L'Ile Penotte

We have been to Les Sables so many times since our arrival in Vendée, but it's only just this summer that we took Cynthia's advice and searched out L'Île Penotte, hidden away between the main seafront and the harbour. There are narrow streets with many designs made entirely from shells.

Credit to Danielle Arnaud whose creations these are. More on this link: http://www.art-insolite.com/pageinsolites/insoaubin.htm

Visitors

Now we're back to the two of us again it's good to reflect on the fun times we had this summer with our many visitors. Some visitors you've already seen on the blog, so let's catch up with...

...Jodi & Mouse, who announced their engagement on their return to England!

Our youngest visitor was Matilda, here with dad Barney...

...and Tine who made a makeshift pool for her!

Visitors are great...

...but it's nice when there's just the two of you again!

Facebook friends will have seen this one: Matt trying to get in on the act!

Special celebration (3)

And into the evening with people spreading into the garden. Thankfully we'd warned the neighbours!

Tandoori Dave and Cockerney Dave

The birthday girl and your faithful blogger watching the cousins' performance 

Tine & Loulou trying to get a singalong going 

Nad, Si, Barney & Hollie (from r to l) - mmmm, whose hands are they?!!!

Me & my favourite French brother-in-law!

Sadly there is no photographic evidence of the conservatory transformed into a night club with DJ Rémi in the mix! What an unforgettable night...

A big thank you to Olivier, Vanna & Si and Philippe F for their photographs.

Special celebration (2)

All we needed now were guests, and sure enough they came in their droves. At first we were all a bit squashed with the new terrace only a project at the moment!

Friends from the Club de Langues bought this wonderful giant plant pot and also arrived in gardener mode!

Kir or punch?

Séb centre stage being introduced to the cousins!

Annie & Christian

Loulou guarding the beer fridge!

It's getting busy

Special celebration (1)

A couple of months after the real thing we celebrated Tine's big birthday by throwing a party with over 50 guests! What a fantastic time we had, but first of all the preparations!

Here we have the birthday girl herself ...

... inspecting a wonderfully laden table of delicious food!

Meanwhile Rémi is sorting out the music whilst Cynthia's preparing the meat platter ...

... and Norma and Vanna are going bunting & balloon mad in the garden!

Sylvie's on hand to help ...

... and we're about ready for the first guests!

Little do we know but at the same time the cousins are at J&M's, perfecting their performance for the evening!