Pool time

We had such a hot summer that a daily swim was practically essential!

Betty posing in Sacha's pool

Mehdi & Selim join AlfnBets in our pool...

...and the three youngsters practise sky-diving!

Élodie with Selim & Betty

Betty in a calm moment.

After all this activity it's time to relax and watch a film.

Food, glorious food

Twelve year old Alfie's always ready to eat and here's the proof!

It could be a salad lunch chez nous...

...or mussels chez Fafa...

...with a tasty caramel dessert.

Of course there's always time for a snack: chi chi on the town square...

...or a waffle at Côté Plage...

...followed by a drink with Maman.

Back home it's not a big catch of shrimps but they still go down well!

Philippe comes to visit too

We were lucky that Philippe decided last minute to fly over for a few days, overlapping with Nadine & co.

Here joined by niece Caroline with partner Jo

Cleggies United? Matt, Phil & Sacha on the beach at La Terrière

Of course we had to introduce Philippe to le Benèze, the bar just round the corner from our house.

Phil & Alfie setting off on a cycling adventure.

Philippe, Nadine & Matthieu at l'Embarcadère, our other favourite bar, this one on the beach.

Now joined by Betty and Caroline.

He's not in the photo but Philippe took this one of les z'amis, picnicking on the beach one evening.

They're back!

Yes, it was once again time for Alfie & Betty to spend their summer here, along with Nadine of course.

This time they had a holiday within a holiday flying off to Spain for a week, joined by Simon who sadly couldn't make it to La Tranche this year.

A very excited pair in the plane at Stansted.

On arrival Matt was very happy to torture (tickle?) his niece...

...and it wasn't long until they were in the pool, along with Sacha.

Another day Sacha & Alfie show off their England football kits.

Happy photos chez nous...

...in town...

...and on the jetty.

New gym and celebrations before the arrival of AlfnBets

Just around the corner from chez nous

The town's new gym (or Fitness Centre)

We went with Mehdi & Élodie on the open day...

...and I was persuaded to sign up for 12 months.

I'm not sure it's my 'cuppa' but I've got to make the effort now.

Meanwhile le Camping Base d'aunts celebrated its 60th anniversary this summer with apéritifs every couple of weeks. Of course I had to force myself to go!

I didn't force myself to have a cheeky pint with Matt at the Aloha Wake Park, coincidentally just around the corner from chez nous too 😂.

And here they are, AlnBets all ready for their new schools in September (and counting the days to visit us)!

Big sis comes to visit

My elder sister Ann came to see us for the third time in July. She's already talking about 2026!

Siblings down by le Pavillon.

Ann at the beautiful port of La Rochelle.

I'm sure it's no coincidence but she often comes when the town offers its Bastille Day firework celebrations...

...as stunning as ever.

Sometimes nature has its own display: the moon over La Rochelle round the bay. 

While the cat's away...

...the mouse will play!

Tine went to stay chez Nadine & co for a week. Here Phil & Jade have joined them for a bite to eat.

Nadine & Tine drove over to see old friends Pauline & David. As a special bonus daughter Nicola was there too with her family. Nadine & Nicola hadn't seen each other for many years and you can see how happy they were to meet up again.

Meanwhile back in La Tranche young Selim's enjoying the carousel...

...whilst Papy Dave (as he calls me) is having fun with his young mates at the bar opposite. Meet Jules, Tristan & Harry.

There's always time for a beer at le Benèze.

I don't know who's being dafter...

...Selim or Matthieu!