July so far - it's been a good 'un!

Well here we are just over the half way point of this lovely summer month.....It's been a lovely month so far, Mr PJP and myself celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary on the 6th we chose to go out to lunch with our gorgeous daughters who presented us with a fabulous memorable gift, a book of greetings from family and friends along with photos that have been taken over the years! My eyes started leaking at one point so touching were the words from our loved ones!

We decided after spending a little time choosing my silver gift to go and explore another town that we have wanted to go to for sometime now, Dissay...we were surprised to find a beautiful château with a moat and many turrets, sadly said Chateau was shutto! So I had to make do with many exterior photographs instead!

fyi The Chateau sits on the Clain River. Built in the 15th century by Pierre d'Amboise, bishop of Poitiers, the château was then enlarged in the 18th century. The water-filled moat reflects the château with its high pure white towers. During your visit you will see the inner courtyard with its polygonal angle turret and the chapel with its wonderful Fountain of Mercy 16th century murals. A walk through the garden designed by Le Nôtre takes you along the paths walked by Kings Francis I and Louis XIV who both stayed here

l'eglise de Dissay was also built in the 15th century by Pierre d'Amboise

It was a scorchio day so we decided to pop to the river as highly recommended by our eldest daughter (another water lover!) We didn't really get chance to wander but I did get chance to try out the zoom on that there new camera - it really has a very powerful zoom! I could actually spend more hours than time allows just watching the dashing beautiful blue beauties - these Damsel flies were pretty much non-stop the whole time we were watching - there is something about nature and water! 

Our anniversary however wasn't over we ended up having "high tea" how posh does that sound? Actually read as chocolate muffins and a glass of water because by then the time was flashing by!

We also managed a lovely lunch out the following day with Ma and Pa S who have put up with me as their daughter in law for the last 25 years and they presented us with a gift of a night away in La Rochelle - we had chosen that weekend to go as it seemed the best all round but by now it was all very real - I do tend to get excited and forget that a night away is just that - and not a week like my "overnight" bag suggested!!

Saturday morning dawned - damp and grey - this wasn't expected it was supposed to be sunny, blue skies and a light breeze!! You will be pleased to know dear readers that by the time we arrived at our destination - a hotel on the port - the sun was very out and the skies were very blue!

our picture window!

As it was actually just past lunch time we headed straight into town and found a lovely little resto where you can buy an omlette for under a fiver, or have a salad for around five euro, in fact the drinks bill was higher than our food bill we were on holiday though so we just smiled and enjoyed the food we have never been round this part of La Rochelle before and you can find a few restos just by the Town Hall that is being restored after an electrical fault started a fire back in 2013...

After a light lunch we decided that we would explore a little more we spotted a church spire in the distance and headed off in that general direction - have to say le Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Esperance was a little unusual on the outside - the amazing spire was just the start - the church is also attached to surrounding houses, the inside however was pretty stunning! The colours of the painted alters and stained glass windows were so pretty and as always the cool, calm feeling a church gives gave us the opportunity to enjoy a moment or two of admiring!

On the way back to the port we hit the market - which was just in the process of packing up but we really couldn't resist a punnet of Cherries and a couple of nectarines....

 We had decided that we would be taking a boat trip out to Fort Boyard we have been wanting to do this since living here but it was always a little pricey for a family ticket so it was always a no-no, however my parents had given us some "treat money" as well soo.....well I am sure you can guess where we went that afternoon....the weather was glorious the breeze was just right (for burning an English rose!) but we loved the trip! View to the Clock Tower from the boat...

There's so much to see on the way to Fort Boyard, firstly the huge amount of boats from the little sailing school ones to the yachts with their billowing sails....a great view of La Rochelle and the set up for the forthcoming "FrancoFolies" and then out to sea....you can see how small Ilê de Ré actually is and in the distance we could see the Lighthouse at the end of Ilê d'Oleron plus I managed to zoom into the old lighthouse at sea!!

Fort Boyard arrived into our view and I swear the boat moved as everyone stood up - fortunately the Pilot did an around about turn so that both sides could see it without tipping over!

We then made our way across to Ilê d'Aix on of the smaller islands - where very few cars get to drive as it's mostly feet that do the work, either by pedal power or by walking! It looked lovely and I have to say we are very tempted to go back and spend the day there with the bikes! 

Then it was back to La Rochelle but not without me getting a proper view of the Old Wooden Lighthouse - another structure that has intrigued me each time we visit! I would love to have got that much closer but to do that - might have to go under sail ;)

SO there our boat ride ended - we'd had a fab two hours enjoying ourselves!

Of course it doesn't end there - we had a fab meal out that evening, a night time ride on the Ferris Wheel and a nightcap by the harbour then a walk around the long way back to our hotel room!



SUNDAY 10th...
Woke bright and early to the sound of...well nothing really the double glazing was pretty effective! However did spot all the yachts leaving the harbour as their weekend of racing was over as well! We had a very enjoyable breakfast on the balcony watching the world go by and then it was off to cram in a few more sights - this time by bicycle not our but the hire ones...and boy are they interesting!!

You can hire these Yello bikes for a couple of hours or for the day - so we split it and went for 7 hours knowing we could then take our time and it didn't matter if we got lost ('cos as you know - we do get lost quite a bit!) SO with a map and directions to the coastal path - we were off...well sort of, boy was it wobbly to start....I put it down to a very low saddle and handlebars - which we rectified promptly but still it was very strange not like my lovely bike at all!! Saddles were comfy, one gear to worry about and thin tyres!! Still we managed to clock up 17 kms whilst out and had a lovely coastal ride - something you don't often get!

We headed back into town, found another lovely resto for our lunch and then walked it off along the new sea wall that has been built recently! Had we thought about it - we would have done that by bike!! Still it was lovely watching the yachts go in and out and there were some rather lovely ones that passed us!

So there's our mini break - and we fitted in so much - but there's so much more to still see and do hopefully we will manage before our 30th anniversary ;) 

Thank you for reading and if you wish to see more photographs please do head over to my Facebook Page Life through the Lens

La Rochelle - Life through the Lens!

It was just like a wonderful Summers day last Sunday (8th) so we decided to jump in the car and head out to La Rochelle, just over an hours drive from us and a relatively easy one at that - the péage is great for us, only a 20 minute drive away and we can get to the coast far quicker and it's not terribly expensive! Although once off the toll road you do end up on a single lane road where just about everyone has to overtake, at one point we nearly had someone overtaking someone overtaking!!

La Rochelle is a city and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay and it is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department. The town has played a huge part in French and English history, from Huguenot rebellions to sieges. In the Hundreds Year war it became part of England. Until the 15th century, La Rochelle was the largest French harbour on the Atlantic coast, dealing mainly in wine, salt and cheese.

 The only thing is I have always loved is that first sighting of the sea, we don't get that the route we take to La Rochelle but even so I could feel the smiles spreading over our faces as we approached the station, knowing that very soon we would be port side in the warmth of the winter sun, feeling the stress leave our bodies and embarking on some "us time" in other words me and the camera ;) *joke* Parking is now a joy as well, the new underground car park is easy to navigate and lots of spaces, so providing you go the right way around and don't mind not getting on the first floor life is good for the car!

Coming out of the car park and yes....seagulls and salt hit the senses - I did point to the direction of a Brocante but lunch was on their minds and that was it! Hitting the harbour wall and I had to stop - this is one of the places that the gulls like to gather and I fancy we had a welcoming flypast!

So calm and serene!

Welcome to La Rochelle!

Over the top - just right for the first couple of shots of the day!

Walking alongside the boats and dreaming that one day - wouldn't it be lovely to go out on one of these? We haven't been on a boat since the "ferry" around to the beach! I miss the fun of sitting on a boat sometimes especially on days such as this one! Sun, warmth, blue skies, calm water and a light breeze! The after taste of salt in your hair and on your lips...oh yes the joys of sailing but I am wandering off track - this is what the sea does to me. Now onward to the "Vieux Port" which will lead us to the eateries of which there are plenty! We did not expect each of them to be packed to the gills though!

We always make a joke here - "take your pick Mr S" 

forgot the bread - oops!

So onto the restaurant of choice Café Leffe - we have been several times before and always enjoyed the food, especially Moules! I sadly think that the did not expect the world and his wife to be out though! We waited rather a long, long, long time....we did try to leave but told to wait just another few minutes - which we did but that turned to another half an hour! Finally our food arrived and so disappointed - clearly the wrong time of year for Moules! Very small and not very tasty (this is our first bad experience so not bad in 10 years!) We have been lucky when we have eaten out and maybe had I not been trying the healthy option the burger would have been the better decision! But we still had quite a fun time - watching the world go by as we sat waiting and waiting!  Eventually after leaving our very apologetic hosts, we went back out into the beautiful sunshine to go for a walk down to a little promenade we discovered a couple of years ago.

Now to spend some time just wandering aimlessly! 

The old Lighthouse

New Ferris wheel!

Through the gates to cross the bridge - soon we will see the sea properly!

We tend to walk out of town for the ice-cream/sorbets - not only much cheaper but you get a seaview whilst enjoying something utterly delish! I almost contemplated Lemon Meringue flavour but went Lime and Rasberry instead and we get to keep the bowl!

OK so we got a little distracted along the way - sorbet time!

Love the way the trees grow!

Whilst enjoying the sorbet and view - it's nice to sit and watch the world go buy, I think sometimes just sitting you see much more. The way the trees grow,  the sea sparkles, and much more...I think next time we may have to go round to to the other side and go on the Ferris wheel!

Another area I wish to see - not sure what the statue is so really should go and find out!

Time started ticking all too fast - the last day of the half term holidays, which as we all know means panic and bedlam once home! So we walked back taking another route back - La Rochelle isn't huge but there is always another route to choose, so this time we stuck to the main walk back to the harbour, which is basically a road of restaurants on either side, in the side roads and above on second floors as well, again nothing much really changes, a new resto that may have opened or one that we liked that has closed down, thrilled to find this bike though - that's new!

Everything looks amazing against that blue sky - but  a lot of renovation works havee been undertaken over the last few years to clean the buildings, all worth it for photos such as these with the colour of the stone against the sky!

Boats coming in accompanied by the Gulls - not as many as we have seen before however - gulls that is not boats!

Homeward bound!

La Rochelle - capital city to Grafitti! and Tasteful artwork it is.

Both Mr S and myself fell in love with this beautiful wooden sailing boat!
But can you imagine how much work that takes to look after?

One more drink and then it was all over far too soon, back to the car and the journey home.....and back to normal until the Easter Holidays arrive :)

I had to take this out of the car window - I love this  building so much La Gare de La Rochelle - so impressive I think!? 

For more photos of La Rochelle please do visit me at https://www.facebook.com/PamelaJaynePhotography 

I can honestly say the skies could not be much different today! Grey and very cold out - but officially it is still winter and we do have a full moon!

We have also had Pollution warnings here in the Poitou Charentes as well - quite high for this time of year, but it didn't stop the Lycéennes roaming the streets of Melle and Niort for Pere Cent.. an unusual way of collecting money these days students collect money 100 days before the BAC to go out and celebrate all dressed  up and giving sweets for "donations" - we even saw Minions on our way to Niort! 

And finally - my Kerria is out! I am so thrilled with these as this is one of a cutting that my very Green-fingered Mum took, it's quite established now, and one of 3, this is however the first to flower! #sunshineflower

Have a fab week!

PamelaJayne

https://www.facebook.com/PamelaJaynePhotography