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!

Low tide, Surfer Sach & Les Sables

My daily walks often take me to the beach at La Grière.

There was a low tide this day...

...can you spot the mussel farms out at sea?

Matt sent these photos...

...Sach with attitude after his surfing lesson.

I have to be honest when I say Les Sables d'Olonne is not my favourite place, mainly because of the horrendous concrete apartment blocks on the seafront.

However look behind and you have the working port...

...and they've even made these silos look more attractive.

Back home

It's always good to get back home, this time for the summer, I promise!

We were late opening the pool this year but we put it to good use all summer. Here are Selim & Élodie..

...and another day, Tine with Selim.

We celebrated Tine's birthday a couple of days early. Left to right, Cécile, Rémy, Arnaud, Sylvie, Tine, moi, Jennifer, Loulou & Monique outside where we used to holiday when our children were young.

On Tine's birthday itself we were treated to the evening show at le Puy du Fou. Just look at the crowds!

Photos aren't allowed during the show but these give a good impression of the backdrop to the event after dusk.

Pinched from online, just look at this line-up!

Finally we had some very special visitors this year, not one but two families of three chicks. Look carefully and you can see Maman feeding her open-mouthed babies.

The Hassan II Mosque

We saved our visit to the 14th largest mosque in the world until our last day. It was well worth the wait.

The approach to the mosque along the waterfront.

The huge forecourt which can accommodate 80 000 worshippers, 25 000 inside.

It was a hot day and we were very thankful for the covered walkway.

The building is truly vast

You might recognise these two, awaiting their time slot.

Once inside your breath is taken away by the mosque's dimensions.

Looking over the sea.

We were led down very dramatic stairs...

...to the area where the worshippers perform their ritual ablutions.

Back up the stairs and back to blue skies.

And that's it for Morocco. Big thanks to Mehdi, Élodie and all their family over there. Plus of course the everyday Moroccans who welcomed us everywhere.

Back to Casablanca

We were nearing the end of our stay in Morocco and it felt good to stay locally for a couple of days.

This is the view from the waterfront just a few minutes from Najia's home: the Hassan II mosque (more next time).

There's always time to play on the swings...

...the seesaw...

...or even just relax!

Back at Najia's, Selim and your faithful blogger having a bit of bonding time 😂

Back to the waterfront...

...it's strange to think this is the Atlantic Ocean, just like La Tranche.

Walking along, I liked the way they 'disguised' communication towers as palm trees!

Time to turn back at the El Hank lighthouse, 51m high.