L'Embarcadère

Yes, our go-to bar this summer has been l'Embarcadère aptly named as it is just by the jetty. I think I should have shares in the bar when you see the number of people we took there!

Your faithful blogger along with Richard & Vicky who have a 2nd home inland from La Tranche, Tine and Alan from the Baie d'Aunis.

Élodie, Dick, moi, June, Jeanne & Mehdi

Matt's mates from teenage years, Rémi & Geraldine joining Tine & moi (and the best news is that Geraldine starts a new job in La Roche this March and they plan to move here permanently).

Sacha & Matt join me & Richard from Camping Bel, another old Starfish regular.

La Tranche meets Yorkshire meets Essex: Ripon Graham with Stansted Simon

More of Simon & moi...

...and Vanna & moi.

Nadine getting in on the act...

...Alfie, Sacha & Betty too!

It's a sad day when the bar closes up for the winter. See you next year though!

Bonne Année/Happy New Year

Now back in La Tranche but both of us recovering from a chest infection/flu/the lurg (you choose) we were invited by our Essex friends to celebrate New Year's Eve with them.

An impressive table awaited us...

...and we soon got into the party spirit...

...Tine & Vanna leading the way.

Secret Santa time...

...a joke book for Big Dave, and a Corrie mug for me!

We enjoyed playing 'Cards vs Gravity'...

...some more successful than others.

And finally, Happy New Year from Tine et moi!

Belated Christmas greetings

Sorry folks, we’ve been back in the UK for Christmas this year. It’s been a bit hectic and we’ve both been stricken with the dreaded flu. Hopefully we’ll be fit for New Year.

 Here are a couple of photos from La Tranche before we left. Firstly on the town square…

…then Sacha’s old school by le Pavillon. 

We did the usual crossing from Saint Malo to get to England, but we made time to wander in the old town.

Safely on board we headed for the bar (of course), nicely decorated for the festive season.

We spent a few days in Sheffield on arrival ‘oop’ north. Here’s a shot in Sheffield.

Our three children treated us to lunch on the canal as part of our 50th wedding anniversary. It was great (possibly because we were practically the youngest) plus we booked the Christmas special!

Back at Nadine’s for Christmas itself and a wreath-making workshop with Bets & Nadine.

Christmas morning in Dronfield and Father Christmas must have struggled with all these presents.

Nadine did us proud for the traditional lunch, Phil & Jade joining us too.

I hope my faithful readers all had an excellent Christmas!

New developments

No wonder we've no money left: all these holidays and changes at the house.

New fencing on the front of the house. It gets more like Fort Knox every day!

But there's work afoot within those fences...

...the removal of roots from invasive plants.

Matthieu's been busy..

...and rightly proud of his efforts!

Alfie & Betty were more than happy to play there...

...even lounge for a while.

Nadine and (hiding Tine) seem to be enjoying it too.

All set for a bit of shade pour moi.

Next year look out for a new breakfast table & chairs!

Young friends & garden produce

Since getting to know Mehdi & Élodie we have got to know many of their friends, and we love 'em!

Curry lunch chez nous with Tristan (enjoying Tine's naan bread)!

Papy Dave's curry. Renowned!

Benèze time with Alex ('Choke': don't ask!), Diego, Élodie & Mehdi

On our decking, Diego, Mehdi, Élodie & moi...

...and your favourite La Tranche couple.

We had an excellent year for certain produce in the garden.

Green beans were plentiful and much appreciated.

Plus we had success with cucumbers...

...as Betty would agree!

The tomatoes never stopped coming, right through until November.

874g of pure taste!

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.