Ile de Ré. June 1, 2016
Cold front on the Atlantic coast, it is freezing in Ars-en-Ré. Got the fireplace going and the books out.....
The sun is back, Yahoo!
Afternoon at Trousse-Chemise, our favorite beach at the tip end of the Island, near Les Portes-en-Ré.
At low tide from Trousse-Chemise, you have a superb view over the "Banc des Bûcherons"..
The new farmer's market in La Flotte is now competing with Ars' market. More delicious local produces for our cooking spree.
Isabelle La Bicyclette - une production du plat-pays!
Dinner with the Potiers at Restaurant La Cible in Saint Martin-de-Ré. New owners, the food is great and the "vue imprenable" from the fantastic location right on the beach.
Visit of the Monney's from Austin - Jean-Claude (aka Ferréol) and Janelle. First order of priority: Celebrate Ferréol's birthday with a kick-ass candle and a delicious Saint Honoré.
After having enjoyed a home-made Mouclade (upon request of Ferréol). This was the third trial of team Fay: it is getting pretty, pretty, pretty good!
Mille millions de mille sabords! Bande d'ectoplasmes de tonnerre de Brest!
The weather remains uncertain and rather chilly but not enough to stop us from pedaling throughout the Marais Salants.
Opening the appetite for a delicious dinner au Chat Botté in Saint-Clément des Baleines.
A unique breed of donkeys can be found grazing in the moats of Saint-Martin: The Rasta Donkey (aka les ânes sans culottes).
Saint-Martin harbor is a great example of the fortifications designed by Vauban - Louis XIV's military architect.
Change of shift: Monney's farewell dinner (sniff) and Ann & Rocco's welcome diner (yeah) at Ô de Mer in Ars-en-Ré.
Ann and Rocco are rediscovering the pleasure of bicycling with long rides in the Marais Salants.
and enjoying barbecues Ile-de-Ré style. Ann introduces us to the "Oysters Popping" on the fire: No more hand shucking! Thank you, Ann.
Witnessing a very emotional celebration in Les Portes of the anniversary of L'appel du 18 Juin 1940 - The call from London of the General Charles de Gaulle launching the French Resistance.
Rocco is making friends at the Ars market - Rocco and Pierre going back to childhood on the market's carousel, a natural and easy step! Agathe and Arthur loved going on the same carousel 30 years ago: Le manège "en chanteur" de Donin.
Numerous trip to Saint-Martin: Rocco needs his sugar fixes and becomes the best customer ever of L'atelier La Martiniére - The famous local purveyor of Ice-Cream Macarons.
Followed by long walks arond the arbor discussing the world's affairs.
Belotte and Rebelotte! Ann and Rocco discover this traditional french card game: Passionate times that will not be forgotten!
Le Senechal, the very quaint and charming hotel in Ars with all its dependences.
Even the best times have an end and we are waiving bye-bye to Ann and Rocco.
Keeping in memory these great time spent with Austin friends showing them Pierre's childhood summer place.
Time for a last sunset bicycle ride:
We are getting ready for Greece (with first, a stop in Saint-Jean-de-Luz)
