The Easter Holidays

I can't remember the last time it was this cold here in Brittany, certainly not at Christmas!

We have been fortunate to have a couple of clear days hours, with some sunshine, though little warmth.

I managed a sunny beach walk, and am delighted that I actually had my camera with me.  As you can see the beaches were empty, and you can almost imagine a warm temperature with the startling blue sky.  What the photographs do not portray is the stunningly cold wind that accompanied the sunshine.  I was muffled under a coat, hat, scarf and sheepskin gloves while I took the photographs.   Luckily the dog was unconcerned with the cold and had a wonderful time running across the sand.

Golden frozen sands

Empty

Perfect

No-one around

Clambering?

"Now which way shall I run?"

Gathering Seaglass

After the stormy weather we expected to be able to pick up some beautiful seaglass, as well as the new beach my husband and daughter had discovered we returned to our old stomping ground, the original Sea Glass Beach.

Despite the cold and damp, we searched the edge of the sea and filled our pockets with treasure.

Once we returned home we emptied the glass onto a white plate, the better to see it.

So lovely, beautiful, calming to look at.

Another amazingly orange shell!

I love the pieces of pottery that you can discover

Perfect

Sometimes we have to guess, is this manmade, or nature?

Emerald greens

A white stone and green pottery

A few specks of sand on a piece of glass

Where is it from? What does it say?

Who lived here?

How can we use this?

A drop of glass

Wonderful

Peaceful

Better Weather

The last few days have been so much better!  We still have leaden skies, but the rain and wind have ceased!

Hopefully, we'll have a calm crossing on the ferry tomorrow night as we journey home!

A little daylight is so much better for photos!

Doesn't the sea look inviting?

The waves are still huge though!

Pleasant from a distance

The sand is covered in seaweed from the storms

Would be great for my skin, or to eat, if I knew what to
do with it!

Calm, calm, calm!

Happy New Year

I always post some pictures of our beach, here in Brittany.  You can see it's rather bleak at the moment.

As the nuns who taught me at  my seaside Convent School would have said, "Bracing Dear, and very good for you!"

We have managed a few walks in between squalls, and the weather is supposed to be improving, we are watching the barometer with interest and anticipation!

Happy New Year to you and yours,

Best Wishes 

Jude x

Leaden skies and sea

Still stunningly beautiful

My daughter gazing out at the ocean
(the raincoat was mine when I was a child - so over
40 years old - impressive thriftiness for 2013!)

Seaweed uprooted from the seafloor and thrown on the
sand by the violent storms

Cold and bleak

Only the sound of curlews, gulls
and the constant thud of the sea.

Maison Cote Ouest

When in France, I love to buy and read this magazine.  I find it helps my (still very poor) French and the photographs of interiors of houses are so inspiring.  Additionally there is lots of lovely recipes and information about cultural events.

Last  month was the 100th edition of the magazine and it had lots of great articles.  It is available in London, I have bought it from Harrods and the French Bookshop in South Kensington.  If you are interested in Brittany or other regions in the west of France I do recommend it.

Summer Sunset

With a small child we don't often get down to the beach for sunset, but just once in a while we manage it.

I don't think I need to say much more....

Breton Cheval

Driving home with a car packed full of groceries, I noticed a sign to Breton Cheval.  Now I love horses, as does my six year old, so it took us only moments to persuade my husband to follow the signs.  We found a field with a huge gathering of farmers and their horses, these wonderful animals are still used for ploughing and other farm work here in Brittany and we had obviously come across a get together where the horses would be judged.

Being British, we had arrived at lunchtime, so there was not  much activity, just a few people grooming their horses, while most ate picnics.

We will try and visit for the judging during the afternoon next year.  But of course, I wanted to share some photographs of this delightful sight with you.

Foals happily munching on the newly cut hay

So sweet

And a quick whinney, hello!

The foals did not want to be parted from their mothers

The manes and tails of the adult horses were being plaited

This foal seems to want to get out of the trailer

More horses arriving, and the farmers use their tractors to
pull the trailers

This foal was not tethered

Not a problem as their was no intention to leave
Maman

So beautiful and placid, for such large, strong creatures

Most are a deep chestnut colour, this white horse was unusual

I just loved this foal