Last day

And there's still time for a stroll into Sauzon

At low tide the inlet is nearly dry...

...but today we could enjoy watching the bobbing boats.

Further around the headland, what do we discover?

There's a new catamaran ferry service...

...direct to Sauzon. That definitely sounds like a possibility for future breaks with the cousins.

All things come to an end, and we say our au revoirs to Jean-Pierre & Catherine

Back on the regular ferry at Le Palais...

...with more views of the beautiful port.

Back to Quiberon and the shuttle to the car followed by the journey back to La Tranche.

Not for long though!

JP&C: tour leaders!

Next morning JP accompanied us on a stroll around the headland at Sauzon.

The earth looks pretty dry, months before the big drought

It's a brighter day and this time we visit Port Puce

Back at the house look what Tine's getting up to...

...happy as Larry, as we say in English!

Thankfully she avoided this little garden feature once she released it from its weeds

In the afternoon Catherine took me for a tour around the island

We had a short walk along the cliff-tops at Port Coton near Bangor

We've visited here on very rough weather days and the waves can be ultra-impressive!

Chez JP&C and a short walk to the beach

We only stayed for a couple of nights but good fun was had!

Tine looking nice & relaxed...

...whilst your faithful blogger is doing some Starfish promotion work alongside Jean-Pierre, Catherine photobombing from the house!

The house used to belong to Catherine's grandparents

I'm sure they'd be happy to see it constantly busy

Some drastic pruning has been done here!

JP, never happier than having a bottle and a glass in front of him!

Ok, I'll join him

A short walk from the house is le Port de Deuborh

The weather's not perfect...

...but there are still discoveries to be made!

Another break on Belle Île

Since moving to Belle Île cousins Jean-Pierre & Catherine are always asking us to visit them and it was in mid-March that we decided to take up their offer once again (a hard decision to make)!

The ferry leaves from Quiberon where we park the car and catch the shuttle bus down to the port

Here we go, a 45 minute journey to the island

Arrival at Le Palais on a beautiful day with very interesting clouds to welcome us

You can make out the Vauban fort which dominates the town

Catherine was there to pick us up...

...and taxi us to Sauzon, a few minutes away...

...and the view from the restaurant where we enjoyed our evening meal.

Poor JP's been in the wars, broken bones in his shoulder after a fall. Not very pleasant in the heat!

Creatures

Living by the sea I’m lucky to do part of my daily walks on the beach where there’s always plenty to discover.

Like this jellyfish. So fascinating yet so hated!

Another day I spot the remains of a monkfish, not a pretty sight…

…and yet another fish-of-the-day, an eel-like creature. I’m sure I’ll be put right about this!

And howzabout our crabbie friend?

One day Tine found a beautiful starfish, sadly past its sell-by date…

…and finally a crocodile on the beach. Oh, it’s made of sand you say.

Look carefully and you might spot one of our many lizards, basking in the hot sun on an artichoke leaf

It’s closing-the-shutters time after dark but who’s this lurking in the shadows? It’s Mr Toad of course.

Just recently we had an extra guest in the house, obviously making its way inside whilst doors were open to allow some cool air in. We eventually captured the adult hedgehog, nicely rolled up into a prickly ball and placed in the bottom of a bucket for transferral back to the garden.

Visiting young friends & developments at the Starfish

Matt & Cynthia’s friends Séb & Anna (in reality our friends too) have bought a second home in the Vendée countryside.

Séb in full barbecue action

Séb and daughter Alicia, one of Sacha’s schoolmates

Séb and your faithful blogger enjoying a little apéritif

They seem very happy with their purchase…bought from an English couple who coincidentally live in Baildon where we have our caravan

Meanwhile at the Starfish, Matt has been very busy creating an outdoor area (view from the outside)

Early days as you can see, but a glimpse of what is to be

Looking nearly ready…

…now with stools too!

And in use not long ago: your faithful blogger with nephew Rémi, cousin Mathys and brother-in-law Loulou on a surprise visit to La Tranche.

Inside let me introduce you to the Starfish’s new cocktail section, dried fruit bottled and ready