Futuroscope

Futuroscope is a theme park near Poitiers, just over two hours' drive from here. They're currently revamping it as it has been losing revenue. However if last Saturday was anything to go by they're back on the right track as it was bustling with people.

There are no rides as such but many 'theatres', all housed in fantastic modern architecture, each showing films that push your sensations to the max (or should I say Imax if you get the idea)! My favourite was Chocs Cosmiques projected on a huge dome overhead, showing how collisions in space have helped life on Earth. Tine was very brave and joined me in experiencing two films where you were shaken about in your seat, jumping off a train, racing down narrow streets: amazing!

Hope you like the statues. These are just two examples. We loved them!

After dark there's a spectacular event with giant images projected on screens of water, lasers creating incredible effects, all polished off by a firework display. It was so cold by then that we were happy to find our car and make the journey home.

Have a look at http://uk.futuroscope.com/

48 hour visit (3)

As you can see Saturday was absolutely gorgeous so we decided to try to find la Pointe du Payré, the 'other' side of the estuary from the dunes at Veillon.

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On the way we called at l'Abbaye de Lieu Dieu, one of our favourite buildings that Phil hadn't seen before. From there we continued down the narrow track to the River Payré at low tide. You can see how little rain we've had recently!

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The other four photos were taken on the coastal walk to la Pointe, the low cliffs getting higher and the rock formations more dramatic. The final photo was taken at la Pointe and looks over the estuary to the ever-changing sand spit, with the dunes behind.

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We had a fantastic afternoon and rounded the day off with a meal at Nico's, treated as royalty as always. Next morning, a return trip to the airport - a quick visit but it won't be long until Phil comes to stay for longer in Summer.

48 hour visit (2)

The aquarium at La Rochelle is amazing. It's not easy taking photographs behind glass (and through water) so forgive any blurred lines! The last time we visited the aquarium we drove round in the car and it took ages. It was only recently I realised it was so near to the port, hence our journey on foot.

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Photo 3 shows Phil in the children's tunnel (well he IS our youngest), and photo 4 could almost be outer space, not delicate jelly fish gliding around their tank. 'Napoleon' was big, about 60 cm long and nearly as tall. Aparently they can grow to 150 kg in weight! The clown fish are for Matt who's a big fan of Nemo, and to see the sea-turtle gracefully swimming past was awe-inspiring. We didn't lose any of our party to the piranhas, but sadly photos of the sharks didn't pass the quality test!

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If you get the chance you must visit!

48 hour visit (1)

Our jet-setting son flew into La Rochelle last Friday morning for a brief 48 hour stay as a break from his final University rehearsals, dissertations, etc. He was in great spirits and we certainly packed a lot into just two days.

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We went straight to the quayside from the airport and after a short stroll along the front we settled to a very tasty gallette (savoury pancake) with a drop of rosé wine in the glorious sunshine. La Rochelle is such a beautiful town that photographs don't seem to do it justice.

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From there we walked around the harbour just in time to see the bridge opening for a vessel leaving for the open sea. Our destination: the aquarium. More next time!

Return to Morbihan (2)

On the Sunday we awoke to lovely blue skies again and, once breakfasted, we drove down the Presqu'île de Rhuys to Port Navalo where Gill and Betty had their apartment overlooking the harbour when they first arrived in France over a year ago. Last time we didn't see it at its best as it was pouring down so it was good to return in better conditions.

We stopped at 'La Butte de César' (which we prefer to call Caesar's Butt) climbing to the top - we can now confirm that the Presqu'île de Rhuys really is a peninsula as water was clearly seen on three sides!

Before arriving at Port Navalo we went to the beautiful headland at Bilgroix where we saw yet more pre-history, this time an allée couverte (a gallery grave in English I believe). A short walk from there you could see the very strong currents of the out-going tide, the lovely statue of Sainte Marie de la Mer watching over the perilous waters.

On to Port Navalo itself and a walk around the cliff tops, spotting this fascinating pattern in the rocks near sea level, and back chez Gill for her wonderful cooking consumed outside, despite a few breezes, before setting off back for La Tranche. Merci, Gill, pour un weekend superb!

Return to Morbihan

We had a lovely weekend chez Gill in Brittany, checking on her decorating and gardening activities - both top quality, as you would expect.

On Saturday we drove to Séné to catch the ferry to the Ile d'Arz which takes about twenty minutes. The first photograph is the boat about to pick us up. It's amazing to see the inhabitants of the island with their shopping caddies, bags and boxes full of provisions. The taxi mini-bus is at the other side to transport them home.

We passed this beautiful house near Port Anna, painted a very bright pink. Apparently this is used as a landmark to help sailors find their way. The Golfe du Morbihan has so many islands, large and small, that I bet sailors need all the help they can get!

Just to show that anything Vendée can do, Morbihan can ALSO do, we now have Tine in front of another 'load of old rocks' (le Dolmen Pen Raz), and some beautiful strata in the low cliffs to the south-west of the island.

I couldn't resist the last photo: 'Warning, Dad Dancers'?!! Suggestions welcome...

More from the garden

As promised more to show you that Spring has well and truly sprung, with temperatures hitting the upper teens - bliss! Long may it last...

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The first photo shows what is left of our Winter plantations: lamb's lettuce (mâche), lettuce and leeks. As you can see the tent is still up from last Summer, storing a few items that were in the garage before the conversion. Hopefully this problem will be resolved before too long when our Mancunian friends gets here (hi, J&H - will soon be May). The tent will have to be thrown away as it was ripped in the February gales.

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We bought four tubs like the one in Photo 2, one has become our herb garden and the others will be for flowers. We've planted lots of seeds so we should get a good spread of colour later in the year.

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The trees are starting to blossom. Here you have the plum tree and the forsythia. The apple, pear & cherry trees are all beginning to bud. Hope we get good crops this year.

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And finally......our first strawberry, photo taken on 17th March. St Patrick would be proud!

Better days

Once again I'm behind with my blogging duties so I'll make an effort to catch up this week - promise!

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Well, the weather has definitely improved with lovely temperatures and plenty of time outdoors (plus the beginnings of our 2009 tans). The first photo was our first outdoor lunch of 2009, taken on 23rd February, followed by our first barbecue enjoyed on 2nd March whilst Matt was here for a few days sorting out paperwork for La Paillote. He's now back in the Alps but is due to return to La Tranche mid-April.

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As you can see in the other three photos we've been busy adding a splash of colour to the garden with traditional spring plants. More tomorrow!