L'Aiguillon & a walk through the marshes

Back in February long before Tine's recent operation she was getting herself fit at the gym in L'Aiguillon, just down the coast from La Tranche. Being less active (!) I managed  the 'big shop' at the local Super U then went for a stroll by the estuary of the River Lay.

It's hard to forget that fateful night eight years ago when many people lost their lives in Tempête Xynthia. 

It was interesting to see the mussels boat in dry-dock. You can make out the stakes on which the shellfish are farmed.

On the nearby roundabout you can see how the mussels attach themselves to the stakes, wrapped in spiralling rope.

Another day, a walk through the marshes near to chez nous

Heads or tails?!

'Chick chick chick chicken, lay a little egg for me'

Tine's had a replacement hip and Sacha's had a replacement tree, sadly the original not surviving

Number two's looking very healthy and well labelled!

Winter beach walks

As you can see, it's not all blue skies in La Tranche out of season

The information panel explains about 'L'Ecluse à Poissons', a man-made, horseshoe wall of stones that traps fish when the tide goes out. They date from mediaeval times but at least two still exist on the La Tranche beaches (with a little help from volunteers).

The more famous one is near Le Phare (lighthouse) but this one is at La Grière

As the tide went out it became more and more visible

A couple of weeks later and La Belle Henriette nature reserve is well and truly under water, the breach to the sea far right of the photo

Just to show we still have blue skies, here's the beach at Les Conches...

...but a few days later, a very unusual occurrence: SNOW!

Next day that's all there was left

Works in town

Bringing you up to date again, a few more photos of recent changes in town.

Not sure if I've posted this before but this will be the restaurant with the best view in town, just over the way from le Pavillon. Can't say I've seen much evidence of any imminent opening though!

Nearer to us the old tennis courts have been demolished to make way for a new residential area with 26 plots...

...with view from the cycle path.

In front of le Pavillon a big hole has appeared...

...and new plantations by the Côté Bistro restaurant.

The carpark behind Avenue de la Plage has a new surface (that's Sacha's school to the left)

Now there are concrete tanks in the hole and steps in the sand, rather like in the Valley of the Kings!

Mystery solved: these are preparations for a new mirror pool using recycled water. It should look great.

New skatepark

In the second of 'changes' posts here's the new skatepark, very near to chez nous.

The plan is here, for all to see: opening in spring 2018

Early days, landscaping the grounds (that's La Baie d'Aunis campsite in the trees far left)

More recently the park has really started to take shape...

...with many youngsters investigating once the workmen have left for the day.

The anchor's still there, but the two cannons have been moved to the centre in pride of place.

Le Rêve

The old Rêve hotel, long gone, was finally demolished last year and there's been lots of activity there this year.

Engines moving in the cleared site in February...

... some bigger than others. This huge crane has been a permanent fixture...

...and this big boy hoisting whole wall sections into place

Ground floor apartments now discernible...

...and pre-molded staircases just lying around!

Another huge monster appears in March...

...and the first floor apartments can now be made out.

Latest photos from May: they're building upwards at the rear of the construction...

...and a novel way of getting concrete to heady heights.

Martine à l'hôpital

There's a popular series of books in France dating from 1954 until the present, featuring Martine and her adventures. I had to start this post by paying homage to the fictional Martine but also to my very brave Martine.

In 1981 she had her right hip replaced, the surgeon at the time saying it should last about 15 years. 37 years later here she is again but with a more complicated operation and a much longer convalescence.

The day after the operation, Tine managing a smile despite not feeling at all well

A few days later and she's perfecting her selfie skills to prove she's out of bed and in her chair!

Meanwhile we were enjoying wonderfully hot weather. That's La Roche sur Yon beyond the hospital roof tops.

Later that day, intrepid adventure time going down the lift to the hospital entrance

Eight days after the operation she's back home...

...and catching up with Big Dave at La Paillote Happy Hour.

Next day at the Starfish, I couldn't find Tine but Spiderman was to hand!

And look what June sent: a huge bag of wool. There's going to be some serious knitting & crochet work done during her long convalescence.

Meanwhile Nurse Dave is coping well, if you were wondering!