Family catch-up, springtime in the garden, and another low tide

Loulou, Sylvie and family were up in La Tranche for the family.

Niece Caro with her partner Jo making the most of being by the sea!

Sylvie, Tine & Nadine with your faithful blogger

Now joined by Alfie, Caro, Matt, Jo & Loulou. Simon & Betty must have been playing table football.

Meanwhile chez nous springtime colours abound: forsythia…

…wisteria…

…cyclamen…

…and apple blossom!

As my knee improves so I get to walk along the beach more. 

The view back to town from La Grière…

…where the ‘écluse à poissons’ was uncovered.

Ignore the wobbly horizon but appreciate the mussel ‘bouchots’ creating next summer’s local favourite.

Back to our beach and I spotted the first boat being put out to its summer mooring.

Beach damage

We were away last time there was a very high tide but the tail-end was still impressive…

…as can be seen at the jetty.

First walk on the beach in a while and it’s clear that the sea has been busy reclaiming sand…

…as can be seen behind the ‘protective’ rocks.

The dune path has been out of bounds since our return too

Council workers have been extremely busy…

…putting up new fencing.

But further big tides have once more eaten into the dunes…

…perfect for Alfie & Betty to do a bit of scrambling…

…but not so good for the new fencing.

Constructions

 As the new season approaches there are a few changes about.

I love our house but this new-build definitely gives me house-envy!

Alongside the town swimming pool they’ve started construction on the new gymnasium, not due to be finished until 2025…

…but we can keep a beady eye on it from our garden!

The construction on the Mogettes roundabout has definitely taken shape. The plan is two commercial units below (one an estate agent) and two apartments above.

It’s hard to believe this will be Marie’s bar for the summer…

…and the temporary buildings are going up on the approach to the jetty.

Le Fort de Socoa

To finish our recent visit to the Basque Country our hosts drove us to Ciboure, the neighbouring town to St Jean de Luz.

Our first glimpse of le Fort de Socoa

Getting nearer & nearer

The original fortress was built to protect St Jean de Luz from the Spanish enemy.

In later years Vauban, the famous engineer and military architect, further strengthened the fort

The jetty protects the harbour from Atlantic waves.

Imagine this scene on a wilder day!

A peaceful return to the car for Tine, Nicole & Daniel, your faithful blogger trailing behind!

Cousinade continued!

The fun continued in the marquee in Jean & Monique's garden.

A lot of hard work had gone into the preparation...

...much appreciated by everyone.

The caterers at Super U came up with a wonderful spread

Now the guests, starting with the original cousins and their other halves...

...on the first two tables  - Loulou seems to be missing!

Next generation and their partners

Now to the older children...

...including Nadine & Philippe (here with Simon, Jade & Alfie).

Finally the youngest grandchildren, although some seem to be missing. That's Betty 2nd right.

Merci à tout le monde pour les photos.

Woohooo, it's the 1500th post...

 ...so let's make it a special one!

A long time ago my Dad said, I'll never be rich but I'm rich in family. Many years later I can say the same, but this time my French family.

And this is just Tine's Mum's side of the family!

Cousin Monique wanted to organise a celebration for husband Jean, Tine's first cousin, and what a success it was, with very few people missing.

Jean & his brother Claude

An earlier view from the steps. It actually started to rain then but luckily the rest of the day was perfect.

This is just the apéritifs

Entertainment courtesy of Philippe & Loulou...

...whilst your faithful blogger has a fun time with Bruno & Cédric

Being Easter Sunday there was an Easter egg scramble of course.

We also celebrated Jean-Pierre's 70th birthday a couple of days early, everyone signing the wooden guitar.

Simon & Nadine flew over from the UK...

...and Alfie (and Betty too but not in the photo)!

We also got to meet Jade, here with Philippe.