Les Marais de Jard

It's good to make mistakes sometimes. Aiming for la Plage du Veillon your faithful blogger took a wrong turn and suddenly saw a sign: Observatoire des Marais. Curious to the last, we stopped and investigated.

And this is the view we saw, the amazing man-made channels dug into the ancient marshes

Of course curiosity got the better of us and down we went...

...to explore a complex system of interlocking waterways...

...connected by gates to control the water level.

Some areas were covered with nets, probably to protect  fish or eels.

Some cattle were curious,

some were hungry.

We even saw a friendly donkey,

wild mushrooms

and lots of birds.

And here's how it looks on Google Earth

Sand erosion and a walk at dusk

It's only December but already the sea has been eating away at some of our beaches. Since we moved to La Tranche we've learned that the gentler summer tides bring back a lot of the sand, so there's no need to panic!

One of the footpaths to the beach between La Grière and Sainte Anne...

...with its stockade defences open to the elements.

Part of the dune-top footpath just our side of the jetty has been washed away.

If you look closely you can make out the jetty through the gap in the dunes. A couple of heavy high seas would soon bring the sea into the boating lake.

Onto more positive things...

...look at this selection of photos taken at dusk at the end of a very rainy day.

This one looks as though the sea's on fire!

Wonder if the end of the rainbow is at our house!

Road hold-up & grub

Tine had a great time in Sheffield for a few days having Alfie to herself, but all good things come to an end and I was soon back on the 'taxi-run' to La Rochelle airport.

This time I had the perfect excuse to be late: Le Pont du Brault opened before my very eyes... 

...to allow a catamaran to make its way to the sea.

In case you think we might starve over here, just look at Tine's mille feuilles for Cynthia's birthday (and a rematch for Nad & Phil on their visit),

or the trifle Shan made when we ate at theirs,

or the Tine-made pizza to prove she's not lost her touch!

Meanwhile the walks continue. These are low-maintenance hedgerows along the main road into La Tranche.

But as winter draws in with its cold and damp, there's nothing better than warming our bones by the log fire!

More Alfie and La Tranche beach walks

Last few days with Alfie (and Nadine & Philippe of course)

His facial expression doesn't say much but Alfie loved riding on the new bicycle baby carrier

Grub's on its way at Stéfiouz, one of our favourite La Tranche eateries

The gang left Papy on his own whilst Mamie accompanied NP&A to England for a few days

Luckily the good weather continued and I got lots of beach walks in on my usual circuit

I must have been in a reflective mood!

You can make out Le Pavillon d'Aunis on the horizon

Wonderful!

Early evening at Les Conches

Out of season it's great to be able to visit the hugely popular destinations without worries of crowds and parking. This is how we decided to wander to Les Conches to enjoy the early evening sun and tide. Wonderful!

There were a few people about enjoying the fine Half Term break...

...and also this surprise visitor...

...even in disguise.

Well done Phil for these beautiful shots of Nadine & Alfie

Apéritifs call, methinks!

Boys will be boys

With such perfect weather we spent most of the week outside, making the most of the increased decking space.

I'm not sure who had more fun: Matt with the ball pool...

...or Phil with the tunnel (here disguised as a tin of Birds custard)!

Alfie eventually got a look in!

Alfie's obviously very impressed by our pumpkin haul...

...whilst Sacha sleeps on.

The Mamans swap babies

Eventually Mamie & Papy get their turn with the grandsons!