Choo Choo!
We decided to go off for the afternoon to La Tranche Sur Mer. When the children were small it was our favourite place for a day at the ‘seaside’. Perhaps it was because the tide was out and because it was the end of the season, it’s just not the same any more. To cheer ourselves up we decided to take a trip on the train.

It’s amazing what you can learn on a little train ride. La Tranche doesn’t really go back much before the early fifties when the old wooden lighthouse, which was blown up in the war, was rebuilt. The soil is very sandy but despite that there are lots of allotments where vegetables are grown. You should have seen the beautiful pumpkins! Most of the houses are second homes and as the train driver didn’t point out any famous names we presume there isn’t anyone of note there. He seemed to toot and wave at everyone and most people waved back. He stopped and pointed out a restaurant where the best seafood is served all the year round and everyone dashed out to greet him (I wonder how much he was paid for that?). We were also taken through some forest which we didn’t know was there.

If we’d have been with Dom or Olivier they would never had let us go on the train, so perhaps it wasn’t so bad they don’t come with us anymore. After that we went and had steak and set off for our traditional walk on the jetty. It was closed off completely. It’s made of wood and I suppose is not safe anymore. I think the next time we go it will be with grandchildren, we’ll certainly take them on the train

Where we have been
We went off to Vendee yesterday, it's the department just above ours. Rob wanted to visit one of his colleagues who has just had her thyroid removed. They had to remove it because it would have blocked off her windpipe. (Are you listening Liz) She is so pleased she's had it done, there is just a very narrow scar which should be almost invisible this time next year. I was surprised to hear she is on exactly the same dose of Levothyrox as I am.

We then visited La Tranche-Sur-Mer which is our favorite beach, quite a few shops have re-opened, the season has begun. After eating we watched the surfers catching the last waves before the tide went out.

When we got home there was an e-mail waiting for us from Dom. She's now in St. Petersburg and really loves it. If all goes to plan we should pick her up at midnight on Saturday.

The Weekend
was hot,hot,hot. We spent Saturday at La Tranche Sur Mer again. Got burnt this time, Olivier asked me to walk along the beach with him for a while and look for good waves, I forgot to cover up!! We discovered a new restaurant, fortunately we ate reasonably early as everyone else has discovered it too.
Sunday, Rob and I went for a long walk, I've got a very red nose.

La tranche Sur Mer is our favourite sea side place. If you're into surfing (on water) look here. We had a great day although it was quite windy. The picnic was a bit sandy.
Olivier had his first trampolining experience of the beach. He says it's just like flying. He didn't want to try out sumersaults- this time!