The grandsons' show

Yes I know, you see enough of Alfie & Sacha here, but here's more!

Two photos sent by Nadine showing a very happy Alfie in uniform for his first day at school

Thankfully he loves it. Phewwww!

Meanwhile Sacha's been going to school for a while now, the starting age being much lower than in the UK. Wednesday means no school for him: guess who enjoy coming to the rescue!

Shadow games on the Baie d'Aunis walls

Always a success: the carousel on the main square

Otherwise there's looking for creatures on the jetty pillars...

...climbing at the campsite...

...feeding the goats at Les Floralies...

...or balancing activities!

His favourite expression at the moment is 'tout seul' (by myself). I think these photos show why!

Low tides

We are often treated to good weather in September when the majority of tourists leave for work and school. We also get a spring tide (nothing to do with the season of spring I have just learned, but the 'springing forth' of the tide). This is when there is the greatest difference in the high and low tide. 

The rainwater outlet into the sea by Le Pavillon d'Aunis

A rare view of Le Pavillon from beyond the rock pools

Searching for hermit crabs

An old breakwater becomes visible at very low tide...

...the three remaining posts look like figures from a distance.

A few days later Tine & I enjoy a coffee at La Villa, La Tranche's newest café/restaurant with its amazing view

I told you nearly everyone had gone home!

It's always fun to be able to walk round the end of the jetty!

Tine's photo under the jetty: I love the alignment of the shadow with the structure

Tine's still not sure what she spotted wriggling its way out of the sand. Any ideas?

All the boats are stranded until the tide turns...

...a good opportunity to lift the marker buoys.

A few hours later and it's high tide again. It's a good job the sea was calm!

The summer holidays draw to an end

Always a sad time saying au revoir especially when the weather's still perfect!

Nadine & Betty relaxing by Marie's beach bar... 

...where we met 'old' Bingley friends Sally & Stephen...

...some even venturing into the sea. Take my word for it, there's  Lois, Stephen with Sacha and Nadine with Alfie.

Betty grinning as (nearly) always, Alfie glued to the TV!

Tine enjoying a bit of quality time with Betty

Down at the Starfish with our Essex gang: Simon & Immy vs Alfie & Gemma on the table football...

...and Vanna getting sneaky cuddles with Betty.

Another day another bar, and Betty is enjoying cuddles with Angela at La Paillote

Last day for Nadine, Alfie & Betty, Betty decides to achieve one of her outstanding challenges

Cupboard door open: result!

Last evening and Matt joins us. Betty's rather nonplussed but Alfie & Sacha are as chirpy as ever.

Mostly Alfie

Alfie loves his holidays 'at France', as he says. You can easily see why!

He's become a mussel-aholic, with a brief moment of crisis before eating the tiny crab too! 

We even have tame grasshoppers as playmates...

...not to mention fluorescent beetles.

Down on the beach at low tide there are rock pools...

...sometimes with live crabs.

At low tide we can walk around the moored boats in the bay...

...and even under the jetty.

Then there are always new friends to be made...

...and fun times with cousin Sacha.

Summer odds & ends

A mixed bunch for you this time, from our long, hot summer.

In front of le Pavillon (now renamed l'Aunis) there are some new fountains where youngsters enjoyed cooling off when the temperatures rose too high

The views don't get better than this: Tine serving apéritifs in the pool!

Sadly I'm not as skinny as the latest version of me! 

Family photo opportunity in the Starfish: Phil, Gina with Betty, Tine, Nad & your faithful blogger

New for 2018: a beach tent, here getting good use for Tine, Betty and part of Nad in the garden

Nadine & Betty posing at Côté Plage, our favourite beach restaurant

Philippe looking as fashionable as ever

Tine's picnic tea creation...

...for two tired young grandsons...

...whilst Betty perfects her ballet moves!