Wedding 2: A Bit of a Do (Part 2)

Now onto the real business: Matt had requested a bar extension until 4 am and we made the most of it!

Nadine, now changed into something more comfortable, with (r to l) cousins Julie & Romain with partners Cédric and Julie 2

'Dad dancing' with jazz hands - what a combination!

Meester Clegg with Cynthia

The happy couple

Or is this really the happy couple?

Statler & Waldorf? No it's your faithful blogger with La Tranche mate Guy.

So that's how you work behind the bar!

Nad invents a cocktail

Sister-in-law & brother-in-law getting down!

Anil & your faithful blogger, old beer buddies reunited!

Family hug with Nad, Si & Phil

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Another big thanks/merci to Monique, Nicole, Guy & Anil

Wedding 2: A Bit of a Do (Part 1)

Who'd have thought back in March that we'd be using the Starfish & Coffee as the venue for Nadine & Simon's French celebrations for their wedding? I know everyone was impressed, as they were with the excellent food prepared by a local business and the endless flow of Matt's finest bubbly, beer and wine!

A very welcoming sight to to those arriving

and one of the canopés wasn't fish!

Some will remember the strings of childhood photos and the parents/grandparents family tree from the wedding in October

La Tranche friends Sue, Françoise & Isabelle, with 'Er from Brittany subtly hiding whilst chatting to her lovely Mum, Betty. Cousin Dani is on the far right with a couple of junior cousins behind.

More cousins: Julie & Laurence with Tine

This time the Mother of the Bride gave a short speech,

the guests enthralled!

Later a second announcement (no, Tine isn't singing her greatest hits here) to explain that the traditional 'pièce montée' wedding cake hadn't survived the day. It still tasted delicious!

Cynthia's parents, Vianney & Catherine in my favourite position - at the bar!

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Merci Monique, Nicole, Guy & Anil for their paparazzi skills here!

Merry Christmas 2011

Here we are again with the now traditional Christmas Day blog post. Matt & Cynthia have just arrived for Christmas Dinner and the bubbly is about to flow (along with lots of present opening).

With all the changes in the town square the lights are a little low key this year but Christmas activities in the new covered market are bringing in the crowds.

Cousins Dodo & Marie-Jo sent a replica bouquet of roses for N&S's Wedding 2, here in front of our beautiful tree.

The French celebrate Christmas Eve and we were invited to J&M's along with Cécile, Arnaud & kids. The crackers were courtesy of us - I've never seen a cracker tree before!

Guess who visited overnight

leaving stockings for our 'children'! 

Wedding 2: The photo shoot

We decided to have a 'do' in La Tranche for the French contingent as it would have been difficult for many people to attend the ceremony in October. Once again Nadine & Simon were blessed with perfect weather but this time somewhat colder than last!

Many of our French cousins clubbed together to organise a photo shoot for the happy couple with a local photographer, and the results are stunning. Luckily we had our roving reporter Jean (who also acted as chauffeur for the afternoon) getting in on the act. Merci pour ces photos, Jean!

Nadine, ready to go...

...and Simon too!

Here you can also see the photographer in action

Now you know what the pink scarf was for: it was bitterly cold, and the long shadows show how late in the afternoon it was.

Next generation cousins enjoying the veil and posing on a sand dune!

Cousinade in Courseulles

One weekend recently we hit the road with Jean & Monique, direction Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandy, to visit Annie & Christian. It was good to catch up with folk and we were lucky to get out and about for several strolls.

The old mill in normal conditions

and at high tide with the sea surging back up the river!

Just behind the seafood vendor: I resisted!

A cousinade (Catherine's name for a collection of cousins - sadly C and Jean-Pierre weren't with us). L to R: Jean, Monique, Tine, Annie & Christian

Lobster anyone...

or what about this monster monkfish? I am assured it tastes good!!

Winter rambling

Wrapped up for a lovely stroll along 'our' beach heading for the jetty

we spotted this interesting pattern in the sand. A very artistic creature, methinks!

Later on the tide is a little lower, revealing the old groin by the Pavillon.

Seasonal produce: mushrooms & leaves!

Thursday nights is Tine behind the bar at the Starfish whilst Matt plays volley ball. I was even left in charge the other week - now there's a worry!!