L'embarcadère: the final chapter

The crowds on l'embarcadère, ferry in the background
Hugh, Jeanne and their grand-daughter
A big wave from the salty sailors
Next stop, St Martin-de-Ré
View of the main beach from l'embarcadère

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As promised (plus the gorgeous weather left us with a thunder storm in the night) here's proof that, not only is l'embarcadère finished, but the Inter-Iles ferry is once more in action.

I promised our new friends Jeanne & Hugh from sunny Eccles that I would wave them off on their trip to St Martin-de-Ré on Wednesday. Hanky WAS in pocket but I didn't show them up!

Anyway just after our departure for our 'Tour of the UK' the jetty opened for business again for holidaymakers wanting to stroll along to spot jellyfish (very few again this year), fisherman with their infinite patience (how DO they do that without a good book to read or an iPod?), and travellers on the Inter-Iles ferry. And because we were away I never recorded this important event, so here is the proof: l'Embarcadère 2008 is well and truly open, twice as wide as the original and as popular as ever!

In case you don't know Jeanne & Hugh are our drinking buddies each night at Happy Hour. They are stalwarts of the campsite for the last 18 years and big fans of Matt's: amazing we'd never met before. It's funny how you know instantly you're going to get on with someone, and that's how it is! Must be the Salford blood in me!

Last days of Nadine

Action shot of me in the pool
Strange people at the bottom of the garden
No, we didn't find the pot of gold
Nantes château
A fine gargoyle at Nantes château

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It's near the end of August and I am aware that there have been fewer posts on the blog this month. My apologies - I'll try to manage another tomorrow to bring you up to date on the jetty.

The first three photos are all Nadine's. Proof in the first one that I am using the pool. It's a little cool to get in but on a day like today it helps us cope with the ultra-high temperatures. (Don't worry, methinks there's a storm a-brewin'!) The second shot is very artily done, combining some of our garden produce with Tine and me in the pool (not the produce in the pool obviously).

We go to Happy Hour most nights at Matt's bar to help me keep my English up-to-date. One day last week the heavens opened and we arrived in the car Tine volunteering to taxi back. The rainbow was a full 180° arc and truly magnificent.

The last two photos were taken last Monday when we took Nadine to visit Nantes before taking her to the airport. Both shots are taken inside the castle which is VERY impressive, and free. Like most French cities driving around can be a nightmare but there are treasures to be found.

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Been keeping up-to-date on www.4gotoscotland.blogspot.com ? Only two days left to do!

Back to the two of us

What a babe! (The lizard too!!)
Our favourite lizard
Impressive, huh?
Caro in the waves

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It's nearly the end of August and we've already been back in La Tranche for a fortnight. We've had loads of visitors, including Loulou & Sylvie & Co on their annual holiday at the Baie d'Aunis. One day we took Caro & Rems to La Terrière beach to enjoy the big waves there - as invigorating as ever as you can see from the last photo!!

So, Nad has now left us too after a long stay here; just when we were getting used to having her around again..... She's planning to return in October which isn't that far away, and Phil is due to return soon too.

I don't want to rub it in but the weather has been amazing this week, temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20s Centigrade. We've made good use of the pool Nad & Si brought, plus of course the beach and sea.

There was a huge storm whilst we were away and we lost some of our produce (including several tomato plants) but we are still proud to be eating our home-grown. The pumpkin and thyme soup was excellent, and today's tomato and courgette soup was very good too (thanks Gill and Delia!!) Anyone out there want some cherry tomatoes?

After a while without seeing lizards there are suddenly loads of them again. Nad & Jodi trained one baby to walk on their hands, but our favourite is still the bright green one who is a good six inches (15 cm) long and far less timid than the others.

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Don't forget http://www.4gotoscotland.blogspot.com/, onto Day 7 soon

Back to normal?

Tine & Jodi flattening the make-shift door/table!
Cheeky lunchtime aperitifs chez Matt - quel scandale!
Peacock butterfly enjoying mint flowers in the garden
Now what's that effect when you have a spoon in a glass?

Tine & Nad practising their synchro-swim routine for the next Olympics!

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It's nearly a week since our return to La Tranche. Tine's back at work but Nadine is still here to keep me company in the mornings (care in the community?)

We got back on 15th August which is a National holiday here. We had our now traditional buffet party for visiting Brits before heading for the main beach to enjoy the firework display: not as good as July's in my opinion but still fantastic. On to Matt's bar afterwards for beers, then to bed. Thanks to Nad & Jodi for shopping and preparing the wonderful food!

Most of the Nadstock gang had left, but we still enjoyed a few days with Jodi & Mouse on their second visit to La Tranche. Don't leave it so long next time!

So, this last week we've been relaxing after our strenuous (!) holiday in the UK as the photos show. The weather isn't solid blue but we've had plenty of sun to replenish our fading tans.

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Don't forget www.4gotoscotland.blogspot.com on the Web near you!

UK Tour

A big thanks to Nadine for looking after the blog this last few weeks whilst we were enjoying our tour of the UK. We had a wonderful time visiting family and friends in Sheffield, Cheshire and Cumbria before hitting West Yorkshire. Then up to the West coast of Scotland for a week, discovering the wonderful Ardnamurchan, and finally to Edinburgh to discover the Fringe Festival and a fabulous city.

Look out for www.4gotoscotland.blogspot.com coming your way soon!

Please forgive us, bring back the blue!

Before I start - I feel Jess's 'French' photo sums up our holidays so far.
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Oh dear. Well, having thought the 'Nadine' curse had lifted due to our glorious weather so far, it's all gone seriously wrong. After two grey miserable days we had the most torrential rain last night.

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Adam and Jess left us yesterday morning; we tried very hard to keep them here but to no avail. Unfortunately they had jobs that they had to get back to. It was with great sorrow with which we waved them off. In the evening we decided to go eat at La Paillote to cheer us up and to say goodbye to Holly, Barney and Gez. We had a really lovely time but were soon seriously rained in. We stayed for cocktails purely to enable the rain to pass. Unfortunately it didn't so we got wet. Very wet on our way home. Look...

Despite the rain we had a lovely evening and actually enjoyed getting warm and cosied up into various dressing gowns before settling down to watch Stardust. When I say watch, I mean fall asleep at various stages during it!
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We took Holly, Barney and Gez to the railway station today and so Casa Clegg feels a bit empty. We miss our larger commune :( A lot of the day has been spent tidying and washing the ridiculous amount of sheets/towels which were used. Thankfully it has been very windy today meaning lots has dried. The wind has stopped us really enjoying the sunshine though. You win some, you lose some...

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Les Butlers dropped in today and we also saw some Schofields yesterday. Bingley is being well represented in La Tranche! I know there's more on their way and looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday.

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Jodi and I have bought fresh tuna for this evening's tea and Jamie Oliver has told us we have to be brave and eat it still pink in the middle. Scary! I'll let you know how it goes!

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Anyway - will throw in a few photographic highlights of the last few days and leave it at that!

foo de fa fa

Simon and I have been here a week exactly today and so far we have been really lucky with the weather (so there to all the Nadine doubters... I don't ONLY bring rain!). However, Jodi and I just looked at the forecast but we're pretending it never happened as it wasn't all that promising. Keep your fingers crossed please.
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Things are going very well in Casa Clegg. It seems to be that we are at all times either; eating, about to eat, preparing things to eat or full from having just eaten. I'm not complaining - these are all things I am happy to be and do! We've had some GORGEOUS dishes including chorizo and feta pasta from Jess, lemony/mustardy chicken again from Jess but special thanks and mention goes to Meryl again for the use of your BEAUTIFUL cook book. You must try that one as it was incredible. Barney made mussles for those who wanted, Holly made a scrumptious sausage creation with our 30 left over sausages from Friday's BBQ. And yes, 9 of us did manage to polish off 30 whole sausages in one sitting... eek! All in all some really yummy grub.
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We've not really done that much other than eaten and sunbathed so to keep you posted is not all that exciting! We have been for two cocktail hours chez Matt where we've proven ourselves to be frightfully British and loaded the table with a ridiculous amount of drinks moments before the end of the hour. We've watched a lot of Flight of the Conchords (only when the sun's been hiding though) and generally been having a fabulous time.
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First of the return journeys takes place tomorrow which is sad :( unfortunately it doesn't even appear to be a glorious day today to send them off with but hopefully it will clear later.
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Right, I'll leave you with some photos from Friday night's BBQ and will be back soon, promise!

The boys looking 'manly' whilst BBQing...
The girls looking gorgeous :)
Jess multitasking supreme with baby Alice who paid a visit with some collegues.

Let the chaos commence...

Hello all! The blog has been hijacked. Papa Clegg is currently gagged and bound somewhere very north of here in the Scottish highlands. His beer is being drunk, his house is being used... Nadstock is here!

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So, the rumours are all true. I, Nadine, and 8 of my friends have taken over Casa Clegg and are having our very own party holiday. It feels a little bit like a commune with communal cooking and shared decision making, but I think deep down we all like that.

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Arrived a couple of days ago under rain in the middle of the night and awoke the next day under yet more rain. However Jodi and Mouse brought sunshine with them in their cases as when we picked them up from La Rochelle we did it under glorious blue skies! Adam and Jess arrived at La Roche Sur Yon later that evening, and then Gez, Holly and Barney arrived yesterday (again to La Roche Sur Yon.) Simon has been renamed 'James' due to his ferrying but it's all worth it 'cos here we are!

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Won't write much more but will try keep you posted on momentous events (like the impending party on Friday - oh Papa Clegg is severely jealous, moohahaha!) and also give you some photo highlights.

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P.S - Papa, if you read this... you are now the proud owner of a pool, take a look at this!