Post Christmas fun

Now safely back in La Tranche after a hectic near three weeks in the UK. We've eaten, drunk and chatted to excess but what a wonderful time catching up with (nearly) everybody. Here are a few photos to share with you, reminding us of happy times:

We were made so welcome on Boxing Day chez Janice & Charlie where the traditional wrapping paper innards dance was performed to perfection! Tine can be spotted boogying on down with the Robinson massive.

Now he's retired Charlie has time to do his fantastic carving: this nativity scene is exquisite. Have a look at his website on http://www.kershawscarvings.co.uk/.

Observant readers will recognise this ice-bound café-barge at Saltaire (previous photo on 26th December). We met Vics & Ste for a short while, revisiting the Boathouse, one of our favourite haunts. This photo was taken before we had lunch. A couple of hours later they'd managed to move the barge about 15 metres!

Nadine's Christmas cake, deliciously baked and iced. Thanks for giving us a large chunk to bring back to La Tranche, Nad!

And finally: yes it's fish, chips and mushy peas up at Dick Hudson's. As many of you know I'm not the greatest fish-eater but battered cod is a definite exception to the rule!

Festive celebration & an icy walk

Still having great fun seeing family and friends back 'home', first off the four brothers and sisters get together for a wonderful curry in Cheshire. It's not often AKD&P are together these days!

Silv & Nad

Tine, your faithful blogger & Kate

Kate & Pete

Ann & Bry

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Couldn't resist sharing this photo of Superpeep in his new boxers, OUTSIDE his trousers, of course!

We walked from Long Lee to Bingley via St Ives park and marvelled at the frozen snow scenes everywhere.

Lady Blantyre by her rock (a local story)

We didn't get lost in the woods

A carved fish leaping from the frozen Coppice Pond

Peep & Nad standing on the ice, ice baby!

'Duckprints on the ice remind me baby of you' (!!)

But the ducks found some water to swim in

Happy Christmas 2010

I'm cheating here, photo taken early in 2010

We're having a great time back in the UK with Nad & Peep, catching up with family, friends and ex-colleagues. Snow is everywhere and the temperature below freezing, even down to -10°C the other morning! This fantastic Christmas tree was in Sheffield.

Trees are silver silhouettes. the early morning and late afternoon sun casting a wonderful pink glow on everything.

Whilst ducks and pigeons attempt to skate, swans find a hole in the frozen ice on the canal at Saltaire.

An icebound café-barge moored at Saltaire.

Back to Bingley! The old market place in the town centre. We were very impressed by the new market.

East Riddlesden Hall

Kate has continued Dad's tradition of sharing daffodils with the family. That's snow outside Gill & Andy's window - house-sitting is cool!

Pink champagne apéritif is de rigeur before Christmas lunch!

Look carefully at the glasses here - thanks Silv!

St Vincent sur Graon

We made the most of a fine afternoon by getting in the car and visiting a lovely small town not far from Moutiers, St Vincent sur Graon.

The church is typical of Vendée, very imposing and at the centre of the town.
We walked part way around the big lake there, enjoying the autumnal colours

and the wild cyclamen

even spotting a field of deer near to the dam.

Back to the church where the light through the stained glass window made wonderful patterns on the statue.

Call this snow?!

With daily updates of severe snow conditions back in the UK (and parts of France, it has to be said) I'm afraid all we've managed here in La Tranche is a light coating one morning last week.

Now, can you all keep the snow at bay for our impending visit later this month?!

Ragondins & more sunset photos!

We ventured out on the bikes the other day, well wrapped up against the cold, and spotted this family of coypu ('ragondins' over here) obviously enjoying the gentle warmth of the winter sun. You can buy ragondin pâté in the shops here, a delicacy I might miss out on! More information here on http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th1f.htm

We then cycled on to La Terrière for a stroll along the beach, more shells than usual in evidence.

Then back to La Tranche where the sun was ready to sink behind l'Hôtel de Océane.

And finally back home to a cuppa in front of the roaring fire - bliss!