Day out on the Île de Ré (!)

Always a popular destination with visitors and it's been a while since we visited the island which protects our La Tranche beaches from the full force of the Atlantic Ocean.

We took a short detour to show off our favourite feathered visitors in Saint-Denis-du-Payré. Apparently quite a few storks stay throughout the year these days.

The gang arriving at Saint-Martin-de-Ré...

...and this is what they were all looking at: the approach to the harbour. (La Tranche can't be seen but is on the horizon, just over the water!)

Saint Martin has a real Mediterranean feel to it

Lunch at La Sarrasine, our favourite crêperie...

...with the obligatory apéritif, Cointreau fizz, a new one on me!

Port la Claye, le communal and back home

Continuing our visit we took our guests to Port la Claye

The not very well known River Lay...

...being observed by the five amigos (amigo Sue taking the photo of course)!

Suddenly there was a big splash and a young deer was spotted swimming across the river

On to the communal by le Payré (common land, now a nature-lover's delight), but first wonderful poppies in the hedgerow 

Not the clearest of photos but two ragondins (coypus) play-fighting in the marshlands

Back home and one of Tine's special lunches...

...before a dip in the pool for some...

...and a stroll into town to the Starfish, and back along the seafront.

Writing this in July it's amazing how quiet it looks!

Old friends visit Moricq & the crypt at Curzon

First full day with our friends and we decided to stay fairly local.

You've seen le Tour de Moricq several times now but you can't fail to be impressed by it 

Gina, Tine & Paul wandering around the site

Your faithful blogger trying to sound informed with Ian

Five ex-teachers, who'd have thought it?

A reminder that this was the original coast of Vendée, now 9 km (5 miles-ish) inland

Tine came across this memorial on one of her cycle jaunts: four British airmen shot down in 1941 

Onto one of our favourite destinations for visitors: the crypt at Curzon

...with its beautiful stained glass window and carvings.

First visitors of the year

But first, a couple to prove we're back in La Tranche!

Our favourite plant stall on the market...

...and a view of the town from l'embarcadère.

Here's the gang in the Starfish: your faithful blogger, Sue, Gina, Ian, Martine & Paul. Bingley friends reunited.

Earlier we walked to Marie's beach bar...

---with its excellent views...

...and very welcome pints & rosé with grapefruit juice. Just the job!

But look at that threatening sky on our way to the Starfish!

Happy to be back home

Back to La Tranche means back to Sacha too.

But first let's share Sacha's new book from Salts Mill with good friend Hugues: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, sung by your faithful blogger of course!

Sacha looks happy that we're back: playing outside dismembering Playmobil figures...

...or helping Mamie make naan bread for Papy's curry.

The new playpark at La Faute is a huge success. Can you spot Séb, Anna & Anna's Mum in the background? 

Young Alicia gets in on the act too

Sacha tucks into oysters at La Forge (not for Papy Dave though)

Plus there's the pool where young man is more than at home!

Last days of our UK break

A couple of oddities to start (no, not me'n'Matt)!

Matt & I on TV seen whilst at the caravan: the transmission of the League of Gentlemen concert we went to last September. It's only fair to mark Martin too as it was his treat! 

Our favourite Keighley pub, Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker Ale now named after it!

We took Alfie into Sheffield centre one day on our last weekend.

A bright welcome for us in the Winter Garden...

...and outside, young Alf posing in front of one of the city's many steel 'sculptures'...

... (remember, Sheffield was the centre of stainless steel production in the UK).

Phil joined us too, not just to play in the fountains with his nephew

We later called in at a 'pet' shop, complete with snakes...

...and dragon-like creatures. I'm not sure I'd call them pets though!

When are you taking your drivers licence test, Alfie?

Next day back to Portsmouth

This photo was taken in Southsea for Sacha who's besotted with pirates!

Taken from the English Heritage website:
 Royal Garrison Church was built in about 1212 by the Bishop of Winchester as part of a hospital and hostel for pilgrims. Used as an ammunition store after the Reformation, it became part of the governor of Portsmouth’s house during Elizabeth I’s reign. The church was restored in the 19th century, and although the nave was badly damaged in a 1941 firebomb raid on Portsmouth, the chancel is still roofed and furnished. Fine 20th-century stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Second World War and from the church’s own history.

But look what's arriving: our overnight ferry to St Malo

See you next time, UK!