Visiting old friends

No sooner were we snugly settled in the caravan then off we set for Caroline & Martin’s ‘new’ home on Anglesey in North Wales (brave people moving in Covid-times).

With excellent directions from Caroline we easily found their lovely new house…

…with plenty of land and even Tom the pony came with the purchase.

The weather wasn’t good enough to eat outside but it did look very tempting

How’s this for business acumen? A local farmer sells his milk from this machine, and Caroline is here to prove it!

The same evening we went down to Amlwch Port…

…enjoying some fabulous reflections and a rainbow.

It’s been a long time

Last time we were ‘oop north’ we managed all of three days before Matt phoned us suggesting we returned to France. Yes, lockdown one was days away.

Our preparations were all worthwhile, a pint of good Yorkshire ale at the Old Glen Inn a short walk from our caravan

First house visit? To Steve & a very grown-up Maddie’s for a lovely curry

A couple of days later we celebrated my last year’s 70th birthday with lots of friends at the Brown Cow, one of our favourite Bingley pubs

Me’n’Steve, both raising a glass to La Tranche looking at our clothing!

Lindsay and Sally, colleagues from Daisy Hill. Lindsay was Tine’s penfriend when they were teenagers. She has a lot to answer for!

Is he in every photo? My old buddy with Lindsey B

And there he is again, photobombing Steve/Stan & Jane

You might remember this gang coming to visit us in La Tranche a few years ago: Tine, Ian, Paul, Sue & Gina

To make it even more special Phil came up from Sheffield and was joined by Jack and Jim

Three of my Queensbury mates Simon, Kathryn and Liz (sitting opposite the lovely Sarah with Alicia and James)

It’s late and most people have gone home but the hardy Queenie lot soldier on!

Thankfully it was a lovely mild evening making it very safe to be outdoors and mask-free.

Saint Malo

Yes, the 10th version of our Brittany Ferries crossing seems to be happening. All paperwork has been completed and printed up for inspection, Covid tests done, and here we are at Saint Malo on a lovely afternoon. What excuse do we have but wander and take a few photographs?

And what perfect weather!

We wandered along the jetty, getting a fantastic view of the old town…

…and our ferry waiting patiently.

Back down the jetty…

…and finally find the sea swimming pool (just) in use…

…and a beach volleyball match in full flow.

Perhaps Tine’s favourite  road sign, Rue du Chat Qui Danse (The Cat Who Dances Street)

Cousinades+

Celebrating doesn’t finish when Nadine & co leave: a few days later brother-in-law Loulou & Caroline arrived for about 10 days (Rémi too but I have no photographic evidence). Poor Sylvie had to miss out, staying in Figeac for work.

Tine invited Jean & Monique round for a meal and the heat forced us to have apéritifs in the shade at the bottom of the garden  (l to r: Loulou, Jean & Monique)

The evening’s setting in but you can make out Caro, your faithful blogger, Cécile & Arnaud

Nadine’s gift of a solar lamp was very appreciated

More cousins, this time outside l’Amandier where Loulou & Caro were staying. That’s Jean’s brother Claude with his wife Dany to the right

Final cousinade celebrated Christian’s birthday outside Jean & Monique’s…

…with a video clip as evidence. That’s Annie in the background later!

A few extras to finish

An evening stroll produced two photos I couldn’t resist taking

It’s nearly time to put the pool to sleep for the winter (impending UK trip)…

…but look who’s finally got a new awning, all-electric too. We’re getting old!

Holidays nearing the end

Not very long before the Hills’ return journey so Alfie & Betty have to make the most of everything

Like Betty’s imported ice-cream at the Starfish…

…or a look through the telescope (oops too small)…

…thankfully Maman is there to help.

Alfie’s enjoying a bit of quality time with Tonton Matt at the Starfish…

…Si getting in on the act too.

Betty posing in front of an inflatable flamingo (or ‘mingo’ as she says)…

…and posing again with our resident surfer statue.

You can almost hear Alfie going, ‘That looks like fun’…

…and it was, along with Betty & Sacha.

One thing’s for sure, Alfie’s joy is self-evident!

We’re leaving in a couple of hours…

…just time for one more dip.

Finally, just look at Alfie’s underwater swimming skills!

Meeting the boat from Saint-Martin-de-Ré

We treated Nadine & Simon to a day on the Île de Ré where they hired bicycles to go exploring (and having a great child-free time). They were up early to get the ferry from the jetty but Tine, Betty & I went to meet them on their return.

Betty’s getting excited…

The boat’s very near to docking

Spotted…

…but Nadine & Simon had quite a wait to disembark. 

‘Croisières Inter Îles’: perhaps next time they’ll visit Île d’Aix and La Rochelle too