Chez 'Er from Brittany

How could I resist an invitation to help 'Er from Brittany celebrate YET ANOTHER birthday, especially as Tine had gone back to Yorkshire to help Nad with her wedding arrangements? We had a lovely lunch with G's good friend Paula, followed by a walk along the shore at St Cado, dedicated to a Welsh martyr from Glamorgan. Apparently Cado was a patron saint of the deaf, and hearing problems can allegedly be cured by lying on his stone bed inside the chapel. 'Pardon?' I hear you say!

The route back to G's took us by the standing stones of Kerzerho, just a stone's throw (sorry!) from Carnac's more famous alignment of stones.

Starfish & Coffee

At last it's open to the public: Matt's latest venture, the Starfish & Coffee.

I thought you might like to see some of the changes from the old Casa Blue so I have sneakily attempted to take the same shots, some more successful than others!

Admittedly some of the old photos were taken after dark (and panoramic methinks) but I'm sure you'll appreciate all the hard work that Matt, Stephen, Bryan, Cynthia & Tine have put in to create a really welcoming bar. Here's to fun times ahead, maybe with you, faithful reader!

More photos can be seen on http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.103518833065057.7309.100002208224708.

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Starfish & Coffee? One of Matt's favourite Prince songs from 1987.

(Mainly) Lindsay's photos

La Maison Forestière is a picturesque traditional Vendée house near to Le Pavillon, now used for meetings and club activities. A couple of years ago I posted a photo of its wild flower garden, this time there's a profusion of red tulips and white narcissi.

We always know when Lindsay's visit is imminent when the wisteria begins to flower. I think we'll have to wait for a few years for ours to reach these proportions.

And how about these for arty photos, all taken in our garden. One day I'll manage this class!

Thanks once again, LCA!

Wanderings with Lindsay

We returned to l'Abbeye de Lieu Dieu for the third time in a month but this time took a couple of different photos, one of a very Stephen King-like tower and the other of an old doorway to what would have been the cloisters. Photo 3 shows Tine with an escaped Beastie Boy!

La Plage de la Mine is very near to the abbey (I'm sure you'll all know this by now) and we made the most of the warming sunshine, even managing a paddle in the sea.

Back in La Tranche jumpers round shoulders show that there was still a little chill in the air (we managed 31 ° C in the shade a few days later)!

And finally: why walk round to the back of the house when you can Vespa? Matt showing off his Union Jack birthday helmet.

Thanks to Lindsay for most of these photos.

The season of visitors

You know summer's well on its way when visitors start arriving chez nous, and our recent lodgers had excellent weather as can be seen by these photos. A cycle race at Les Sables nearly stopped us reaching Le Puits d'Enfer but the intrepid chauffeur managed against all odds!

Onto Les Sables itself which is also undergoing a regeneration with a three year programme now into its second year. The new steps to the Palais de Justice are very impressive.

The port area is always fascinating (as long as photos avoid the hideous Cavac building in the background) and there was plenty of activity with vessels leaving on the high tide and wonderful reflections on the bow of a trawler.

Finally my view from the bench in the hot sunshine whilst 'les girls' shopped!

Avoiding the rain (2)

I'm sure this herd of young bullocks recognised us from last time: they always look so interested in us!

We spent time ragondin spotting, but found nothing up this waterway.

But here's a youngster swimming for safety after being disturbed by two humans. Look at the size of the entrance to the family's burrow - no wonder the farmers don't like them as they damage the canal banks and eat the crops.

In the distance we spotted the head of a stork in its nest, obviously keeping its eggs/young warm as it wasn't very happy as we got nearer. We'll have to return later to see the youngsters.

And finally a heron obviously looking for a mid-afternoon snack.

The heavens opened just as we neared home. We'd made the most of our afternoon.