Return to Figeac (1)

We just got back from a few days in the South-West, first of all visiting the inlaws, Loulou & Sylvie. Don't be fooled by the weather: we had sun and blue skies for one day only!

Firstly, changes at the house. Loulou has been very busy constructing a new 'terrasse' outside Sylvie's dog-grooming area. The added benefit is the great storage area underneath.

Figeac is as beautiful as ever, and very quiet on a Sunday morning. Our usual coffee spot was in the shade so we ventured elsewhere! 

The open top floors of these buildings used to be used for drying tobacco

Return to Port Bourgenay

One of our regular destinations is Port Bourgenay but it's been quite a while since we've visited and who couldn't resist the chance of lunch out, treated by 'er indoors!

Being Shrove Tuesday (well, in the UK anyway) guess what I had: a wonderful galette Espagnole. Tine had the more traditional crêpe beurre sucre for pud.

And this was the view from the restaurant. We were even too hot behind the heavy polythene windows!

Just imagine how much tax avoidance there is here!

We love the walk along the low cliffs...

...sometimes under low trees...

...and opening out onto pebble beaches. This is the fossil one, Mr Schwaller, if you're reading this!

Shame we couldn't carry this tree stump back with us. We've used plenty of logs this winter.

The sea has been eating into this coastline too, as shown by a very visible root system

The wind shapes the trees...

...but the gorse is out to cheer us on our way...

...to the end of our walk with the outskirts of Les Sables just coming into view.

Yet another beach walk

Well, there's not much else to do at this time of year, but I'm not complaining. There are signs of spring and the days are growing longer.

Heavy seas have taken their toll on some of the defences...

...and the man-made dunes have been banked-up here to protect the boating lake.

The tides ebb and flow, with always plenty to marvel at

The jetty seems to have acquired a new staircase. RLT (Radio La Tranche, the local gossip system) hasn't informed me yet of its purpose!

I just can't resist yet another sun-behind-the-clouds shot!

Renewing la Rue Victor Hugo

I might be hibernating but the local council isn't: there's lots of work being done on la Rue Victor Hugo which runs all the way from near Novafun to the wine shop at the bottom end of town. At least there's not much traffic to disrupt at this time of year! No doubt it will all be finished for the main influx of tourists later in spring.

My back is to Novafun

Standing by the post office, looking towards chez nous...

...and down into town

Finally, my back to the wine shop. Can't often say that!!

Sadly the road surface looks like being a mix of tarmac interspersed with beautiful tiles, another missed opportunity when you see the work done on some of the back streets.

Winter walk by the beach

Sacha and I went for a lovely walk in perfect conditions. Notice the (lack of) crowds but don't be fooled by the sun - it was bitterly cold!

They've been working on strengthening the dunes here, between the boating lake and 'our' beach

I'm sure Nicole will let us know what we saw flying past!

'Our' beach from near the jetty

The jetty's been closed to the public recently, Big Brother checking we don't get swept off in high seas

Couldn't resist reposting this photo from January 2010, the only time I've seen a real covering of snow in La Tranche

Mixed bag

A few odds and ends to bring my faithful followers up-to-date.

We looked after Sacha for five days whilst his Maman & Papa went to New York (yes, in all that snow)!

Here Tine is carrying Sacha on 'our' beach in what we used to call a snuggly...

...and Papy's getting a bit of quality time too!

Sacha's support for Bradford City helped his Papa's team to beat Chelsea 2:4 the other week!

Meanwhile back in Sheffield Alfie's got a really cheeky look awaiting his grub!

Big adventure: Alfie's first (I think) train journey, Tine making the most of her stay in the UK

Look who came to visit at Jim & Les's: Phil & Clare!

While the cat's away the mouse will play. Guess what I've been doing! Dave was over for a few days and Glen's about to set off on his Thailand/Cambodia adventures.