Life goes on (I'm sure I've used that title before)!

Nadine & co left rather earlier this year as they had fun times arranged down in Hastings (Si's home town) for the last part of August.

The fun continued in the Starfish though with these summer regulars...

...and a brace of Daves, Big Dave et moi.

Meet Elias & César, Matt's two barmen this year who've helped everything go smoothly, along with Laura of course. These two are as cheeky as they look!

A few odds & end (I know you love them really)

I wasn't sure if I lived in La Tranche or Amsterdam some days this summer.

A very patriotic trio of vehicles outside our house in August.

To celebrate our 17th anniversary of living here, a couple of photos...

...including the new sheltered wood store at the side of the house. We've plenty left from last winter but another order should arrive in November.

Starfish times

We spend many happy hours in the Starfish & Coffee and it's an equally popular destination for our visitors.

Sacha & Alfie are obviously concentrating on a football match whilst Betty is happy to pose.

Betty & Nadine enjoying an icecream cornet...

...whilst Alfie & Nadine change their look daily!

Alfie playing darts with great uncle Loulou, and it looks like it's after dark too. Tut tut!

Alfie posing in MY flat cap...

...like a much younger Sacha did in 2019.

And that marks the end of Nadine, Simon, Alfie & Betty's holiday for summer 2024. See you back in the UK in October!

Out & about with AlfnBets

One thing with AlfnBets, they're always ready to be out & about

Of course Alf's hair has to perfect, a labour intensive and painful experience!

Betty was proud to show the new gap in her teeth. In France it's le petit souris (the little mouse) who brings a bit of money for the kids.

Poor Mamie's trying to relax. Betty's thinking otherwise.

Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, as we say in the UK (on leurs donnerais le bon dieu sans confession, in French). AlfnBets round the corner from chez nous. 

It might be raining but there's always time for a chi-chi (churro)

Betty showing off her summer braid

And finally Bets on the carousel. The boys are too cool for it these days!

The holiday continues

Another random set of photos

Alfie's growing fast. Will he overtake Mamie next year?

Some days a siesta is essential: Nadine & Tine snoozing in the shade of the albezia tree.

Nadine & Simon's friends came to stay in the area again, spending a couple of afternoons chez nous.

One day they came armed with parcels...

...all Amazon returns at a pop-up shop.

Look what Tine got 🤣!

Hidden away in the forest near the town is the Plaine de Jeux du Fond du Mourat

Betty enjoying climbing the spider's web...

...whilst Alfie & Sacha are obviously discussing survival skills!

More cousinly fun

It's great that the three cousins get on so well even if Betty can be a bit pushy sometimes.

After the catamaran lesson there was often chance for a dip in the campsite pool.

Betty showing off her diving skills (!)

Catamaran lessons done, Alfie & Sacha were both awarded Olympic-style medals.

Chez Mehdi & Élodie, Selim, Betty & Alfie don't realise they're recreating the Beatles 'Please please me' album cover!

At Cynthia's Matt, Alfie & Sacha pretend to be the three wise monkeys...

...before Betty joining them for a pose by the pool...

...and inside.

Back chez nous who do you think the boys' favourite footballer is?!

Catamaran

We bought Alfie & Sacha a week of catamaran lessons.

The small class ready to go

A couple of video clips to show their new-found skills.

Another lesson under their belts!

Beach time

The pool's oviously a draw when the grandchildren come but the beach is only ten minutes away.

As you can see, Alfie & Betty are hating every single moment!

Jellyfish...

...or tiny starfish?

There's always time for a beach cuddle though.

The monsters return

Nadine arrived with Alfie (10) and Betty (6) a bit earlier this year.

Posing on the steps to the plane at Stansted Airport...

...and already to go!

Do you reckon they were happy to see Tonton Matt?

In our little pool we practised our circus skills.

Betty showing off her jumping skills (you might just spot Sacha too).

Mehdi & Selim came to share the fun one hot day (with Alfie photo-bombing)

Great, Simon's arrived and there's a very happy AlfnBets.

Having watched some of the synchro-swim at the recent Olympic Games, Nadine decided to do her own routine.