A very belated birthday & pool time chez nous

Brother-in-law Loulou had a big birthday a couple of years ago and Tine selected some great photos from over the years. Our friend Hugues created a collage, later printed on aluminium, and it looks great!

Loulou at Jean & Monique's...

...and an action shot pointing out memories.

Sylvie also opened their gift of champagne, courtesy of 'Er from Brittany (and us)!

There's even a montage made by Monique! Loulou & Sylvie's friends Isa & Gilou accompanied them this time. Don't ask what they were looking at & laughing about at the end!

The weather's been great this early summer and although the pool was opened a little later than usual it's been put to good use.

Sacha's been coming round fairly often after school for a cool-off

I'm sure you can create your own caption for this one: Sacha, Cynthia & Tine in full 'action'

Even your faithful blogger's been getting in on the action. The physio says gentle exercise in water will do my knee good, and who am I to argue?

New knee!

As earlier posts have shown, I’ve been struggling with my left knee for the last 12 months. After three ‘infiltrations’ it was decided that the next step (😉) was a half-knee replacement. That brings us to 10th May 2023 with an early rise to be at the hospital for 7am.

Not sure if this is my just had an op outfit or a Strictly Come Dancing one!

Nicely Veeted around the knee zone, this is what I came round to!

Official photographer (Tine) on her visit a few hours after the op

Sexy look of my surgical stockings which I had to wear in the daytime for 31 days!

Back home and the healing process is in full throttle

I can even walk! (I now do without crutches around the house, and just one when out-and-about)

Twice weekly physio looking like a torture chamber

That's better, at home on my new lounger, rosé not far away

Star Wars or crutches at dawn? Cousin Jean had his hip replacement two weeks after my procedure.

Proof of my inner knee workings. Hopefully that's not the Soviet flag there!

I was so well looked after at the Clinique Saint Charles in La Roche sur Yon but was back home after only 36 hours which is a little bit fast in my opinion. However the team is only a phone call away and the support has been excellent. My surgeon saw me for a check-up the other day and was very happy with his work! It's going to be a long recovery though...

Donnant & Port Skeul

A last post from Belle Île. Yes I know I've said it before but it really IS a Beautiful Island and we'll be back.

Despite fairly calm weather there were still big rollers coming in at Donnant.

A little more sheltered...

...shall we try to get down to Port Skeul?

No, let's go the long way round for the more handicapped!

It was worth it though...

...even the seaweed looked good!

La Plage de Port Maria

Another walk, another beach

There's no evidence of there ever being a port here...

...but it is still a beautiful spot.

Your faithful blogger & Jean-Pierre surveying the scene...

...whilst Jean gets a bit closer.

Monique's turn to be camera-shy

JP, Tine & Jean with a rocky background...

...or the sea? Your choice.

Le Skeul

The happy band of cousins (+ 'Er) continued their walks, this time to Le Skeul.

Wherever you look there are dramatic scenes...

...but a fairly calm sea.

One person's at work...

...whilst another is hiding from the camera!

Got 'Er here though (Jean, Jean-Pierre, Catherine, 'Er, your faithful blogger & Tine), Monique taking the photo...

...and about to fly here!

A few weeks later number one and number three were under the surgeon's knife: one for a new knee, the other for a new hip!

The thrift flowers were magnificent.

OK, one last shot of the sea!

Sauzon

Tine was up with the lark on our first morning. Mission, croissant hunting!

It was a bit of a grey day...

...but the church opposite the baker's was very inviting...

...with its traditional boat in the nave.

The little jetty...

...where fishermen unload their catches.

Further round the harbour the new ferry was just arriving

The walk up the slope was worthwhile...

...for the view back over the harbour.

Next day, lunch out for a treat...

...and better weather for the walk afterwards.

The banks of clouds on the mainland look a bit ominous though.