Grandsons chez nous & last dip of 2014

Nadine & Philippe couldn't wait to meet their new nephew, and luckily the half term break came just at the right time!

That's one VERY happy Tata Nadine...

...and an equally happy Maman!

Alfie is just as camera-shy!

I can confidently say that 27th Ocober was the date of our last dip of 2014. What an amazing Indian Summer we've had!

One young man wasn't quite so sure...

...but here's the evidence!

Meanwhile Alfie & Tine watch on...

...and Papy enjoys a 'calin plage' (beach cuddle)!

It's all about the clouds

Now safely back in La Tranche I have a new obsession: photographing the sky. Well, you've been warned!

Looking over the bouchots (on which mussels are cultured) at La Grière

Note the huge crowds!

This photo was shared by the local tourist office on their site

Meanwhile it looks as though there's a volcano erupting inland!

A week later, but still wonderful skies

One of my favourites. You can almost feel the weight of these clouds.

Baildon Green walk

An Englishman in La Tranche purists will be happy to know that this is the final post (I always type last post then change it!) from our recent autumnal UK visit. Once again using one of the Baildon Local History Society guides (http://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/pdfs/Ferniehurst%20and%20Baildon%20Green%20Walk2.pdf) we visited Baildon Green, another new-to-us.

Wow, what great views over the mills at Saltaire!

Ferniehurst Farm, whose produce used to feed Edward Salt's estate

There is very little left of the Ferniehurst mansion...

..but in its former gardens there is now a sculpture trail...

...celebrating the armed forces.

You can read more here: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/NEWS/11279577.Sculpture_trail_celebrating_the_armed_forces_to_open_in_Baildon/

'A Mind's Eye' sculpture at the entrance, complete with 2p coins

Journey back from Whitby

After bidding a sad farewell to Jim & Les (who left for Hexham at the same time to become grandparents next day to little Eve) we set off on our journey back to Baildon. We couldn't resist stopping a couple of times on the way.

First stop: Goathland where the TV series Heartbeat was filmed

We joined many trainspotters and saw two steam trains puffing by

Next stop: Pickering Castle...

...and a walk around the walls

Perhaps we'll visit next time!

And look what else we saw. You'd think Hallowe'en was round the corner! Mind you our pumpkins were a real success this year too.

Robin Hood's Bay

Back in the car but this time south of Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay, another favourite haunt.

I'd never seen the tide so far in so we had to clamber down to the beach

We saw one group of hikers at the end of Wainright's coast to coast walk...

...nicely indicated on this Wikipedia map.

At the south end of the beach...

...the erosion is very evident. Metres of land are lost every year on this stretch of coast. 

A very pensive Tine...or is she just thinking?

Look what we spotted so close to the shore!

This one didn't seem to move much though

Memories of a special weekend in 2003: we stayed here before being very surprised witnesses at Ian & Jill's wedding...

...and partaking in several beverages here!