Sunset on La Grière beach

This week the weather seems to have realised that it is November after all with several dull, foggy and much cooler days and colder nights. Before this change I cycled out to La Grière to take these photographs just before sunset, with practically no-one else about. Hope you like them.

For those of you who know how sporty I am, I've actually been jogging along this beach at least three times a week since our return from Madeira. We worked out that the total circuit is about 5 km - not bad for an old relic!

Out & about

I trust you're all keeping up to date with www.4gotomadeira.blogspot.com otherwise I'm wasting my time, aren't I? Meanwhile back in La Tranche life goes on as normal...

An artist's impression of the new town square which should be ready for May 2012

It looks as though the sand is disappearing again on La Terrière beach, near the Hotel des Dunes

We tried this new dune top footpath above La Terrière beach 

One day we motored to St Michel en l'Herme to explore but we weren't particularly impressed, except for this flowerpot man (that takes me back!) on a roundabout, 

the fabulous old post office building

and, surprisingly, a banana plant which obviously knows we are now world experts on the subject!

Back home for Tine to have a chutney making session - excellent!

High tides

Just to remind myself that this blog is entitled 'An Englishman in La Tranche' here we have an Englishman in La Tranche enjoying a pretty big tide on our return from Madeira. As you can see the waves were pounding against the new wooden promenade between l'Equipage and le Pavillon, so much so that hours later part of it collapsed and no-go barriers went up.

Onto the beach on the other side of le Pavillon 

Then back home to a lovely warming log fire

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If you enjoyed the other day's taster for our recent holiday in Madeira please join me on www.4gotomadeira.blogspot.com and let me know what you think of the format.

4 go to Madeira (1)

As Nadine & Simon woke up to go to work on the Monday morning after the wedding we were jetting south to Madeira with golden oldie friends, Jim & Les. (Don't worry N&S had a fantastic honeymoon the following week in Dahab on the Red Sea.)

This first batch of photos was taken with my iTouch and not as clear as they might be - many better quality ones to come!

We stayed in Funchal on the south coast

Arriving over the far eastern tip of the island - that's a hillside of solar panels in the centre of the photo

The port at Caniçal

The runway on stilts!

The girls settle in by the pool, guide books to the ready!

We walked into Funchal to explore, and later ate on the Vagrant, a permanently moored yacht once owned by the Beatles

Jim and his puds are world-renowned - Les was allowed a spoonful or two!

Nadine & Simon's wedding (8): Photo credits

A big thank you to my photo providers who took some amazing shots, more of which can be found if you follow the links.

Loulou & Sylvie
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150354776692655.358224.766207654&type=3

Philippe
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150879985660581.744223.743365580&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150880864840581.744367.743365580&type=1

Vics & Ste
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150874232650637.751504.718845636&type=3

Les & Jim

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150339576212655.354980.766207654&type=1

Right, who's next?!

Nadine & Simon's wedding (7)

Content alert: not for the sensitive. The end of the evening gets messy!

A magic moment when Matt released the balloon cage

Phil & Jodi

Jodi & Loulou (rarely seen on the dancefloor)

Another very rare event: Nad & Matt have a dance!

Love this! Phil with Sylvie & Cynthia

One of Loulou's arty shots

The brothers-in-law throw some shapes!

Brother-in-lawly love?

Now what were we singing?

I told you it got messy! Your fathful blogger with Raye & George

Nadine & Simon's wedding (6)

Before we knew it the evening do was upon us with many more guests arriving and everybody there to celebrate and have a good time!

The first dance: would you believe 'I want to be like you' from Jungle Book? Awesome! Hot news: video here on https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150354027756673&set=vb.528981672&type=2&theater

And the hens danced on

and on

and on

and on!

Philippe organised a great band for the evening

including the groom as guest bassist

and beautiful vocals from Alice.

Meanwhile friends and family caught up!