A few days in Brittany (1)

We finally got to visit 'Er in Brittany last weekend, a trip we've been planning for some weeks now. Fortunately Mum Betty is now much better and we found her 'full of beans' and raring for trips and meals out!

On the Sunday we lunched at our regular Crêperie in Le Gorvello then motored on to Penvins to stroll on the presqu-île where we saw these oyster shells on the beach 

The church was closed for visitors even on a Sunday

 

Driving on near Saint Armel there is a small area called Le Passage where we spotted a robin on the seaweed

L'Île de Kistinic

Mimosa at its best. Sadly much of the mimosa in La Tranche has suffered from the recent extreme cold.

Frozen Figeac

The snow had more or less disappeared by the time we got to Figeac but the cold was ever-present and these amazing photos of the River Célé with an icy layer tell the story. Apparently in the past people have been able to walk on the ice across the river, but not this year!

A curious brother-in-law!

Then on into town for a bit of shopping before a very welcome coffee at Loulou's favourite bar.

We walked into the hills to visit Thierry & the other Sylvie's new house, passing a couple of donkeys,

a good view of the camp site by the river

and the haunted house: it doesn't look quite as haunted these days!

Catch up with AAA

Leaving La Tranche with temperatures at -10ºC we headed south last weekend to spend a few days in Figeac chez Loulou & Sylvie, recent snow giving us beautiful views all the way to Dordogne where AAA live. 

After a lovely lunch we ventured into the cold to inspect developments in the house, spying icicles both on the mobile home and the new porch. 

Here's the main living space which will now have a mezzanine on two sides of the room (left and opposite walls on the photo).

We inspected Arun's new mezzanine which is going to be his sleeping area. At the moment he's got his games console projecting onto a big screen up there! 

Since this photo was taken the whole ceiling in this guest area has been plaster-boarded. Anil doesn't mess around!!

To think there's a photo of Anil & me having a beer in this pool. Right now he's pointing out the depth of the ice HONESTLY!

Here's the frozen frog pond. I bet they can't wait for the springtime courtship  croaks!!

Just one of Anil's many toys! In the background spot the many solar panels hoisted and carried into place by AAA. Hopefully their installation will have been ok'ed by the inspector this week.

Another snowy day

Matt phoned me in my pit the other morning: I must take some photos for the blog as it had snowed again in the night, followed by a very heavy frost, and the light was beautiful. Who was I to argue?

Chez nous for those who haven't visited us

In a few months' time we'll be eating cherries from this tree!

The olive tree is still surviving (so far)...

Mimosa is beginning to flower everywhere - hope these frosts don't kill the blossom.

The white beach in front of the Residence de l'Océan

The high tide mark on the Plages des Génerelles

Matt's scooter at the Starfish & Coffee

The high tide line on 'our' beach

Remember Nadine & Simon's wedding photo taken here just a few weeks ago - brrrrr!

And finally heavily laden trees around the sailing lake

So there's Matt to thank for these and more photos to be found on https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150556052567655.386866.766207654&type=1

ps Isn't it the Dad who should be getting the son out of bed?!!

Winter arrives!

We woke up last weekend to a covering of snow, not a common occurrence here on the Gulf Stream warmed west coast of France. However nights have been very cold and we've been thankful for our log fire and radiators. Wood supplies are diminishing fast though!

Tine 'captured' these excellent photos of one of our friendly robins. (Hope you recognise the feeding tray, 'Er from Brittany!)

A natural xylophone or the front of chez nous?

Fingers crossed the olive tree survives these sub-zero temperatures.

Our daffodils are on their way. They're already flowering on some roundabouts in the area.

Le Port La Claye

Later that same day...!

Still very cold we stopped briefly at this lovely spot, yet another ancient port of the Golfe des Pictons.

Le Lay is our local river which runs into the sea at l'Aiguillon

Not sure if this levée is natural or man-made

A picturesque pair of bridges

A much appreciated hot chocolate at the Starfish, complete with icicle dripping below its sign!