Haworth

We managed quite a lot of sightseeing this visit, including Haworth, the home of the famous Brontë sisters. Haworth was always a 'must' for any French visitors when we lived in Bingley, and it's still as popular today, particularly as a big TV drama about the sisters was aired that evening.

Only the tower remains of the original church where the sisters' father was priest

Brontë Parsonage on a beautifully crisp December day

The graveyard is fascinating. Read about it on http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/history/church/bronte_church.asp

Branwell Brontë's local, the Black Bull, conveniently next to the church

Down and up the main street, still cobbled as in the old days

Local shops make the most of the heritage angle!

The following week we walked up above Haworth to Brontë Falls with Jim & Les

We still had beautiful weather, but rather cold I have to say

I promise you it isn't Jihadi Dave

Christmas in March?

I don't seem to be catching up despite frequent posts. So back in that time machine to our stay in the UK in December & January. And what a great time we had!

Love this photo of young Sacha meeting his great grandparents over in Cheshire. They'd have loved him...

Now what could possibly go wrong? Christmas day, two bouncing boys...

...and a magnum of rosé.

The bottle survived and its contents were delicious, merci Matt & Cynthia

Present opening time in the caravan: Si, Nad & Alf...

Cynthia, Sacha & Matt...

...and an incognito Philippe with Tine.

A La Tranche Baie d'Aunis reunion with good friends Alan, your faithful blogger & Tine opposite Jacky, Hughie & Jeanne: all at the Fisherman's in Bingley!

Another time we met up with Tine's former colleagues from Nab Wood, this time in the Brown Cow, our old Bingley stomping ground.

Yes, my perfect wife made this 'galette des rois', the traditional cake for Epiphany in France. It was SUPERB!

Cheddar Gorge & Wells

We made the most of the journey from Bristol to the ferry at Portsmouth by doing a bit of sightseeing on the way. The glorious weather was very welcome after such a dull weekend.

I remember my Dad driving us through Cheddar Gorge when we were children...

...it's just as impressive over 50 years later!

One of the old gateways to Wells, 'the smallest city in England'

The cathedral is truly impressive

Vicars' Close was built over 650 years ago to house the Vicars Choral (the men in the cathedral choir)

We also stopped at Stonehenge on the way, but sadly there are few photo opportunities unless you do the full visit, and we had a ferry to catch.

So, perhaps you'd like to see Stonehenge in 1975...

...with my old mate Gil (and yes that is skinny me with hair & beard)!

Bristol (Part 2)

So, what to do with Sacha for a day without his parents? The zoo and a steam train of course!

Just a selection of some of our photos at the zoo

Sacha disguised as a pearl?

We thought the steam train was a great idea, but youngster fell asleep and missed it!

Something to reflect on

Sorry for the pun!
In November we discovered le Plan d'Eau des Guifettes, just to the south of Luçon, and found superb light conditions for photos. I'm sure you'll be impressed.

It's hard to tell which is sky and which is lake here!

The banks are damaged by coypus (ragondins), still very prevalent in Vendée

I'm proud of this one!

That's Luçon cathedral on the horizon

Chalets and a reception room on the local campsite

Not only did we have a lovely walk but we also bumped into Cynthia's mother and her friend doing the reverse circuit!