Sunday 19th April

The appointed day, and family re-union at Newbury.



A total of eight cousins plus one uncle managed to make it out of a potential total of 16 cousins.



. . .with spouses (Mar took the picture!)



Uncle Norm and Mar



cousins Debbie and Marilyn



cousins Rosemary, Janet and David.

Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April

Last days in Conac, before departing for the UK.



A stroll overlooking the Gironde Estuary.



Then down onto the marshes, to see the storks nesting.



Windmills on almost every hilltop.



Wisteria climbing to the roof . . . .



. . . . and a final, fond farewell

Monday 13th April and on



Our final destination for the balance of our holidays . . .
Chez Brown - St Thomas de Conac, the south extremity of the Bordeaux region.



Ooverlooking the Gironde, which we can see from our bedroom window.



Time to debate . . .



. . . kick back and relax . . . .



. . . walk the local brocante . . .



. . .wait patiently for a playmate . . .



. . . work on a school project . . .



. . .or simply enjoy the garden.

Sunday 12 April

Time to leave our stately home of the week. A few interior views . . . not, I hasten to add, our particular rooms. But all part of the ambionics :)



Maralyn communicating with home base . . .

Saturday 11th April

Still cool and overcast, but no rain. We’re undaunted, and head north to Biarritz, for a little visit. The Atlantic provides some of the best surfing in Europe, but not for us, thank you.





South again, this time to Hendaye, the extreme southwest of France. A short ferry ride, and we’re across again into Spain, to the 13th century fortified town of Fontarabie.



For lunch!





Why is it, we always seem to be eating? Because the food is just sooo good.

Friday 10 April

Rain! Wind and rain all day today . . .so ideal for a car tour of the region. First, a visit to Socoa. Just south of the town the folded schist rock cliffs stand against the Atlantic, worn down like old teeth, into a pattern of flaky chocolate.





Down into the town, and along the harbour wall, where the sand stretches the length of the bay, guarded by the 17th century fort that I’m sure did equal duty against the Spanish as well as the English.





Then up, into the hills and les villages du Pays Basque interieur, spirits undampened by the weather.



Sare, trans-frontier Bourg, and one of the many totally charming villages visited.





So close to the border with Spain that we inadvertently crossed, and found Jesus for sale! Serge, one for the Newsletter.



Finally, back to our Chateau, dry out, and freshen up in our turret bathroom.

France - Easter 2009

Thursday 9 April 2009

Arrived at Bordeaux airport the evening before, the only airport we’ve ever seen with a mini-vineyard growing outside the terminal building. This must surely be wine country . . .

Picked up the rental car – made in Spain, and all instructions in Spanish. Europe – eh! Overnight at the salubrious Stars Hotel (all two of them) for a surprisingly comfortable night sleep.



Away early this morning on our Basque adventure. The main highway takes us south through Les Landes and a stop for a morning coffee in the quiet town of Leon.



On through Bayonne, then the Atlantic coast-road, towards St Jean-de-Luz and our destination for the day, the Chateau d’Urtubie.



Couldn’t ask for a better place to stay. Comfortable, soaked in history, great host and excellent location for a couple of days touring the area. Our second floor room is in the 14th Century part of the castle, and our bathroom in the turret!

2 March 09 . . . and our last full day on Elbow Cay

On the road, 2mph and MelaLady to the rescue . . .



and a last stroll around Hope Town





A final stroll on the beach



a final snorkel (darn, these things are snug)



A few more rays of sun, and heat



. . . . until next time!