Approaching storm and back on the beach

Yes we had some fantastic weather during the lockdown but one weekend there was a very impressive storm.

An eerie evening sky warning us of the approaching storm

A 'borrowed' photo taken late at night, a river of rainwater on l'Avenue de la Plage in the town centre

The document giving you permission to go on the newly opened beach. Luckily this was soon abandoned but the beaches were for 'active' use only, no sitting, sunbathing or picnicking. That also has now been abandoned and people are free to relax once again.

Not much relaxation here, the beach access destroyed by the storm.

These two were more than happy to be able to walk on the beach again...

...Sacha showing off his photographing skills!

Back home and a photo to show how fast young man is growing (or old man shrinking)?

Garden update

All this confinement and good weather have meant we've been able to spend a lot of time in the garden.

Once again we've had an amazing crop of artichokes...

...luckily Sacha & Matt always keen to sample them.

'Rattes' potatoes, photo taken mid-May. The plants are now dying down and we know what that means!

There's plenty of new growth on the olive tree. Will we get a crop to bottle this year?

The strawberries have been magnifique...

...just don't let Sacha get there first!

Dwarf green beans mid-May...

...and the same bed a few weeks later.

Perhaps you prefer the climbing variety. Whichever we have had a big crop this year. (The radishes in and amongst have been great too.)

We've tried courgettes again with limited success...

...nil desperandum.

We've now sampled our first cherry tomatoes and looking forward to other varieties soon

On the flower front the wisteria was as impressive as ever...

...and wild poppies have been everywhere, traditional red...

...and the yellow California variety.

Finally, I reckon my Dad would be proud of this rose, a gift for Tine from 'Er in Brittany a few years ago

Lockdown life

We're used to life being quiet in the winter months but normally spring means the weather improves,  La Tranche begins to wake up and we socialise more. Well, the weather certainly improved with long sunny,  even hot spells. What could we do to console ourselves about the lack of social interaction?

In the bar on the ferry from St Malo to Portsmouth, handwash gel already evident

A few days later and back in La Tranche: a better kind of sanitiser

Comfort food helped us through the lockdown: steak with home-made chips and pepper sauce...

...chickory (endive) gratin another day...

...sausage casserole Sunday lunch, Yorkshires and roasties to the ready...

...cheese soufflée, one of your faithful blogger's signature dishes, ...

...or chicken & new potato tagine?

Of course puds were allowed as well (but not too often)!

Lemon meringue so good it merits two photographs

Or a new favourite: marmalade cake

One day we and Sacha picnicked (courtesy of The Slice) above the Starfish. This was in the second stage of lockdown when we could finally be with family again.

But, all this eating is going to take its toll...

...Joe Wicks' exercise class to the rescue!

Day out with Dave & Shan

We were booked on the overnight cross-channel ferry for the Saturday but couldn't resist a day out with our Essex friends who'd only just arrived in La Tranche. Little did we know how life was about to change.

First stop, Les Puits d'Enfer. The tide was going out so no impressive waves smashing against the rocks...

...still beautiful though.

Next onto Les Sables for a coffee, but first l'Île Penotte aux Coquillages...

...with its fun collages made from shells.

Don't get your fingers trapped in the letter-box mouth!

After driving round to La Chaume on the other side of the estuary we walked up to the lighthouse passing the old church...

...and some very rusty capstans.

The view back down the estuary, La Chaume on the left and Les Sables on the right. This is where competitors in the Vendée Globe leave and return after their single-handed race around the world.

I'm not sure who these two miscreants were...

...but they were waiting under the lighthouse!

Another favourite spot in La Chaume is by the church where someone has been very creative with their 'trompe l'oeil' paintings.

They even fooled Shan and your faithful blogger trying to get in the bar!

A big thank you to Big Dave for several of these photos.