Back to South Yorkshire

It was time to take AlfnBets back to Dronfield after a few days with old Mamie & Papy (and very well behaved they were too).

Cynthia saw how intrigued by one of Sacha's toys they both were...

...and it was an exciting moment when they opened their packages in the car.

Not as exciting as on the ferry though. 'Do you mean we're going to eat and sleep on the berry?' as Betty said!

(We tried to repeat the pose a few weeks later on our way back to France.)

Happy to be back in Dronfield, Betty all kitted out to show her cycling skills...

...and enjoying a bit of (not) hot stone treatment. At least it kept her still for a short while!

We drove over to Tickhill near Doncaster to see old friends Pauline & David.

Well, we have known each other for over 50 years...

...let's drink to that!

There's an old castle in Tickhill but it's privately owned and rarely open to visit

The church with its ancient graveyard was open though!

Later in the evening Pauline dug out some authentic lederhosen

They drowned David...

...not to mention Tine!

Creatures & grandchildren

 You can decide which is which!

Let me introduce you to my wasp-buster wife…

…and the FORMER nest in the eaves. Fingers crossed that they don’t return next year

We had an extra guest just before Nadine & co arrived: Mr Hedgehog decided to visit our living room but we eventually caught him and transferred him back to the garden in a bucket!

A regular visitor is Mr Toad, here beneath the outdoor shower enjoying the cool of the morning

Now this activity’s not for me but Nadine, Alfie & Sacha loved having their feet nibbled by fish

A photo doesn’t really fit with the rest but I love Alfie’s beach-bum look on a misty morning

Betty, Sacha & Alfie on lookout duty at the Starfish…

…not many people to see though (it was quite late at night)!

A couple of swashbucklers for fancy dress day at Summer School

It’s nearly time for our departure back to England (Nadine & Simon left earlier for a wedding in Sheffield) and Cynthia looked after the youngsters so that we could prepare for the journey.

They obviously had a zen time…

…and a drink and snack for a treat.

Time for one last dip before leaving. I think we’ve finally exhausted them!

The Coups come to Trenchtown

Debbie was a support assistant in my previous life and we hit it off from Day One so it was great news when she & Mark said they were coming to stay for a week at a local campsite. The pandemic got in the way but they finally made it in 2022!

5&1/2 years later we had to recreate the pose

I promise we behaved in the classroom!

Once again the Starfish was a good meeting place. Here Tine is chatting to long-term foster-son Ollie...

whilst the other two Jaden & Lexie drink Matt dry!

Alf & Bets were more than happy to show the smaller ones the delights of our carousel

Just look at the walk home along the front...

...it's still as hot as ever!

Family fun continues

Of course that means plenty of excursions to the Starfish...

...and rides on the carousel.

It was so hot that night that people were still lying on the beach under the moon!

A few days later and it's a different story at O'Gliss Park where Alfie, Betty & Sacha look a little cold...

...but an enforced smile is possible!

Philippe's wondering what's in the treasure trove chez Matt, Cynthia & Sacha

He soon finds out...

...Sacha very proud of his hiding skills!

The youngsters' house is looking a bit bare: there's lots of sorting out to be done for the new renovations (more in a future post)...

Philippe & Simon arrive to join in the fun

The tent’s gone up. It can only mean one thing: extra sleeping space needed!

Betty and Mamie enjoying a pre-arrival cuddle

I spied on the boys' plane as it was approaching La Rochelle airport...

...not knowing that Philippe was spying on us in La Tranche!

Straight to the paddle board, that's Phil to the left of the photo...

...and a bit nearer in his Mowgli pose.

For his last birthday we bought Alfie a week's course learning to sail an optimist

On the last day they ventured out onto the sea

Alfie got a bit separated from the rest of the group but a friendly instructor came to the rescue...

...and he was soon on dry land again.

Meanwhile back at the house we're enjoying shenanigans in the pool to keep cool.

Proud Papy with this year's grandchildren shot