Beach walks

Since joining the Fitbit gang I have been somewhat obsessed with walking my 10,000 steps each day. I have to say I'm pretty successful when at home in La Tranche, but who wouldn't be when the weather's good and the beaches are 10 minutes away?

It's 20th October (happy birthday, sis) and sunrise isn't too early... 

...but shadows are long!

Further round the bay to 'our' beach and a view of l'embarcadère... 

...and further still looking towards le Pavillon.

A few days later and there's an equally beautiful sunset

Some days Tine accompanies me...

...especially when there's a very high tide to witness.

Very high tide means very low tide too. Can you spot the people doing 'pêche à pied' (collecting their seafood starters) from the rock pools?

Those of you with good eyesight might make out the 'bouchôts' where mussels are farmed and harvested in the local tradition

Birthdays

So, back to La Tranche and back to our fun-packed social life. Do children's parties count?

There were plenty of excited children at Matt & Cynthia's new home to celebrate Sacha's 5th birthday

Sacha is mad on pirates, and there was a pirate-themed treasure hunt with team captains Cynthia...

...and Matt.

The adults stayed around the cakes and beers...

...whilst the kids later enjoyed Sacha's playroom.

A few days later we helped junior cousins Charles & Mathilde celebrate Lola's first birthday...

...here with help from big brother Jules to blow out the candle.

Tine catching up with cousins Catherine & Jean-Pierre

There was even great-Mamie Monique to oversee activities!

A quick visit to the East Coast

We were nearing the end of our stay back in the UK (complete with sneaky holiday in Menorca) but we couldn't resist an overnight stop chez Norma in her new weektime home near Filey.

First stop Scarborough with memories of family holidays there as a child

Fishing is still big business...

...as this wonderful sculpture depicts.

Tut tut, Tine with two glasses of rosé

Next morning Norma left for work and we started exploring

First stop, Cayton Bay, and look at that perfect sky!

Evidence that the East Coast is crumbling into the sea

Second and last stop, Filey, a resort I'd never visited before

I took this photo for the people behind, not la belle Tine. They were obviously having  a great time!

Tine's latest friend, 12 ft (3.6 m) tall Finlay, named by a local junior school pupil in a competition

And so another trip back 'home' comes to an end...

...but look at the fantastic sunset waiting for us in Portsmouth... 

...not to mention our regular last drink in our favourite pub.

Adios Menorca

They say all good things come to an end, but like nearly all our holidays we end up saying 'we'll be back'.

Firstly a few circles that caught my eye!

I loved this sign above a restaurant in Es Castell. Sacha would too as he's pirate mad!

This Aztec-looking sign/sculpture we saw in Mahon

A beautiful stained glass window in the sanctuary at El Toro

 

Here's Tine's plate, Nicole: lunch at Fornells

Some of the jellyfish we saw on several (but not all) beaches

We were also intrigued by the system of drainpipes we saw on the island. Would like to have seen them in action in a storm...or perhaps not!

Our last night and the special seafood/fish dish I DIDN'T choose. Mo & Tine tucked in though.

We had an early get-up on the last day, but there was still time for a few photos.

Our spacious dining/games playing areas: indoors...

...and out.

A last look at the house from the pool...

...and the pool itself (the automatic filter not on yet).

Finally, the gang of four: Mo, Helen, Tine et moi. To be repeated, I hope.

Thanks to Helen & Tine for their photographs, liberally used here too!

Cala Galdana & Cala Macarella

Mo did most of the driving but one day I ventured out to Cala Galdana with Helen & Tine leaving Mo at the AirBnb. After the obligatory coffee we sauntered to the beach and the sun returned.

Who fancies a pedalo complete with slide?

Cala Galdana beach is in the distance, but Tine & I wandered along the coastal path...

...with excellent views...

...to Cala Macarella, only accessible on foot.

There my Bond beauty, after posing (of course)...

...went for a dip in the inviting waters...

...before the trekked back to sun-bathing Helen.