fingers crossed for the rest of the season.

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I promise the next two photos are from this year as I posted a photo of our albizia tree last July. Well it's just as beautiful this year...

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And finally look what Tine spotted the other day climbing up the dill plant (the caterpillar not Tine). It makes you wonder if the butterfly or moth was equally beautiful. No doubt some of my regular readers will let me know!!

Everything in the garden is looking ... green?

At last a garden update for the curious!

(1) Broad beans, which look very healthy but whose beans are tiny! Advice anyone?

(2) Onions just about ready to dry off before hanging. Potato plants behind

(3) Artichokes - more successful this year but it's hard to know when to crop. This one is already turning to flower but we're not complaining as they are beautiful

(4) White grapes - fingers crossed we have a good a crop as last year. Delicious!

(5) Apple tree no. 1

(6) Mrs Farmer picking green beans

(7) Come on tomatoes, redden up!

(8) Apple tree no. 2

(9) Pear tree

Bon appetit!

An old friend, first dips & evening light

Yes look who's back, our friend the bright green gecko who is obviously enamoured with our geraniums and more than happy to have his photo taken.

A bit like the mad woman I found floating in the sea, later perfecting her cool dude hip-hop hands look; and the old man experiencing his first 2010 dip in the sea.

Thankfully all was back to normal in the beautiful evening light. Now where's that aperitif (and who's going to do the watering)?

When England were still in the World Cup!

Matt was already planning what he was going to do for the World Cup this time last year, and it certainly paid off especially when England were playing as Matt's is the only bar with UK TV in La Tranche.

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Another good ploy was selling a pint of Stella for 3 € from kick off to the first goal, it then reverting to its normal price - not daft, my son!

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As you can see the especially bought 55'' TV went down well in the corner of the terrace, plus two other TVs about the place.

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What amused us was how people were queueing at the bar - very British. We don't even see that back home!!

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Hope you spotted the St George's flag emblazened with Val Thorens, Matt's winter home. Now there's dual-nationality for you...