The Starfish reopens

It’s been a long 7 months since the Starfish had to close because of COVID-19, so 19th May was a special, long-awaited day. There are still restrictions: outdoor service only with a maximum of six to a table but the curfew has been pushed back to 9pm.

With the closing of the pavement in front of the bar because of the works at the new restaurant next door it gave Matt the perfect opportunity to ask the town hall for permission to create a temporary terrace.

Just a week before the magic date the pavement is being dug up

The day before Matt invites me to a sneaky preview...

...soon joined by Alex and Séb.

Et voilà, tarmacked just in time with creative use of barrels and planters to aid social distancing

First morning I have an espresso (no it’s not a tiny Guinness) as he’s opening from 9 am...

...and even serving snacks from the revamped kitchen.

Who fancies this cheese & cold meat platter?

On the way to the toilet you could be tempted to buy a sweat- or t-shirt!

Cheers, and we’ve even got a Johnny Depp lookalike behind us!

Back to the future...

 ...well, back to 2021!

Cousins Jean-Pierre & Catherine have sold their house in La Tranche and are moving permanently to Belle Île but they've also decided to buy a studio apartment in Le Rocher, just up the coast from La Tranche.

A good excuse for Tine to force me on my bike and cycle there one day. Sadly we spotted the wrong apartment but still took a few photos.

No, this isn't their new abode but somebody's artistic skills on a wartime bunker

Look closely at these two photos and you can see another bunker has been developed into a rentable location. Anyone interested?

Back home and first dip in the pool...

...followed by further antics with Sacha.

We've had so much wind and rain since opening the pool that we've not been able to make full use of it. The forecast is looking better though.

Tine had her second jab and we thought we'd explore near to the vaccination centre: here's a truncated version of the château at Les Magnils-Reigniers (which looked very impressive in the past https://www.geneanet.org/cartes-postales/view/7764028#0 )...

...and the town's beautiful but slightly out-of-place church and priory.

Back in the time machine (3)

It’s the same year, 1986, but this time we’re having a special treat courtesy of Tine’s godfather Jojo: a day trip to l’Île de Ré.

Nadine & Tine enjoying the crossing...

...just like Matt & a younger version of your faithful blogger.

Arriving at Saint Martin it takes a while for everyone to disembark...

...but look who’s there to meet us: Manou stopping with friends on the island.

Time to get the boat back to La Tranche and we’re entertained by competitors during ‘la fête de la mer’

It’s been a tiring day with an early start...

...but here’s the return ferry.

Now leaving Saint Martin...

...not forgetting to wave to Manou & Papy Maurice on the town walls.

Back in the time machine (2)

 1986 now, when the summers went on forever

Jean & Matthieu working hard at la Baie d’Aunis campsite

Exciting times on the tractor!

Meanwhile Nadine & Matthieu on the beach. Who remembers the pedalos?

Little Orange Corvette getting full enjoyment!

Matt & Nad more & more confident in the sea

Back at our home for the summer Nadine enjoying the lovely weather

Back in the time machine (1)

What to do when you’ve run out of photos (this lockdown is proving to be a problem)!
Ok, time to go back in the time machine, right the way back to 1981 & 1983.

Young Matthieu, just 11 months old. Little did he know then that one day La Tranche would become his home town.

Look at those legs (Matt’s not Tine’s obviously)!

Here with Tine’s maman, Manou

A couple of years later and it’s 7-month old Nadine’s turn to enjoy the delights of ‘our’ beach, the old jetty as a backdrop... 

...meanwhile Matt is getting more & more confident in the sea.

We have huge memories of our Corvette boat

La Tranche was already an important windsurf resort

Back at our little home behind the main house, courtesy of Jean & Monique, Nadine is charming her Manou. Or is it the other way round?

Matt is getting his little sister set up for food...

...and Nadine gets a cuddle from her great grandmother Mémé.

Most evenings were spent back on the beach though, Matt loving getting wet through again