Shrimping

One of Alfie & Betty's favourite activities when they come to stay is to go shrimping near to the jetty.

Betty with her water bottle hoping to catch lots...

...and Alfie with his net.

It looks like they've got something.

And here it is, a small sea cucumber ChatGPT tells me.

Some in-action shots now

Alfie & Nadine prospecting...

...whilst Betty waves from the jetty.

Here is normally a good spot, but not today. Better luck next time!

More beach fun & chez Fafa

It's low tide near le Pavillon...

...and Betty's slightly happy...

...but keeping her distance from one of our regular visitors.

Another day and Alfie is a little more adventurous.

What a monster!

Sacha's just taking it all in.

We love eating chez Fafa who always makes a fuss of us.

Alfie's cool dude look...

...and Betty's utter excitement.

Back at home Alfie's continuing his cool dude look...

...whilst Betty & Nadine enjoy an apéro, Surely that's not rosé wine, young lady!

AlfnBets settle in

It doesn't take long and it's always great to see how happy Alfie & Betty are in their French home.

The pool's obviously a big draw...

...but the beach just 10 minutes away is equally popular.

Burying your brother is always a good idea...

...as is building a sea wall.

Alfie with Selim

Alfie's always been fascinated by creatures...

...and to catch a baby lizard is not the easiest of activities.

Proof!

After all this excitement it's time for our evening meal on the new decking.

Nadine & AlfnBets arrive

Plus they came for a whole five weeks this time!

Sacha had spent a couple of weeks with Steven & Sally in Bingley AND Ibiza beforehand but here he is with Alfie outside the baker's in Dronfield.

Now en route for Portsmouth leaving Simon home alone 😢😢

Three very excited grandchildren on the ferry

It looked a little windy to me!

I reckon Nadine deserved her Aperol Spritz

Next morning breakfast with the French coast as a backdrop.

It's nearly time to disembark and hit the road to La Tranche.

Yet another mixed bag

No apologies! 🤣

Sacha celebrating the start of his summer holidays with a new haircut and shades.

Bastille fireworks by the jetty

The old Chouannarie bar is now called O'Corten and owned by Laura who worked for Matt at the Starfish for several years.

Someone once said I collect people: welcome to the collection Dawn...

...and Michael, Essex friends of Vanna & Simon. Both photos taken at O'Corten.

Towards the end of July I 'had a fall' as people of my age say!

Nicely healed a month later but I think I'll be scarred for life.

More fireworks, this time for the Assumption, a national holiday in France

We had a long-distance view from 'our' beach...

See who you can spot here.

A very mixed bag

And I have a feeling there'll be a few more like this in the weeks to come.

This sign amused me at the microbrewery where Matt is working.

It's been a great summer for butterflies, this one on our lavender bush...

...and can you spot another on a roadside flower tub?

Still in the nature theme, we had a visitor on a clothes peg, a damselfly I believe (or should that be dam selfy)?! 

It was a relief to be out at night-time during this hot summer. View of the town from the jetty...

...and the jetty itself.

Of course summer means aquagym at le Baie d'Aunis campsite. I'm in there somewhere!

A pinched photo of many of my camper friends now able to enjoy a drink at La Paillote again.