Daylight saving finishes next weekend. Dawn at about 8 am, no traffic and shutters on the windows have meant some late sleeps! We have certainly appreciated the long evenings. The usually 2 hour shutdown of many things at lunchtime means later opening in the evenings.
This posting begins with a reminder that we are missing some special family events. Paula, Thomas & Hannah visited Hawkes Bay and so the adults (except busy farmer Brendon) and grandchildren enjoyed time together again. No missing the next gathering for us! This photo was taken in the cherry tree at St Georges Rd.
We can name one St Michael who is not a chef-chef!!
Wild cyclamen
This bridge nearby crosses the mouth of the Loire River and we crossed it several times to visit the area in the north.
Salt beds flooded with fresh water for their winter maintenance. This area has extensive fresh and saltwater marshes. Producing salt is ancient industry.
Le Croisic, our first small town. No information in English here. Less English is spoken further away from borders and major tourist areas. More challenging for us with only Kay's 50 year old French and a phrase book! However Philippe spoke enough English for us to have some good conversations.
Caught in the act. Believe it or not this is Mike's favourite shop!
Philippe took us to a winery. The industry is huge in this region, producing Muscadet wine. This vineyard has 30 hectares of grapes. They very rarely have frosts at the crucial time so no helicopter protection here!
Wild cyclamen
This bridge nearby crosses the mouth of the Loire River and we crossed it several times to visit the area in the north.
Salt beds flooded with fresh water for their winter maintenance. This area has extensive fresh and saltwater marshes. Producing salt is ancient industry.
Le Croisic, our first small town. No information in English here. Less English is spoken further away from borders and major tourist areas. More challenging for us with only Kay's 50 year old French and a phrase book! However Philippe spoke enough English for us to have some good conversations.
Caught in the act. Believe it or not this is Mike's favourite shop!
Philippe took us to a winery. The industry is huge in this region, producing Muscadet wine. This vineyard has 30 hectares of grapes. They very rarely have frosts at the crucial time so no helicopter protection here!
The tide goes well out in Pornic. (The castle is privately owned – no visits.) Here we had a difficult time trying to find a particular shop but no trouble finding well signed McDonalds!
Traditional fishing
As always we enjoyed the old villages
Entry through St Michel's Gate to the old town of Guerande. (This name appears a lot around here!)
A view through the gate.
Chocolate is also a specialty in this area.
Old and modern kinds of windmills are seen around here.
Traditional fishing
As always we enjoyed the old villages
Entry through St Michel's Gate to the old town of Guerande. (This name appears a lot around here!)
A view through the gate.
Chocolate is also a specialty in this area.
Old and modern kinds of windmills are seen around here.
The village of Kerhinet has been restored and people in the area are encouraged to have thatching on new houses too.
A communal bread oven in the village.
A communal bread oven in the village.
The marshes have canals through them and some parts are used for seasonal farming. Boating is a common way to travel. (Mike calls this one of Kay's arty farty photos!)
A view of Ile de Noirmoutier from its small castle.
The island is very close to the mainland & is usually reached by
bridge. On the way home we used the 18th century causeway, only available at low tide.
It is well signed posted! (including a board of tide times, etc).
This old thatched bourrine, built in 1900, was lived in until 1977. There were no trees (soil too salty) or stone available in this area to build houses.
The island is very close to the mainland & is usually reached by
bridge. On the way home we used the 18th century causeway, only available at low tide.
It is well signed posted! (including a board of tide times, etc).
This old thatched bourrine, built in 1900, was lived in until 1977. There were no trees (soil too salty) or stone available in this area to build houses.
Another “pile of rocks” for Kay. This is a 6000 year old burial tomb, one of the largest in France.
Mike was just as interested in the view from the other side!
At night the light from this Laterne des Morts at Les Moutiers-en-Retz shows where the cemetry is.
A typical 'young' Frenchman riding down our street. Kay was really disappointed that she didn't learn to ride a bike when she was young!
Mike was just as interested in the view from the other side!
At night the light from this Laterne des Morts at Les Moutiers-en-Retz shows where the cemetry is.
A typical 'young' Frenchman riding down our street. Kay was really disappointed that she didn't learn to ride a bike when she was young!