Low tide after high seas

We haven't been as badly affected by recent storms as other areas of France and the UK but we've certainly seem some good waves and FAR too much rain.

I wasn't very lucky getting shots of waves going over the jetty

Regulars will see how big the tide was!

You don't often see waves like these on the main beach, eating into the sand.

The next day, and what a difference in the weather,

the tide just turning at the end of the embarcadère.

These shots are of the main beach (la plage centrale) where a fair amount of sand has gone

Elsewhere the La Tranche beaches are looking pretty healthy, so hopefully no worries for this summer!

Le Puit d'Enfer

No apologies for yet another visit to Le Puit d'Enfers, a favourite destination when there are big waves to be seen, but great this time to be accompanied by young Philippe!

That's Les Sables d'Olonne on the horizon

La Belle Henriette

Another good day, another stroll, this time in the marshes at La Belle Henriette, just south of here.

Some of the bridges were a bit rickety...

...but thankfully intrepid Tine was leading the way!

La Belle Henriette is a nature reserve but there weren't many birds about

A couple of reflection shots

On the way back we stopped at the beach at Sainte Anne. Bet you can't guess what Tine is watching.

Too easy, eh?!

Saint Vincent sur Jard

At this time of year we try to make the most of any bit of sunshine, so the other weekend we drove up to Saint Vincent sur Jard for a very welcome stroll along the beach in the pleasant warmth. This was before recent storms so hopefully the beach hasn't been affected too much.

There must be some delicacy in the water that always attracts lots of birds to this beach

We had the beach pretty much to ourselves...

...apart from this winter-loving butterfly...

...and former French prime minister Georges Clemenceau, looking out over us from his Vendée residence

Dolmen hunting

So back in Vendée, what to do on a fair-weather day after lots of rain? Long-time readers will know we have a strange love of old rocks, better known as dolmens or menhirs, and we found a couple we hadn't seen before, just outside the village of Le Bernard.

The first three shots are of two of the three Dolmens de Savatole - note to self: must find the third!

Not far away is the Dolmen de Frébouchère, as you can see, a very impressive affair!

I found this website with further details (and in English too): http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=6333911

Graves Park Zoo

The final blog from our recent UK exploits, now far in the past! Nadine & Simon introduced us to Graves Park Zoo, just a short car journey from where they live and no doubt a future popular destination for young Alfie.

Not to be outdone, here's a photo taken today at Les Floralies in La Tranche, Alfie blissfully unaware that there are some very interested goats behind him!