Chez Guy & Isabelle and a stroll at St Vincent-sur-Jard

It's always good to be asked round for a meal. Little did we know it would be our last invitation for a while!

We were invited round to eat at Guy & Isabelle's (before the lockdown, of course)...

...and were treated to fabulous food as always.

We also enjoyed great company: Guy & Tine...

...Tine & Nick...

...and your faithful blogger with Sue.

I'd just had my second cataract operation the day before, hence the no glasses!

A few days later and it's back to walking on the beach, spotting migrating geese flying overhead

Further up the coast at St Vincent sur Jard the birds are congregating...

...but ready to fly off at the drop of a hat.

To finish: a pair of surfers chancing their luck

Late beach walks

I've never been a fan of the winter months but the light is especially good just before sunset (if it's not raining).

There was an angry but quite magical sky at La Belle Henriette one early evening

Next day there's a less threatening sky over La Plage des Génerelles

A couple of days later (and earlier in the day), a lone kite-surfer at La Grière

All this walking deserves a reward with a drink at the Starfish. Now how many olives should a G&T have?

Wild windy weather

The weather this winter was very wild, with much rain and lots of wind. Thankfully the replaced roof did its job and our home was snug and safe.

It didn't stop us going out though...

...suitably dressed Tine...

... and your faithful post-cataract blogger (hence no specs)!

A couple of days later we went to investigate the damage

I know Tine's not very tall, but that's a mighty drop in the beach...

...with fences down...

...and much the same story along the beach.

Thankfully the council workers were on hand to repair the damage.

On a more cheerful note: our beautiful lighthouse, still shining through the night.

New roof

It took us 12 months to save up for but we finally had our roof replaced earlier this year. It's a good job too, as we stayed nice & dry in the major storm we had last weekend (9th/10th May)!

Two days before they started we had delivery of the new tiles and a big skip (and just look at that rain)!

Thankfully it was dry and mostly sunny for the big day...

...when they stripped the old tiles...

...and laid the battens over a new membrane.

Next day they worked solidly laying the new tiles in light rain

By the end of the day, job nearly done...

...just a bit of finishing off to do.

Excuse the walls: we've had such a wet winter but with recent sun & warmth, and a blast or two of our water pressure washer, the house is definitely looking tidier again.

Lockdown update

I've had a couple of emails recently asking how things are over here in France since 'le confinement' which started on 17th March at midday, just two days before returning from our 3-night trip to England. Well, we're still here. Luckily the weather has been good so we've been able to be outside much of the time (the garden's never looked so ready for summer produce).

The French lockdown has been very strict, permission to leave the house for a few specific reasons. Here's a copy of the form...

...and Martine filling in hers! Luckily the paper copy was changed to an electronic one later on.

As Tine didn't want me to take any chances with my asthma she has insisted on doing all the shopping (I'm not complaining!) so for me it has been one hour's walk a day all within 1 km of our house. 

With the sea on one side and marshland on the other it doesn't give much option than to walk similar routes.

I'm still managing my 10,000 steps each day though - just!

To make matters worse all the beaches are closed...

...even walking along the front by Le Rêve.

We could play 'Where's Wally on the Beach'!

The market has reopened with just essential food stalls, one person from each family and a one-way system.

Poor Sacha's skate-park is closed...

...but he sometimes comes to see us, caring for the old and vulnerable.

He looks very unhappy, doesn't he?

He was proud to show off his handwriting skills.

We've got his rainbow on display, to say merci to all those working so hard to keep us safe, fed and watered.

Meanwhile Tine & I have enjoyed a few games of Mölkky...

...Matt's been refreshing the Starfish...

...and we've made time for virtual apéritifs with friends and family.

It's a hard life in lockdown

And what of the future? Here's the latest map of of France showing red and green regions. A quote from a website I follow, 'In green departments, the virus is no longer actively circulating. Hospitals have capacity in intensive care, and there are enough Covid-19 tests for people who need them. In red departments, the virus is still actively present. The number of people being admitted to hospital and intensive care - within the last seven days - is still putting the health system under pressure when compared to normal times. These departments may also have a lack of tests.'

We're just over the bay to the North-East of La Rochelle and looking forward to an easing of the lockdown from Monday when more shops will be opening and primary schools returning (half classes at a time) but still no restaurants or bars. Several restaurants are doing takeaway service as I've seen in the UK.