A few days with Phil (1)

Philippe decided to come back with us from the UK, just for a few days, and it was lovely to spend a bit more time with him. As usual his camera was to the ready as you will see in this selection.

On the Sunday there was La Tranche's first triathlon, a great success with over 1000 participants and a good crowd to cheer them on. Phil was in his element, photographing away, and it was difficult to decide which ones to show here.

Scoop

Enough of this galavanting: what's going on in La Tranche, you might be asking! Well apart from enjoying a vast improvement in the weather I had a telephone scoop just a short while ago. Keep reading to see what!

Is it the jetty? Well, all the piles are now in place but very little activity

Is it the Le Relais Fleuri being demolished on 22nd May (your faithful blogger, camera to the ready)?

Four days later the new car park is in use!

No, you were correct first time. My very reliable source told me that the rest of the jetty is in a secret location, just by the football stadium (oops, no longer a secret)!

Thanks to Matt for the scoop and Tine for the phone call (& me for cycling round there tout de suite)!

A few days in the UK (4)

More from our lovely visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, this time with a creature theme!

Well, it wouldn't be Yorkshire without a sheep, would it?

But Highland cattle might be a little far from home!

A proud Mother Goose with her goslings

A strange but fascinating sculpture, incorporating unexpected objects ...

... and attracting cheeky smiles!

Some sexy rabbit!!

A few days in the UK (3)

Practically half way between Kirkheaton and Sheffield lies the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. a fantastic venue with special exhibitions (the sculptures and paintings of Joan Miró were on view whilst we were there) and permanent creations beautifully situated in lush, green Yorkshire surroundings. Highly recommended for a stroll, even if you are not artistically minded!

Tine climbing a traditional Yorkshire stile

The grounds are set around a lake with wonderful reflections ...

... and stepping stones, guarded by geese!

Antony Gormley's 'One & Another', perched on a tree trunk, looks over the lake

Someone's come between Tine and Jim!

Les & Tine sheltering in this resin translucent construction, despite it not raining!

Magdalena Abakanowicz's 'Ten Seated Figures', but we could only count nine!

A few days in the UK (2)

Or should this post be titled 'You'll always find me in the kitchen at parties"?

We spent a couple of days at Jim & Les's getting to know their new home (a bungalow like us - we're getting old)! There were fourteen of us for Sunday lunch and Les put on a fantastic spread.

 Luckily the weather was great allowing us to have a garden party!

Our newly weds and camera shy (and pregnant!) Anna

Three beer buddies & Edith's Mum! 

Jim's new chiminea that we didn't need!

A few days in the UK (1)

We decided that a few days back in the UK would be just the job, leaving the house at 7.30 am and eating lunch chez Nadine & Simon. Fantastic!

In the afternoon we went for a lovely walk, discovering just how green Sheffield is. The more we visit the more we appreciate the city.

Little niches on each side of this bridge

Mushrooms, anyone?

A beautiful mandarin duck 

Not far from Philippe's

Mouille Pieds (5)

It was just six days since our previous visit to Wet Feet and once again there were some great developments, even though three of the squad left to return to the UK.

The door to the snug 

Think of the hours of fun ahead, washing up here ...

... and cooking!

The master bedroom has come on a treat ... 

... with its en-suite bathroom

... and beautiful beamed ceiling

The guest bathroom is also taking shape

Some of the walls have been stripped to the stone. Here a doorway from the past with old bricks

A catch-up from the back

The rescued painting from above the stairs - now where will it go?

Liam was busy sanding the shutters ...

... and the main doorway has had a lick of blue paint.