Yorkshire Christmas & New Year

Christmas morning at Nadine & Simon's

Alfie über-excited...

...Betty more intrigued!

Sorry Gina: you were there too

Nad's beautifully decorated Christmas cake 

We brought Alfie back to the caravan for a couple of nights

Getting rid of some energy in the playpark 

Shortly after midnight, fireworks all along the valley. Sadly I can't get a video to upload.

Alfie watching the sun rise on a new year

Later we were joined by the rest of the Hills, and Phil & Gina

Typical Yorkshire fields with their dividing walls on our way to...

...Brontë Falls above Haworth.

Still no photo of Gina. I promise she was there!

Back to Yorkshire (again)!

Yes, we can't keep away, but we wanted to share Nadine & Simon's first Christmas in their new home (last year they were in Hastings).

First of all a full English breakfast with Steve in Bingley. You don't need to eat until the evening after this!

We were lucky to catch Before Breakfast (tenuous link there)  performing at their Christmas concert in Sheffield

Here Gina and the girls are performing with G's Neighbourhood Voices choir. What a stunning evening!

Sunrise at the caravan...

...before walking down through the trees to Saltaire.

Saltaire United Reformed Church paid for by Sir Titus Salt in the mid-19th century 

Part of his village (the old hospital on the right) with our campsite hidden in the mist on the moors

The chimney to Salts Mill, a popular destination now with its Hockney exhibitions, book shop, gifts and cafés

More beach walks

Not a very original post but there's not much goes on around here at this time of year...

...except for my daily walk. 10,000 steps don't happen without a bit of effort! 

Shorter December days = good silhouettes on the jetty.

Kite-surfers are still out and about.

But eventually the day gives way to night...

Another day and a much angrier sky...

...with waves to match.

It's dull again on la Plage des Génerelles but the sanderlings haven't noticed 

A couple of days later and it's back to blue

Bigger waves have eaten into the beach near le Pavillon

The beach by le Parc du Rocher...

...and the low tide has uncovered an 'écluse à poissons' (a fish trap)...

...a horseshoe-shaped construction made from rocks, the originals dating from medieval times. 

Several have been reconstructed but I'm not sure how much they're used these days 

Yet another mixed bag

We've had quite a mild late autumn/early winter, perfect for these creatures...

...yes, the processionary caterpillars...

...which might be fascinating, but are very destructive and harmful to wildlife.

Early dusk doesn't spoil apéritifs at the Starfish...

...walking past the floodlit church...

...and walking back in full moonlight!

The square by le Pavillon is looking better...

...with new plantations and le Villa bar/restaurant now open...

...and looking great just after sunset.

Meanwhile work has started on l'Avenue de la Plage...

...La Tranche's busiest road in full summer...

...not a soul to be seen in November!

Very high tides

Mid-November saw the sea in all its power shifting sand along the bay. Having seen this phenomenon in previous years I'm feeling very confident for next summer so no worries!

The removal of sand was very noticeable by l'Équinoxe (photo taken from the summer lifeguards' post)

Tine might not be tall but she's very useful as a measuring stick!

This is where I join the beach on my regular walk...

...at le Parc du Rocher near Sainte Anne.

I even managed to manoeuvre this drop...

...despite my ageing years!

Another day, this time along la Plage des Génerelles

It's a couple of days late but Happy New Year to my faithful followers!