Big tide at La Terrière and back to school

It's now the end of August and we're briefly just the two of us at home. It's the time of year when we get big tides so a visit up the coast was in order.

The sea was pretty rough.

As we approached the main swimming area...

...the crowds got busier.

I wouldn't fancy the lifeguards' jobs!

Meanwhile it's back to school for Alfie, Sacha & Betty

Alfie showing off his new haircut...

 

...Sacha waiting for the school bus...

 

...and AlfnBets in their new uniforms. 

Junior cousinade

It was great to have a family get-together at Monique's house mid-August, with just Monique, Tine & moi from our generation!

I won't label everyone but you can see there was a good turnout.

The junior table

Rémy & Jennifer popped in to say hi after a hard day's work at the campsite. Here with Manu & Laurence.

Charles & Mathilde's son Jules with Betty.

Your Faithful Blogger with the Hills 3.

That's Mathilde in orange...

...& Charles chatting to Matt. Mathilda & Charles got married a few weeks later, sadly we were double-booked as you will see in a future post.

Our hostess Monique, often missing in photos but present in this and the one above!

As you can see we had fun into the night with a few shushes from Monique so that we didn't disturb the campers.

Heatwave, fireworks & le Puy du Fou

Another mixed bag for your delight.

We had an amazingly hot summer...

...but nothing a glass of Pastis in the pool can't help! 

15th August means the second firework display of the summer, this time celebrating the Assumption

It was well up to standard, as you can see!

Now what has got Alfie & Betty so transfixed?

We bought tickets for le Puy du Fou as a Christmas 2024 present.

The bird display is breathtakingly amazing!

My favourite is still the Vikings though.

Back in La Tranche, Betty shows off her cycling skills...

...and a cheeky sit in the cockpit of one of the planes at our local aerodrome. The owner was more than happy!

Snow special!

Apart from a few flakes we don't often experience snow in La Tranche so I thought I'd share a few photos from today, 6th January 2026.

Your faithful Englishman in La Tranche got up at 3 am to check if it had snowed. It had!

A few hours later, it's time to explore: first, in the garden...

...then up to the jetty with a view back over the town.

By Marie's bar.

The cycle-path back home

Nearly there but a look back to Le Benèze bar...

...and forward...

...to chez nous.

The new patio doesn't look quite so inviting.

Ice in your drinks?

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!