Cataract operations and life gets back to normal

2020's been quite a momentous year so far: please let it all calm down.
I had cataract operations mid-January and mid-February in a hospital on the outskirts of Nantes. It was quite a trek each time but I was more than happy with the surgeon and my treatment (not forgetting the health system in France).

Post-operation photo to send to the kids to prove I'd survived. I was ready for my snack I can tell you!

Back on the beach, the lame leading the partially-sighted...

Trying some ski moves: thanks for lending me the sunglasses, Monique. It didn't half seem bright after the operation.

Just a few medications to keep me going

Second eye done and Dick's here in competition with his Starfish beermat eyepatch

A couple of weeks later and I've chosen my new specs!

I can't say the operations were pleasant but I'm so glad I did it, my long vision is really good without glasses but this boy loves to read.

Meanwhile the tide comes in and the tide goes out. Here we have the jetty in the background on a misty day.

Look carefully. Can you see the processionary caterpillars making their way from the nest down the tree trunk?

I posted a photo of Canada geese in flight recently...

...here they are on the water's edge another day, obviously enjoying fishy takings!

Return to Figeac & Grun-Bordas

This time for a sad reason, saying good-bye to Tine's step-mum Francine who died a few days before. These events are quickly organised in France which meant we could attend, just days before my first cataract operation.
As usual with such occasions it was lovely to catch up with family and friends once the sad part was over.

Of course we had to celebrate la Fête des Rois in the traditional way with Loulou... 

...niece Caroline...

...and Tine with their Minion crowns.

I took a few photos on my mission to achieve 10,000 steps

There aren't many people about at this time of year

Le Château de Montfort at Vitrac in the Dordogne valley on our way to call in on Anil, Anita & Arun 

No photos of our friends this time, but an amazing sunset silhouetting the trees...

...and a similar view next morning.

Christmas and New Year odds & ends

Here we go again: a random assortment around Christmas/New Year.

A mild winter meant an early appearance of the unpopular but interesting processionary caterpillars...

...and seasonal migrating Canada Geese in beautiful formation.

The traditional Christmas meal in France is on 24th December

This year we were invited to Matt & Cynthia's, along with C's family

A beautiful place setting...

...and two Mamies and a Great-Grandma tucking in!

(Extra bonus: you can see the inside of M&C's house!)

We saw clumps of pousse-pieds ('gooseneck barnacles') on a walk on the beach at l'Aiguillon. The tentacles were shifting as in a horror film! They're a sought-after delicacy (but not for me, of course).

27th December and Alfie was happy to find his bunk bed, complete with Christmas stocking left by Father Christmas a couple of days before

Queen Betty's already eaten her slice of the Galette des Rois, the traditional dessert for 12th Night, the Feast of the Three Kings. It looks like she found the hidden charm!

Alfie dressed for winter weather

He's not the fastest walker, too busy inspecting everything en route (as we say in English). Better get home before those shadows turn to night! 

Works on the beach near Parc Eden Roc

The usual turn-around spot on my regular walk is at a 'private' housing estate called Parc Eden Roc. I'm not sure how or why it's private but I haven't been arrested yet!
One day in mid October I arrived to find lots of activity just above the beach.

Piles of wooden stakes...

...and bales of straw. 

Down on the beach things start to become clearer...

...with diggers creating trenches and other machines pushing the stakes into the sand in rows either side of the trench...

...to be followed by positioning of the bales of straw between the rows of stakes.

A couple of weeks later and things are looking complete...

...but not everywhere. There's still work to be done.

Five weeks later, the machines have gone and the beach is ready for the next spring tide ('grande marée').

Oops, back in time we go again! (2)

More visits with 'Er from Brittany

This time we're at La Chapelle Notre-Dame de Cran, not far from Sulniac and Treffléan

Inside there are some wonderful frescos of the crucifixion, dating from 1594

Next day we wander around Questembert...

...with evidence of Toussaint (All Saints Day on 1st November), many graves adorned with chrysanthemums, a tradition in France.

Stained glass windows and the wonderful patterns they make are very difficult to photograph

T'es d'accord, Nicole? https://coxigrue.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/rodez/