Crook Farm & Saltaire Festival

Back in our Yorkshire château and look at that welcoming sky...

...and the resident peacocks were pleased to see us too...

...even parading on the roof!

Down in Saltaire we enjoyed a very busy Saltaire Festival...

...again blessed with good weather right into the evening.

Betty certainly enjoyed herself

Another day, a cheeky pint in our local, the Old Glen, Tine having a coffee

Up at the caravan, new sheets for the bunk-beds. The grandchildren will love them!

Another trip back to the UK

Five months since our last visit, off we go again but this time with a holiday within a holiday.

It's always good to stretch our legs and visit a few places near to Saint Malo before queuing up for the overnight ferry.

Le Fort du Guesclin dating back to 1758, an island at high tide but accessible on foot at low tide. The guard dogs are rather offputting though!

A lovely deserted beach at Saint Coulomb...

...deserted except for this jellyfish!

On board: au revoir La France

Night night

We had a stop at Dronfield to catch up with Betty & Alfie

Betty was very happy to show us her house...

...and the train in Alfie's school playground...

...before walking back home to wait for Maman & Papa.

Waves at La Terrière & sunset at home

I love out-of-season days when it's gorgeous weather and there are few people about. We drove to La Terrière, a popular beach for surfers, and we were rewarded with fantastic waves.

I know they're getting repetitive but the power in these waves is so impressive...

...and the surfers were having a ball!

The sun starts to go down...

...but Tine's here to catch the last rays.

Sunset chez nous can be just as impressive...

...especially with an apéritif to accompany it!

I trust you noticed the winter pool cover is on. Roll on next March/April.

People & places

Sitting here on a chilly November morning it seems ages since warmer days when really it's just a matter of weeks.

Idle Fingers in concert at the Starfish to celebrate the end of another summer season. We love this band! 

Tine & Shan having a coffee and a chin-wag at La Villa until interrupted by your faithful blogger

Cousinade at Jean & Monique's...

...Jean-Pierre checking Jean carves the côte du boeuf correctly!

Apéro time with La Tranche friends Guy, Yves, Isabelle & Marys. Just look at that sky!

Papy & Sacha time on the beach by Marie's Cabane

There are still a few people about but Sacha's too busy to notice

La Tranche skyline from the jetty

Bingley friends the Waltons (John, Emily & Sarah) along with the Brothers Clegg

Starfish time for Sarah et moi

John & Emily enjoying one of Tine's famed lunches

All good things must come to an end. See you in Bingley some time!

Matt, Cynthia & Sacha's new house

They waited more than two years for all the paperwork to be finalised, but at last MCS now have their new home.

There are so many trees & bushes in the front garden you can't get the entire front in one shot!

After many trips from their apartment and the lock-up...

...there's plenty of sorting out to be done.

15th August: moving-in day

First job, erect the trampoline of course!

September means the end of season at the Slice and the Starfish, and Matt & Cynthia invited their staff & partners round for a bubbly apéritif...

...but first a tour of the house...

...and garden (aka jungle)!

Time to relax with a glass or two...

...before some energetic souls try out the trampoline!