Wednesday 6 November 2024

Le Gacilly

Major road works delayed our arrival at the first destination, Le Gacilly, but it was well worth it.

Think of a very floral Haworth or Hebden Bridge...

...and you've got Le Gacilly.

Some houses go to a lot of effort with their decorations...

...whilst one celebrates the original home of Yves Rocher.

Like Haworth there's a steam-punk element to the town too...

...with some fantastic creations.

The last L'Aff? (Well the river's name amused me!)

Next morning we walked above the town to Cournon

The sun peeping through the woodlands.

Beautiful sweet chestnut.

At the top of the hill a beautiful bronze statue, representing plants' rebirth from deforestation.

Saturday 2 November 2024

Brittany with les z'amis

We were invited to join La Tranche friends Guy & Isabelle and Maryse & Yves for a few days in Brittany. Of course we jumped at the chance.

All packed into one car off we set, first stop Redon.

Boats are a big thing in the town which lies the between the Oust and Vilaine rivers...

...the Nantes-Brest canal running through its centre.

We were lucky to see a boat going through the locks, a reminder of our previous life by the Five Rise Locks in Bingley.

The steeple of l'Abbaye de Saint-Sauveur watches over the medieval town...

...with its many half-timbered houses.


An impressive row of houses.

Tine & Maryse going all Bretonne!

'Scènes du temps passé', graffiti from 1982 representing three old ladies in silk headdresses.

In 2020 the original artist brought his work up-to-date.

Back to the Nantes-Brest canal...


...and a picnic before returning to the car.

Tuesday 29 October 2024

Life goes on (I'm sure I've used that title before)!

Nadine & co left rather earlier this year as they had fun times arranged down in Hastings (Si's home town) for the last part of August.

The fun continued in the Starfish though with these summer regulars...

...and a brace of Daves, Big Dave et moi.

Meet Elias & César, Matt's two barmen this year who've helped everything go smoothly, along with Laura of course. These two are as cheeky as they look!

A few odds & end (I know you love them really)

I wasn't sure if I lived in La Tranche or Amsterdam some days this summer.

A very patriotic trio of vehicles outside our house in August.

To celebrate our 17th anniversary of living here, a couple of photos...

...including the new sheltered wood store at the side of the house. We've plenty left from last winter but another order should arrive in November.

Friday 25 October 2024

Starfish times

We spend many happy hours in the Starfish & Coffee and it's an equally popular destination for our visitors.

Sacha & Alfie are obviously concentrating on a football match whilst Betty is happy to pose.

Betty & Nadine enjoying an icecream cornet...

...whilst Alfie & Nadine change their look daily!


Alfie playing darts with great uncle Loulou, and it looks like it's after dark too. Tut tut!

Alfie posing in MY flat cap...

...like a much younger Sacha did in 2019.

And that marks the end of Nadine, Simon, Alfie & Betty's holiday for summer 2024. See you back in the UK in October!

Monday 21 October 2024

Out & about with AlfnBets

One thing with AlfnBets, they're always ready to be out & about

Of course Alf's hair has to perfect, a labour intensive and painful experience!


Betty was proud to show the new gap in her teeth. In France it's le petit souris (the little mouse) who brings a bit of money for the kids.

Poor Mamie's trying to relax. Betty's thinking otherwise.

Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, as we say in the UK (on leurs donnerais le bon dieu sans confession, in French). AlfnBets round the corner from chez nous. 

It might be raining but there's always time for a chi-chi (churro)

Betty showing off her summer braid

And finally Bets on the carousel. The boys are too cool for it these days!

Thursday 17 October 2024

The holiday continues

Another random set of photos

Alfie's growing fast. Will he overtake Mamie next year?

Some days a siesta is essential: Nadine & Tine snoozing in the shade of the albezia tree.

Nadine & Simon's friends came to stay in the area again, spending a couple of afternoons chez nous.

One day they came armed with parcels...

...all Amazon returns at a pop-up shop.

Look what Tine got 🤣!

Hidden away in the forest near the town is the Plaine de Jeux du Fond du Mourat

Betty enjoying climbing the spider's web...

...whilst Alfie & Sacha are obviously discussing survival skills!