Locks on the ile de Ré

Since Medieval times there have been locks which are fishing areas around the lle de Ré where the sea is surrounded by containing stone walls.  The locks break the swell of the tide and protect the shore.  However, there are only about 12 left on the island when at the beginning of the century there were about 140. Building these is an irreplaceable maritime art and took up to between 10,000 and 20,000 man hours as well as the the continual and ongoing maintenance involved.   The stone is naturally fragile without cement.  Of course the removal of oysters from the stones also causes damage.  ADEPIR is a Society for the Protection of these locks and evidently one can volunteer one's services to help maintain the locks. Certain people have fishing licences and rights to collect the fish from these locks. 

Wild Country requires Wild Life

                             

This is the tent I bought last year and used recently on the Ile de Ré.  It's an amazing tent, really quick to establish a snugasabug home on sandy soil.  It has an inner and outer tent. You stake out the floor plan then insert the hooped rods, stake the cords and that's it. Of course it needs a little adjustment as the sand shifts. It's lightweight and great for me!  Little old me reckoned there could be space for some Wildlife in a Wild Country tent!! Wishful thinking! My only criticism was that after a few days it seemed to develop a lot of moisture on the inside of the outer tent, even though one was in the shade of the fir trees. However, humidity levels on the island had gone from WET to steamy hot (woops ... ) even though the westerly WIND was strong.  I managed to get a wind tan whilst cycling when the sun shone HOT.  Before that a rain mac and sunglassses were necessary! The light was bright. I long to go back as I felt at home walking on the beach, tide out, tide in. Of course with family roots from Saintonge maybe that is why! Take a wallet as the eating experience is not inexpensive but amazing! Look at the paella!

English Tea Shop in Angles sur L'Anglin

On the second day of opening Number 15, a Salon de Thé, I sampled green grapefruit tea with an English scone.  Although I make my own there is something very civilised eating one with cream and strawberry jam after a drizzly, morning walk.
With English wallpaper and decor,  a welcoming greeting and a wonderful ambience, the new owners, Nick and Nadia, who, as they say, are on a steep learning curve, provide a little piece of HOME for an expat! or a little English culture for a French resident!
The room is beautifully presented in muted creams and greens with roses in vases on the tables.
The Nina Campbell birdcage wallpaper is a delight as is the pink crockery with tea cups and saucers featuring birdcages.
I wish them every success for the season and hope they may be sometimes open in the Winter!
Postscript:
Cross the bridge to the Low Town and it is on the left! In fact, it has been open for about a month but I have been slow to post!  They serve lunches and beers.
Today I sampled another cream scone AND a chocolate cupcake breaking all my rules as I had been cycling but not far! The sun was shiningly hot. I sat and meditated on how life can be bliss if one does not worry!!!!!!!
I would be delighted to accompany anyone especially if a sturdy walk before or afterwards could be incorporated.  

Too late for a ticket!!!!!!

It's only rock and roll and I like it!
AND HIM!!!

Photo credit to Julian Simmonds / Telegraph

Patrimoine de Pays et des Moulins 16th June 2013

It was extremely interesting to see in a private garden in the village Laireau, a wind turbine constructed at the end of the 19th century, invented by one of the members of the Bollée family who had a foundry to make bells. Other family members invented and made machines and vehicles.
There was an exhibition about these in 2012 at the Musée AutoMotoVelo at Châtellerault. 
You can read the technical information here.

I do like this!

Rabbits!

What a week! It started with the later than anticipated arrival of daughter and granddaughter who were diverted to Limoges on account of an airstrike. Dear Ryanair arranged 4 buses to bring the passengers to Poitiers for 7pm. It was a long day as the two started their journey at 5am and landed chez moi at 20h! Usually my daughter brings the hottest of weathers but this time the rain arrived for their full 3 days although we managed a dry spell on Wednesday. The sun arrived as they departed for more rain and storms in UK!  Ho hum. We've had the most glorious of June weekends. The house was re-arranged to my liking after their visit, mowing of one lawn was essential and I know two more await! The courtyard flowers needed tending and it was a long job to dead head the rambling rose and spray for blackspot and now my Evelyn rose has been infected!!!! Today was Patrimoine and I've thoroughly enjoyed the day. If only I could remind myself of optimism and a lovely world when the Black Spots arrive in my daily life! 
Activity reports will arrive next week.
Meanwhile, isn't this sweet...I wish I had small panes onto the outside world!!!!!! I've just replaced them but when the wooden battens get installed onto the double glazing then I shall hang some small rabbits.  Shall look out for them from now on!!!!!!

Finding a gift

For my son and his wife's first wedding anniversary I found two cotton hearts of counted threadwork as created in my village.

 Les Jours d'Angles ... has existed since about 1850 in this village, where women spent their days pulling threads from silk, cotton, linen and then with needle and thread binding other threads together to form a marquetry of design.  It was used to decorate lingerie as well as other clothing, tablecloths etc...  Today the art is being promoted and protected as PATRIMOINE. You can see women working at the Office du Tourisme and also they offer lessons to those who have the fine point skills and patience for such work. Not I!

Colour in Four chairs and Five fishes

I've worked on the courtyard garden, going to great expense with plants, but still in June, it is dull and lifeless.  With my grand daughter's pending visit and tired of looking at the bare faded green horizontal trellis, which is now awaiting two clematis to grow, I waterproofed these cut-outs made in a former life when I hosted my first ex-pat garden party with about 12 other Brits including children. These were to hang in the trees.  I've no idea why except that I was recuperating from an op and early retirement when the creative spirit needed an outlet!