A visit to Figeac

We took Philippe & Jade down to Figeac to catch up with family. Matt decided to come too, sharing the driving. Brilliant!

Phil & Sylvie at Rémi's bar/club, Les Canailles

Rémi was very proud to show us his new apartment in this building

It had lots of space and quirky features...

...including this fireplace that had been boxed in.

The view from his window, overlooking our Sunday morning bar, Le Champollion.

Another view of the building from the inner courtyard...

...before heading for the recently renovated covered market in the town centre.

Back to my in-laws for apéritifs: Sylvie, Matt, Rémi & Loulou. Tchin tchin!

Phil & Jade come to stay

Philippe didn't make it to La Tranche over Christmas so it was great that he & Jade flew over in February.

Sacha teaching P&J the art of fossil-hunting on the beach at Le Rocher.

Some of their finds!

Matt joined us too.

We took them to see the view of the marshes at l'Observatoire des Marais...

...a screenshot from Google Maps showing the extent of the adapted marshlands, now used for pasture and fishing (particularly eels).

Back to La Tranche (but not for long)

It's now the end of January/beginning of February as we relax back into our usual routines.

Daily walks along the beach...

...sometimes with extra-added Canada geese, flying in formation of course.

One of the old groynes, practically disappeared in winter high seas.

There's always time for a drink, Tine at Le Comptoir with Mehdi & Harri, our Finnish friend.

One day we woke up to the sound of workmen not far away...

...and were very surprised to find Ghostbusters on the roof of Vendée Marine, the boat 'garage' near us.

Apparently the whole roof had asbestos (amiante) which has to be removed with great care.

Last morning and a couple of extras

We loved Lanzarote, perhaps not for everyone with its severe landscape.

Tine definitely enjoyed the all-day crêpes!

Another view looking back at Playa Blanca from Yaiza...

...where we saw a man balancing rocks.

Some of his creations.

This boat washed up overnight apparently. It would take a few €€€ to get it shipshape again.

A couple of beautiful buildings in Yaiza...

...and Tine having a final swim.

Arrecife

Nearing the end of our stay we decided to use the public service bus to venture up the east coast to Arrecife, the capital city of the island.

There were some great statues/creations. I'm not sure what this represented, just two boys having fun!

This 11m skeleton of a whale stranded on Tenerife in 1995...

...conveniently opposite a bistro. Well, you know us!

Walking on, the volcanic backdrop always there.

Two more statues, the first representing Hemingway's 'The Old Man & the Sea'...

...and the second of local hero César Manrique, an artist who promoted high quality tourism on the island. To this day there are only high-rise buildings constructed before his intervention.

We walked on, over this drawbridge to the Castillo de San Gabriel, a castle constructed to fight off pirates

This cannon definitely had its sight on the high-rise block!

San Ginés Church, outside & in

Finally a spot of lunch in a lovely back-street bistro.

Boat trip to Fuerteventura (2)

The return journey was eventful to say the least!

A look back over the strait to Lanzarote...

...and the weather's looking ominous!

The crew cleared the decks and constantly checked that everyone was safe.

But the view remained amazing

Oooph, back safe and sound!