Return to Figeac & Grun-Bordas

This time for a sad reason, saying good-bye to Tine's step-mum Francine who died a few days before. These events are quickly organised in France which meant we could attend, just days before my first cataract operation.
As usual with such occasions it was lovely to catch up with family and friends once the sad part was over.

Of course we had to celebrate la Fête des Rois in the traditional way with Loulou... 

...niece Caroline...

...and Tine with their Minion crowns.

I took a few photos on my mission to achieve 10,000 steps

There aren't many people about at this time of year

Le Château de Montfort at Vitrac in the Dordogne valley on our way to call in on Anil, Anita & Arun 

No photos of our friends this time, but an amazing sunset silhouetting the trees...

...and a similar view next morning.

Christmas and New Year odds & ends

Here we go again: a random assortment around Christmas/New Year.

A mild winter meant an early appearance of the unpopular but interesting processionary caterpillars...

...and seasonal migrating Canada Geese in beautiful formation.

The traditional Christmas meal in France is on 24th December

This year we were invited to Matt & Cynthia's, along with C's family

A beautiful place setting...

...and two Mamies and a Great-Grandma tucking in!

(Extra bonus: you can see the inside of M&C's house!)

We saw clumps of pousse-pieds ('gooseneck barnacles') on a walk on the beach at l'Aiguillon. The tentacles were shifting as in a horror film! They're a sought-after delicacy (but not for me, of course).

27th December and Alfie was happy to find his bunk bed, complete with Christmas stocking left by Father Christmas a couple of days before

Queen Betty's already eaten her slice of the Galette des Rois, the traditional dessert for 12th Night, the Feast of the Three Kings. It looks like she found the hidden charm!

Alfie dressed for winter weather

He's not the fastest walker, too busy inspecting everything en route (as we say in English). Better get home before those shadows turn to night! 

Works on the beach near Parc Eden Roc

The usual turn-around spot on my regular walk is at a 'private' housing estate called Parc Eden Roc. I'm not sure how or why it's private but I haven't been arrested yet!
One day in mid October I arrived to find lots of activity just above the beach.

Piles of wooden stakes...

...and bales of straw. 

Down on the beach things start to become clearer...

...with diggers creating trenches and other machines pushing the stakes into the sand in rows either side of the trench...

...to be followed by positioning of the bales of straw between the rows of stakes.

A couple of weeks later and things are looking complete...

...but not everywhere. There's still work to be done.

Five weeks later, the machines have gone and the beach is ready for the next spring tide ('grande marée').

Oops, back in time we go again! (2)

More visits with 'Er from Brittany

This time we're at La Chapelle Notre-Dame de Cran, not far from Sulniac and Treffléan

Inside there are some wonderful frescos of the crucifixion, dating from 1594

Next day we wander around Questembert...

...with evidence of Toussaint (All Saints Day on 1st November), many graves adorned with chrysanthemums, a tradition in France.

Stained glass windows and the wonderful patterns they make are very difficult to photograph

T'es d'accord, Nicole? https://coxigrue.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/rodez/

Oops, back in time we go again! (1)

Computer mouse sorted and we're back in business BUT do I spy some missing photos on my computer? Now how could I forget our November visit to see 'Er from Brittany?

If you're expecting photos of 'Er then you're going to be disappointed. I value my life more than post any here.

We walked around the small lake at La Vraie Croix, enjoying beautiful autumnal colours

Why La Vraie Croix you might ask? The story goes that a knight returning from the Crusades brought with him a piece of 'the True Cross' which a crow decided to take and hide in his nest. 

On retrieving the piece the bird repeated his actions and the villagers seeing this as a sign, built a  chapel to house the relic.

True story or not it's a beautiful village...

...with fine examples of Breton crosses...

...and picture postcard residences.

Back to Sulniac and we spot another Breton cross on our walk round the village

Dusk and a misty morning

My apologies for yet another delay in keeping you 'posted' (ha, English humour)! My computer bluetooth mouse has decided to stop working, meaning I am computerless with no shops open to solve the problem. So thank you, Tine, for lending me your laptop, and to me for having the patience to email photos from my phone to her email address. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

The first three photos were taken at dusk at the end of November 2019 

We do good skies in La Tranche, I'm sure you agree!

A few hours later and it's a misty start to the day

I'm quite proud of these photos

Look, the sun's burning off the mist, with the promise of a lovely day ahead!