Luçon cathedral & les Marais

Our next destination: the cathedral at Luçon, where Cardinal Richelieu once served as bishop.

Grey skies and works being done on the roof

The cloisters

Les & Tine, 42 years after their first meeting...

...and Jim & your faithful blogger, 45 years later!

Next day in les Marais (the marshlands) near Jard and the weather's not much better

We only discovered this area late last year and wanted to share it with J&L

There's a footpath meandering through the waterways to La Vinière

Hats off: we're warming up!

The first two photos were taken from the look-out area, bottom right of the screen-shot. The footpath makes its way NW to the village of La Venière (top corner). Thankyou, Google Maps!

In the crypt at Curzon

Golden oldie friends Jim & Les came to stay for the week. We had very unsettled weather the first few days but still managed to get out and about.

Jim makes his way down to the crypt

There are rather strange carvings there...

...and you bump into even stranger folk!

And as you know: I like a good stained glass window!

The next few posts will include Jim's photos as well as mine, so thank you kind sir.

And if you're reading this Richard, we did drive past but saw no sign of life!

Treehouse adventure

What a fantastic joint present from Matt & Cynthia for Tine's birthday and my Father's Day: an overnight stay in a treehouse!

Here we are, snuggled away in the woods

Proper steps to climb - no rope ladders!

Our transport leaves...

...and we find a round bed, with shower behind,

a Flintstones-style wash-basin...

...and even a TV and heating if required (plus shower/toilet behind the door). 

There was also a small kitchen halfway up the stairs

Once settled in off we went exploring...

...watching the more energetic whilst drinking a beer!

Back 'home' and yes, bubbly in the jacuzzi!

Tine had bought in a lovely feast for our evening meal

Next morning breakfast was left in a hamper on the outside table

Sometimes you hoist the hamper up using the pulley, apparently

And off back to La Tranche, just 15 minutes down the road!

Hotch potch

Now there's a new expression for my French readers - Mr Google tells me it's 'fatras'!

A wonderful memory of summer: Nadine with Alfie & Sacha enjoying splashing in the pool

August in La Tranche, and not a person about except for our intrepid souls...

...but we braved the weather!

Surprise visitors this summer: nephew Rémi, brother-in-law Loulou and cousin Jean at a family party 

Alfie loved a try on Loulou's new motorbike...

...and later we enjoyed the digestifs!

As summer draws to a close one last meal at Fafa's before NSA left (and yes, Alfie ate the lot)!

A little late but Nadine & Simon finally enjoyed their birthday presents from earlier in the year...

...sand-buggying...

...and yes, they loved it! 

One night Tine had been star-gazing, leaving the conservatory door open.  What a shock to find on my way to bed: we had a visitor in the shower!

Time for all the visitors to go home, and for us to get into pre-hibernation mode.

To the circus!

I can't say I was over-enthusiastic about going to the circus but indeed I DID go, and what a brilliant show it was! Not a sign of mistreated animals, all looking very healthy, and the whole affair was very professional. It took me back to my childhood and Dad taking us to the circus at Belle Vue near Manchester...

What was even better was going with Vanna, Si and their cousins Graham, Cheryl & family, all up for a good time!

One excited little boy (and Alfie was too)!

It was quite a long show but it kept his attention

Regular readers will know how he loves animals...

...but there's just the elephants and camels on show here. No photos of the white lions, llamas and zebras, or the amazing trapeze artists and acrobats.

On the way back we spotted our own wild animal...

...a coypu (ragondin), quite happy to have his photo taken: they're usually very timid.

Another day Simon, your faithful blogger & Graham enjoy yet another pint at La Paillote Happy Hour...

...whilst Vanna insists on a selfie with me!