La Plage du Veillon

We went for a short drive up the coast to La Plage du Veillon which is a big dune/sand spit at the estuary of a small river (could be the Payré, but I'm not so sure). On one side it is almost like a lake whilst on the other there's the ocean.

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At the tip of the sand-spit you look over the narrow strait to the low-lying cliffs of St Nicolas, and the battle of the currents, river vs sea.

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Although a lovely day we needed a few layers to keep the chill wind out. I won't apologise for yet two more sea & sky-scapes: the ever-changing Vendée panorama.

With Nad on the beach at le Pavillon

Well, Nadine has just thrown me by writing a post for the blog all the way from sunny (?) Sheffield - see 'Mes Vacances' - just as I was continuing to try to catch up with our lives here!

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We often just wander along from 'our' beach, past the jetty and onto the Pavillon just to see if anything interesting has washed up. As you can see mes filles were more than happy to catch up with the gossip whilst taking the Autumnal sun.

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However the lovely sunshine was short-lived as a huge bank of clouds quickly came over, and we made a bee-line for Le Café de la Plage to say bonjour to Ludovic and enjoy a beer before returning home under the rain!

Back to Morbihan

Nadine came to stay for her Half Term holiday, arriving right on time at Nantes airport. Instead of motoring back to La Tranche we continued north to visit Gill in Morbihan as we haven't seen her for a while, and for Nad to see the house for the first time.

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After a lovely lunch we drove to the south coast of the Presque Ile de Rhuys to a place called Penvins where we scrambled to the headland past this beautiful church, then along the beach. We also passed a wedding party on the rocks - we didn't quite understand what was going on! Later in the evening there was this beautiful sunset taken from Gill's.

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Next day Gill and I ventured into town to search out some croissants before the heavens opened. Another excellent lunch before our journey back to Vendée where the sun had been shining!

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Gill is now my official mistake finder as I reckon she's first to read the blog each time there's a new post. Merci beaucoup, 'Er in Brittany!

New sea defences

If you remember last Winter there was a problem of much of the sand on the main beach being washed away by big tides. One of the most affected areas was by l'Equipage bar (Chez David to many) and the house alongside.

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Well it looks as though preparations are being made for this Winter, as you can see above. The first photo shows a trench that has been dug a few metres in front of the present property line (no doubt reclaiming lost land from the storms). The other photos were taken a week later and show a big wall under construction. I presume the space behind will be filled.

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So, something to keep me busy over the next few weeks!

Walk on the beach

We went for a lovely stroll along the beach today, and found one of our favourite (and ugliest) monsters from last year. It's known as a sea hare and on occasions there are hundreds of them washed up on the high-tide line. I'm sure you're all intrigued to learn more so I have researched this link for you ( http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=massmort ). We nicknamed it 'black bladder' as that is what it resembles.

Moving on to more pleasant things, the second photo shows a lovely pattern in the sand left by the tide, and two more beautiful sunsets for your delight. I'll never tire of the wonderful big sky we have here (except when it's grey, of course).

(You may have noticed these last few posts have been back-dated. I'm trying to catch up with myself, sorry!)

Work on the car park

Looks like we've paid our local taxes as the council have been busy on the car park by La Paillote. We're not sure exactly what they are doing but we think they're improving the cycle and pedestrian ways, probably with plantations to demarcate the routes as in the main car park.

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It doesn't look quite as clear by La Paillote, and the activity seems to have slowed down. For the moment there is a temporary route for cars through the car park. Will let you know what happens (bet you can't wait!!)

Luçon Cathedral

One of the bigger towns in the area is Luçon about 30 minutes' drive from La Tranche. It used to be a port in the olden days but the bay silted up centuries ago, then the marshes were drained. It's hard to realise nowadays that the sea was so present.

Anyway we had some jobs to do in Luçon the other day and we parked opposite the cathedral. Finding a door open we ventured inside: first the cloisters, then the cathedral itself. What a beautiful place, well worth the visit. I took the photos with my phone as I amazingly left my camera at home - 'amazing' as I normally take it everywhere!

Weekend in London (3)

The London Eye above Horse Guards Palace

The guard at Whitehall

Yes, I know Big Ben is the bell within this tower at the Houses of Parliament!

Westminster Abbey

Chez Phil, perfecting his Man in Burton's window look!

Tine & Phil on Hampstead Heath, bags in tow!

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We fended for ourselves on Monday, making good use of our Oyster Cards again. We wandered around Westminster, enjoying the magnificent Houses of Parliament and the Abbey before heading along the river and over to the South Bank to get a bite to eat amongst other things!

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Back across the river to view St Paul's Cathedral, then a walk along Fleet Street and the Strand before enjoying a pint of Landlord sat outside the pub, French style. By now we were once again shattered, so headed back to Phil's, purchasing food on the way for a lovely Maman-style bake.

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We awoke Tuesday to glorious blue skies. Phil wanted us to see Hampstead so we got the bus there before a quick walk over the Heath (no comments please!) then another bus to Liverpool Street for the Stansted Express. A few hours later we were tucking into a lovely meal at Jean & Monique's who had kindly invited us earlier in the day.

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I'll put all the photos here ( http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/LondonOctober2008 ) if you would like a more detailed look at our exploits.

Weekend in London (2)

In front of Buckingham Palace - notice the Houses of Parliament in the distance.

Green Park: Autumn in all its glory

A very proud française

Dinosaur (1)

Dinosaur (2)

The famous Abbey Road

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Phil had to go into Uni on the Sunday for a rehearsal so we oldsters were left with their Oyster Cards (pre-paid underground tickets) to make our own way around.
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We started at Buckingham Palace after a walk through Green Park. As usual there were crowds of people but it wasn't too bad. The flag was flying so someone was home! From there we walked down Constitution Hill towards Knightsbridge, spotting the French Embassy on the way, plus a plaque to commemorate 100 years of the Entente Cordiale (we two are only celebrating 33 years of Entente Totally Cordiale!)

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We had a quick look at the food halls in Harrods - not as good as I remembered then - then onto a small café where we enjoyed a light lunch. From there we visited the Victoria & Albert Museum whilst awaiting Phil's phone call to arrange our meeting. On to the National History Museum where we met Phil and had a very enjoyable time. Thank goodness times have changed and museums are 'fun'. The dinosaur collection was totally amazing.

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A very tired trio took the tube to Abbey Road, walking past the famous recording studios and on to the pizza restaurant where Phil's flatmate Nick works. After a most enjoyable meal we headed for home, ready for sleep. You forget how tiring it is in the big city.

Weekend in London (1)

Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square

Camden Market

Camden Lock

A Banksy creation

View from Primrose Hill

Giraffe in London Zoo

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When Phil visited us last month he found flights for us to go and visit him in London, 30€ return for both of us. How could we refuse? He met us on Friday evening at Liverpool Street Station and we walked to Brick Lane for a long-anticipated curry. Not up to Bradford standards but still wonderful! Then back to his house near Willesden Green. He and his mates Nick and George are very comfortable there. Thanks for the hospitality, lads!

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So Saturday was our first day playing tourists and as you can see we were lucky to have some blue sky. We walked miles doing the traditional spots, but also took the tube to Camden to visit the market. What a fantastic place, heaving with people, with really colourful shops and stalls.

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We left to walk to Primrose Hill and a great view of the London skyline with its many cranes and new developments, passing a Banksy creation on the way ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksy ). Back down the Hill to walk past London Zoo, viewing some of its occupants, before returning home to rest our weary limbs.

Panic at l'Aiguillon!

You can just make out the green fishing vessel on its way back to offload its catch
Ships' graveyard (1)
Ships' graveyard (2)
Ships' graveyard (3)

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Thanks to Monique Tine has discovered a fabulous shop at l'Aiguillon, known as 'Aux P'tites Puces' ('To The Little Fleas')! She initially went for wool to crochet bedcovers for Matt & Nad (both impressed by the one she made earlier for Phil). Once inside the store - there are three different sheds - it's an Alladin's cave of items you never realised you didn't have and all those bits and bobs that you DO need.
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Anyway we went there yesterday on yet another mission, and decided afterwards, despite the grey weather, to wander around the town's waterfront (near the mouth of the River Lay). It's a working area with quite a few fishing vessels alongside leisure craft. We walked around two Plans d'Eau (man made lakes on which people learn sailing skills) and discovered a veritable burial ground of old boats, three of which you can see above.
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Not to be outdone by my youngest child I decided on an arty angle for the last photo, getting down on the grass to photograph the poppies in the foreground. I'm really pleased with the result.
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On returning chez nous we discovered my mobile phone was missing, so back to 'Aux P'tites Puces' where nothing had been found. Fearing the worst that I'd been pickpocketed we followed our earlier route back to the waterfront. You've guessed it: the phone was lying in the grass where I had been so artistic. Cheers, Phil!!