Les Îles des Poulains

One of Jean-Pierre's favourite walks and very welcome after a lovely lunch.

That's the Sarah Bernhardt Museum to the left of the photo. One day we might even visit it!

Jean & Jean-Pierre walking up to le Phare des Poulains...

...and this time we did venture inside. There's not a lot to see though!

The cousins teetering on the edge

A couple of long shots of the lighthouse...

...and just look at the colour of the sea even on a dull day.

Although named the Poulain Isles the outcrop is in fact attached to the main island by a beach causeway.

Cousinade à Belle Île

Plus an extra one: yes, 'Er from Brittany came too!

Our home for a few days...

...not too far from the port at Sauzon.

Tine's photo of Jean, our hosts Jean-Pierre & Catherine, Monique, your faithful blogger and 'Er (yes, an actual photo)!

We had a ceanothus bush when we lived in Bingley, a great attraction for the local bee population

You can guess what day this photo was taken: yes May 1st when lily of the valley is traditionally offered in France

Youngsters of today, always on their phones!

End of visit

It was lovely to have Nadine & co visit at Easter but before we knew it, it was time for them to go.

My camera-shy grandchildren, Betty, Sacha & Alfie

I'll let you choose the photo you prefer

Cheeky Betty helped Mamie plant the beans

'Send me a photo when they've all grown,' she says!

One final shot of the Famous Three...

...before we head for a quiet drink at Marie's bar

A few days later we have our own street-party for King Charles III's coronation. We call it lunch outside!

A couple to finish to show how Sacha's getting on with his skateboarding

Out and about with AlfnBets

These two need no encouragement to be in the great outdoors 

Alfie more or less sitting in a rockpool by le Pavillon: maybe a good technique!

Betty discovered pony-riding in the Floralies park...

...and loved it.

Sadly the weather stopped further pony rides in the week, but there's always this summer

Meanwhile I took Alfie to La Pointe de l'Aiguillon...

...where the River Lay meets the sea at the ever-changing sandspit.

Back to Le Rocher with the Hills

As you saw on my Easter post we had all the family over that weekend, Nadine & co stopping for most of a fortnight.

One day we drove up to Le Rocher, aptly named for its stony beach...

...and full of fossils, with Alfie...

...Betty...

...and Tine getting in on the act.

We made quite a collection, but leaving them for others to enjoy.

Just to prove Simon & Nadine were there...

...and your faithful blogger too, but not too much bending with his poorly knee.

Another day Betty asked me to video her at our local playpark. How could I refuse?

Better late than never...

...or better never late, as one of my teachers used to say! Anyway a belated look at spring colours in La Tranche. Photos taken mid-March.

The ever-popular cherry blossom...

...and a local favourite, mimosa

Close up of apple blossom...

...crocus...

...forsythia...

...hyacinth...

...and daffodils.

To bring us up-to-date, a few photos from the garden this morning.

We've grown our tomato plants from seed and have two raised beds  looking very promising...

 

...as are the strawberries.

Further along the green beans are on their way...

...artichokes...

...and 'ratte' potatoes, similar to pink fir apples.

Fingers crossed for our harvest!

Herbaudière, La Guérinière & l'Épine

We had been staying in Herbaudère but sadly the poor weather didn't leave us with a good impression.

I'm sure on a less cold, blue sky day we would have been happy to explore

There were certainly plenty of leisure boats in the harbour so it's obviously a popular spot

Continuing our exploration we headed for La Guérinière on the west coast of the island.

Here we found four old windmills all in a row...

...now all converted into residences.

A final stop at l'Épine to see the small British section of victims of the Second World War, beautifully looked after.