Beach walks

Back to my daily walk routine, often on the beach of course.

This yacht was beached in a storm whilst we were away. Sadly the owner has since died and no-one is taking responsibility, so we have a new feature near the jetty.

The storms have eaten away a fair amount of sand.

Just look at the sand in the wind. Thankfully I had my back to it.

Another day and there's a lone surfer on 'our' beach.

Sadly not my photo but I wish I'd seen these wild boar having a paddle.

What a difference a day makes: rain over l'Île de Ré one day...

...and a clear horizon the next.

We've had some rough seas too...

...with waves breaking over the approach to the jetty.

Don't worry, I kept well away!

Lego, mobilhomes & a birthday

The number of Lego models I've made in the past with children & grandchildren, this is the first time I've had one of my own (and I loved it).

It's not just any model...

...but Concorde!

It certainly kept me quiet as the longer nights drew in.

Finished. Merci beaucoup, Matt!

Mid-October and there's activity at la Baie d'Aunis campsite.

A line of mobilhomes (a nicer term than static caravans in my opinion).

All that's left is the decking.

Mid-March and more activity, this time on les Mogettes roundabout...

...and it's all done by remote control.

Entry by La Paillote...

...a very tight squeeze.

We were lucky to be in La Tranche for Sacha's 11th birthday.

Cynthia had gone to town for the birthday boy.

It's time to blow out the candles, Sacha's cousin Gionny watching on.

I think the two Mamies have other plans!

Odds & ends to finish our UK visit

You know you like blog posts with an assortment of photos so here we go!

Firstly it looked like we were being attacked by aliens when I was walking down to Shipley to meet my mate Murray for a couple of drinks.

Our big mate Steve:  'It's Grim Up North' or 'Fresh from the North'. You choose!

Valley Parade, Bradford City FC's ground. Sacred to some, eh Matt?

Look what Philippe found! These cèpes (porcini) were enormous...

...now dried and ready for the winter. We even got a jar for us!

We were lucky enough to help Nadine's old uni mates Catherine & Adam celebrate their wedding.

Open your eyes, I said to Alfie...

...and he did!

The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, marking our farewell after visiting three countries of the British Isles.

Penistone Hill walk with Meryl & Dave

We love catching up with old Bingley friends Meryl & Dave who suggested we visited Penistone Hill above Haworth.

It's rather bleak on the moors as you arrive...

...but what's that down below?

It's a number of giant butterflies...

...part of 'Wild Uplands' an art installation for Bradord's City of Culture 2025.

These fantastic creatures weren't quite as impressive.

'The Tower' using local sheep's wool

I think you can see how windy it was!

Tine posing in front of one of the more modern 'sculptures'...

...minutes after Meryl fell off 🤣

We drove back down into Haworth to have a coffee and a cake (as you do).

These two shops have certainly made the effort for the many tourists who come to visit the home town of the Brontës.

The Aire Valley

 The first photos are taken from our caravan.

It was pretty misty down in the Aire Valley.

  

Next day, no mist but a view of industrial Shipley & Saltaire. 

Walking up onto Baildon Moor, Yorkshire's beloved drystone walls.

 

My intrepid explorer battling through the ferns...

...and what good weather we had!

Down in the valley a few days later, a little walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Bingley.

It's a good spot for pleasure craft

To finish, 5-Rise Locks not far from from where we used to live. That's Damart chimney in the distance.