Up, up & away

Now I'll have you singing that all day!

Yes, we made it for Tine's birthday flight in a hot air balloon, enjoying perfect conditions.

The giant basket arriving at the field...

...and the length of the balloon when laid out!

The start of inflating the balloon

It's getting there!

The basket uprights itself

Once we've all clambered in (not as easy as that)...

...we're off!

Views of a château...

...and our own shadow.

The best was Chinon Castle in all its medieval glory...

...with no apologies for several photos.

An old farmhouse, complete with barking dogs and people waving

There's a pool approaching and we're losing height

Phew, safely flown over!

Brushing the tops of the trees, helping us to slow down...

...before landing in a very prickly field.

There's just the small job (!) of deflating the balloon and folding it all back into its bag, a very warm task on a lovely evening.

There was a beautiful sunset before heading back for a welcome glass of wine with everyone to celebrate their flights.

Saumur

A second attempt for Tine's hot air balloon birthday present from last year (if you remember, the flight was cancelled then).

But first we looked around Saumur, which I knew for its wine but discovered it is also very famous as a centre for the French cavalry.

There are very imposing buildings on a hot, hot day

Le Pont Cessart crossing the Loire

The entrance archway to the town hall

The very imposing château, watching over the town

There are statues and monuments to horses all over the town

L'École de Cavalerie, a training centre for mounted cavalry and armoured troops...

...and a couple of tanks on display in its grounds.

Birthday girl +

Yes, it's already a year since Tine's big birthday and celebrations were a bit quieter this time.

Drink and lunch with Matt at l'Embarc...

...and a couple of days later a meal at Kuna Matata...

...with its views of the church and the town square.

Another good view was when walking back from the Starfish one night, the moon in all its splendour and the lights of La Rochelle and the Île de Ré. Can you spot the red light under the moon, slightly left? That's mid-way on the bridge to the island.

Our daily view isn't so bad though

The only remaining windmill in town, sadly on private land and sail-less!

And finally, bonjour Monsieur Crapaud, a regular visitor after dark!

New friends & Sacha

It's now the beginning of June and at last we're getting some better weather.

New friends Mehdi & 2-year old Selim showing us all how to smile...

...whilst Élodie & Tine chatter in the shallow waves.

A week later and it's the annual windsurf race to l'Île de Ré and back. Sadly there was very little wind...

...so we had to console ourselves with a drink at l'Embarc beach bar. Élodie here showing off her D Franklin sunglasses - photo taken to show our mate Big Dave Franklin!

Chez nous Élodie & Selim enjoying our pool...

...Tata Martine getting in on the action, your faithful blogger watching on.

I think this towelling robe has been used my Alfie, Sacha & Betty. Now it's Selim's turn.

Tine & Selim down on the beach.

We've seen a little more of Sacha recently. This photo was taken to send to Alfie to show he'd pinched his shorts!

To finish, a couple of action clips.

Long live summer!

A few bits & pieces

We've had quite a few big jellyfish on our beaches this year.

You can choose which you prefer: right way up or upside down! Tine's foot is the same in both 😂

Another visitor closer to home, Mr Cricket who didn't make it in through the conservatory window.

La Belle Saison beach bar isn't too far away from chez nous...

...with great views looking back on La Tranche.

Tine had an appointment in Les Sables and I wandered around...

...spotting the tourist information office with 'trompe l'oeil' paintings on its walls and windows.