Another time travel post

This time back to February 2009 when the council tidied up the big car parks by the main beach.

The pavement looks so much wider without the plantations

The start of the road up to the jetty

You can't help but notice the word 'bar' on this sign which is still there today...

...the present tenants sadly prefer not to think of themselves as a bar in recent years.

Back to the plot: a week later new trees are planted...

...and the road's getting a make-over too.

The pathways crossing the car park...

...and the footpath and future cycle lane alongside the boating lake.

Late spring and the job's all done

La Belle Henriette

Recent big tides have had a large effect on beaches all along our coast. La Belle Henriette is a a nature reserve still within the La Tranche town limits.

This access across the lagoon was built a few years ago...

...and has weathered our bad storms.

The information sign explains how fish enter the lagoon at high tide to feed and filter the water

Once on the nearly deserted beach there's just us & the waves.

Walking back you can see the intricate channels

Still la Bette Henriette but a little nearer to La Faute-sur-Mer we spotted big changes.

Here's a plan of the lagoon, La Tranche to the west and La Faute to the south-east. The next photos & video were taken from the 'Vous Êtes Ici' sign

I took this video to send to Philippe as it shows the house where his friends stayed last Easter

I had never see the sea lapping the walls here...

...and a definite shrinkage of the dunes on the other side of the lagoon.

An arty shot to finish. This passageway has not stood the test of time, weather & tides. There is now no access and it leads to nowhere.

After storm Karlotta (2)

 We went to investigate other beaches and found similar stories.

At la Plage de la Grière I had to let my fearless mountain goat do the scrambling down to the beach.

My knee is very much better but I'm still struggling climbing over rocks.

Looking the other way the fencing tells its own story

That's La Tranche on the horizon

Another day we went to Ste Anne (no, not the one near Blackpool) to see evidence of more damage...

...council workers with a lot on their plate clearing the debris.

It'll take a little more to repair this beach access.

Nearer the town this photo was taken on la Plage des Générelles

I think you know this view by now. Let's hope all those stones get covered by sand for the summer bathers.

After storm Karlotta (1)

As hinted last time, we've had fun and games again on the Atlantic coast on 11th February. Thankfully not as devastating as storm Xynthia in 2010 but still worrying.

The storm took place at the weekend so there were lots of sightseers the next day with the return of blue skies 

Entry to the promenade/boardwalk was blocked near to le Pavillon...

...and here was why, the very high tide was washing the walls.

Later on, the tide has gone out...

...and you can see how busy council workers were at 6am...

...parts of the walkway safely stored by le plan d'eau.

A few concrete blocks have come in useful to protect the damaged water overflow mentioned in my last post.

Alongside this group of surfers were very happy with conditions!

The 'new' promenade

This time let's go on a time travel trip back to 2010.

5th February some high quality wood is waiting opposite the CNT (sailing club)

Three days later an interesting machine is placing the wood in front of the Résidence de l'Océan (notice the neighbouring Résidence Belle Plage is still in the future)!

20 days later and Storm Xynthia has put its stamp on the new boardwalk

2nd March

Back to the drawing board: by 13th April the walkway is back on track...

...but still not complete (that's Tine and old friend Les walking alongside)

A week later and more is completed...

...and by 1st June it's more or less complete and ready for the summer tourists.

     You may be wondering why this post:
     (a) I'm up-to-date with my photos
     & (b) there have been developments!
     More next time.

When you're nearly up-to-date with photos...

...it's time for an odds & ends edition!

Recent heavy seas have eaten away at the rainwater pipeline near le Pavillon

A brief spell of blue skies? Quick get the camera-phone out!

The mimosa trees are approaching their most impressive. Their scent is everywhere at this time of year.

You can't beat a good catkin though (and look at that blue)!

One of our favourites, Euphorbia. This one is in our garden but they are used extensively in roadside plantations.

I saw these iris flowers peeping through some railings...

...just opposite the open-air church. No services until warmer weather though.

One of my favourite new-builds, replacing two very mundane houses. Someone's got a bit of money!

Heading back for home now with my view over 'le plan d'eau' (sounds better than the boating lake)!

Very near home and the structure on the Mojettes roundabout is really taking shape: two commercial units below and two apartments above.

Of course there's always time for a call-in at the Starfish.

A selfie of Mr & Mrs Blogger taken in response to a friend's photo on a beach in Martinique...

...and to show how well wrapped up we were on our way back!

Finally young Sacha reading his Manga book whilst waiting at La Forge restaurant. Of course he had to explain how to read it: back to front and right to left. I think I'll stick with my Kindle!