Getting some practice in!

Those of you in Facebookland will know that we recently learned the exciting news that we're going to be grandparents for the first time in October. Congratulations to Nadine & Simon!

In the meantime we've been getting a bit of practice in with young Elliot, my best Tranchais friend!

That's what I call babysitting - steak, jacket potato and a lovely bottle of Gaillac...

...not to mention being at Elliot's beck & call!

Another day and he's a star in his new sunglasses

Tine's getting cold....

...so we move to a more sheltered area

...where the sand is even better!

No photos of my mate crying when we 'forced' him to leave the beach. The skin turning blue was a bit of a clue!

Glisssssssssendo!

To mark the official opening of the 2013 season in La Tranche we were treated to some unique entertainment, Glisssssssssendo, a 9-piece group who play their instruments whilst gliding on the town square with their demonic leader keeping the rest in order. The only way I can describe it is the Da Vinci Code meets the Daleks!

Not sure if the video will work but a very big thank you/merci to Stefan, a good friend from the Starfish & Coffee, who took all these photos.

St Vincent sur Jard with Lindsey

We had a Lindsay/Lindsey swap day at La Rochelle airport but 'Tlandlady was less lucky with the weather with most of her stay very damp indeed!

However we did manage blue skies one morning and headed for a recent favourite of ours: St Vincent sur Jard.

Don't be fooled - those clouds made an unwelcome return in the afternoon!

Typically, the day after 'Tlandlady's departure we saw the return of warm, even hot weather, as can be seen by Tine enjoying an outdoor apéritif and more recently our first barbecue of the year!

LCA in the garden & Tine's last night at L'Aiguillon

It's good to have keen photographers come to stay as I don't have to make any effort, so thank you very much to LCA for this selection.

Our stockpile of pine cones is diminishing but (say it quietly) we haven't had a fire for a few days!!

This flower (?) is much smaller in real life than it looks here!

Guess who's back?!

Is that blue sky behind the magnificent forsythia?

Tine has now finished giving lessons at L'Aiguillon and was presented with a wonderful outdoor pot complete with local goodies!

A closer inspection!

Plantlife at Le Piquet

On our recent walk along the River Yon at Le Piquet there were definite signs of spring, Tine and LCA both taking beautiful photos. Thanks girls!

Violet

Cuckoo flower

Primrose

Stitchwort

Wall pennywort

A bumble bee on blackthorn blossom

Today's mystery photos. This fungus-like plant was growing at the base of a tree... 

...come on, Nicole!

LCA at Le Piquet

Yes, it's that time of year and a visit from La Correspondante Anglaise alias Lindsey S. We're still suffering from that pesky jet stream anomaly, and as I type this the back garden is under water again. We still managed a walk at St Vincent-sur-Jard and a return to Le Piquet.

The winter's heavy rains have continued the creative power of flowing water 

The old mill is still standing...

...and look who's here!

A paparazzi shot - don't think those leaves are quite big enough yet!

Normally this pathway to the bridge is somewhat easier!

I know you've seen it before but Le Piquet does have an amazing atmosphere and we love return visits!

Lairoux & St Vincent sur Jard

Although there are definitely signs of spring everywhere, the air temperature doesn't seem to agree but we're still managing to get out and about.

One destination was the 'communal' near Lairoux which acts as a bird sanctuary. We were very lucky to see a large number of sacred ibis with their distinctive beaks.

Another day we ventured to St Vincent sur Jard where we found this large group of ducks (we think) on the sea. We enjoyed a lovely walk along the low cliffs, returning along the beach, narrowly avoiding the rising tide, your faithful blogger even managing to take off his jacket!