Plantlife at Le Piquet

On our recent walk along the River Yon at Le Piquet there were definite signs of spring, Tine and LCA both taking beautiful photos. Thanks girls!

Violet

Cuckoo flower

Primrose

Stitchwort

Wall pennywort

A bumble bee on blackthorn blossom

Today's mystery photos. This fungus-like plant was growing at the base of a tree... 

...come on, Nicole!

LCA at Le Piquet

Yes, it's that time of year and a visit from La Correspondante Anglaise alias Lindsey S. We're still suffering from that pesky jet stream anomaly, and as I type this the back garden is under water again. We still managed a walk at St Vincent-sur-Jard and a return to Le Piquet.

The winter's heavy rains have continued the creative power of flowing water 

The old mill is still standing...

...and look who's here!

A paparazzi shot - don't think those leaves are quite big enough yet!

Normally this pathway to the bridge is somewhat easier!

I know you've seen it before but Le Piquet does have an amazing atmosphere and we love return visits!

Lairoux & St Vincent sur Jard

Although there are definitely signs of spring everywhere, the air temperature doesn't seem to agree but we're still managing to get out and about.

One destination was the 'communal' near Lairoux which acts as a bird sanctuary. We were very lucky to see a large number of sacred ibis with their distinctive beaks.

Another day we ventured to St Vincent sur Jard where we found this large group of ducks (we think) on the sea. We enjoyed a lovely walk along the low cliffs, returning along the beach, narrowly avoiding the rising tide, your faithful blogger even managing to take off his jacket!

 

Morning walks

Guess who's on a health kick again? I'm just trying to get fitter for the onslaught of visitors who are very nicely booking in. So it's down to watching what I eat (and DRINK) and getting some exercise in. Don't worry, visitors, I'll still want to play out!

We're very lucky to have the coast and the forest nearby and here are recent photos taken on a couple of beach walks.

The first three photos were taken on La Grière beach, hardly a soul around. Here we can see the bouchots on which mussels grow.

View across the bay

My only company: a seagull!

The next three were taken on La Terrière beach. Here we can see how the waves are attacking the 'stockade'.

There is normally access to the beach here!

My starfish friend on this beach, more dead than alive I think!

You wouldn't know that the footpath on the top of the dunes near us nearly washed away recently, would you?

Belated birthday presents

Matt isn't the easiest to buy birthday presents for but this idea seemed right up his street: a sand yachting lesson. So, six months later, and a similar present for Cynthia in October, we got the phone call last week - we're doing our sand yachting lesson in twenty minutes.

Don't be fooled by the blue skies, there was a bitterly cold wind so we only stayed for a part of the time but one thing was sure, they had great fun!

I'll let the pictures tell the story...

JP&C's new kitchen

With our recent travels to Anglet and Tunisia (don't forget www.tunisiandelights.blogspot.fr) we hadn't seen the cousins' finished kitchen. We had the perfect reason to visit when cousins Annie & Christian came down from Paris for the weekend. The girls sorted everything out so that we all ate at J&M's on Friday, ours on Saturday lunchtime and JP&C's on Saturday evening. Needless to say we've been eating light since!

Lunch at ours - there's never enough to drink chez nous!

JP in full action, champagne bottles to the ready 

Double fridge with double freezer beneath, not to mention a mega wine rack!

The room has really opened out

Stephen's ingenious extras: a spice rack to hide the fuse box...

...and a hidden breakfast bar

C&JP are VERY happy with the transformation...

...as is Tine, licking out the bowl!