A wander around l’Aiguillon

I’ll do the shopping at l'Aiguillon Super U whilst you do your steps. How could I resist Tine’s offer?

The old windmill is very intriguing, hidden away...

...in an aptly named passageway.

The structure seems to be privately owned...

...but no-one was around so I took the opportunity to take some photos.

Walking on to the boating lake it seemed strange to find it drained. This structure is part of the fun zone, very popular with youngsters in the summer when falling into the water is not a problem.

And here's where the lake will be filled before too long, I should think

Of course l'Aiguillon is known for its seafood, and particularly mussels. Here are piles of bouchots ready to go. 

You probably can't make it out but the furthest ones away are sharpened like pencils to go into the seabed.

As you can see I love the ramshackle jetties where fishing boats arrive

Creatures

We thought we'd found wild boar prints in the dried mud on a recent walk, but our expert friend reckoned they were deer prints

However on another walk this was definitely the mess made by wild boar, hence local dislike for them (and an extension to the hunting period to try to cull them)

This creature's request: take a photo of me, Papy!

These two creatures posing in the latest Starfish promotional sweatshirts

One creature learning to skateboard near to our house

Let me introduce you to the latest creature though, a young beagle puppy named Tikka born at the beginning of February and a new addition chez Matt, Cynthia & Sacha

Something tells me these two are going to be best buddies!

Beach extras

Yet another selection of beach photos from my daily walks.

The footpath above la Plage des Génerelles

Near to Saint Anne...

...showing how much high tides have eaten into the dunes.

The weather was duller a week later... 

...but a good view of the mussel bouchots at low tide.

Last week the weather was perfect for wind-surfers at La Terrière...

...and even a video to show how busy it was.

Back to La Belle Henriette

 ...although at times it looks like Desolation Bay.

Yes, we've had many very high tides recently...

...but these stark landscapes look like life on another planet at times.

You still can't beat a good reflection though

Something tells me they don't want people to wander along these tracks...

...but your intrepid reporter needs his photos.

In reality you are allowed to walk along the beach but there are warnings of danger if there is a big tide

We used to cross this way to the main beach

Even the new walkway seems to be struggling with the heavy seas...

...yes, no access for you or me.

And the cat is totally oblivious to all nature's changes!

War remains at le Pey de Fontaine

Séb & Anna told us about bunkers near the village of Fontaine not far from Angles, so armed with a new more-detailed map off we ventured. 

We hadn't realised just how big the bunkers were...

...one entrance still accessible...

...and proof that we explored inside (but not too much as the ground was very uneven).

On the top were mysterious blocks...

...and a vent of some sort.

There was even an odd couple posing for photos!

Not far away another big complex of bunkers, no doubt connecting with the first

When we told Jean & Monique about our exploration they couldn't resist visiting the site themselves...

...and even found this drawing back home, which explains some of the structure.

There is quite a bit of evidence of German wartime occupation in la Vendée during the 2nd World War

These bunkers are at Le Rocher, a bike ride away from La Tranche...

...with more to be seen on La Terrière beach...

and at Sainte-Anne.

Screen shot taken from the Geocache website