A New Toy...

We have bought ourselves a new toy... from Aldi where else!!

It's a waterproof wildlife camera and like all other electrical goods from that store, it has a 3 year warranty. It takes both HD video and photographs. Interestingly it is available this week both in the UK and France BUT with a price difference... £70 against €100...

We have only done a couple of tests with it here in the UK ...

It works well and we look forward to using it in Braye... if only to discover what makes the tracks we keep finding, what digs holes in the garden and what poos all over the place...

We will post any interesting results...

The root of the problem...

Last winters storms have left some interesting scenery on the Atlantic coast...

Taken on Plage de la Lede.

All along the beach.

The trees had been ripped from the sand or the sand washed from the tree root system.

An interesting view of large tree root systems on a wonderful beach. The power of wind and water, I don't think I would have been walking like this when the storm was raging!!!

There was also a male naturist lurking in the roots...  Well photographed Elizabeth!!!

STERF Butterfly Atlas Survey, June 2014

Our tally of butterflies for the June STERF survey is a bit on the low side, which was both surprising and disappointing considering the weather conditions yesterday.

By far and away the most prolific was the Meadow Brown,

with the Ringlet

and Speckled Wood some way behind in number.

Then there were odd sightings... the White Admiral, for example. This one is a pretty tired looking specimen!

And one or two Small White, a couple of Holly Blue and several Marbled White but try as we might, it was impossible to catch one still for long enough to get a photo. However, at home this morning what should pose for the camera but... a Marbled White!

The biggest surprise for us was spotting what we think is a Green Veined White; a butterfly we haven't managed to photograph before..

If we are not correct in the identification, we know a lady who WILL know! Susan?

It is surprising what you find on the beach!!

If fairness we had seen a flyer advertising the event  held 'On the beach in Royan'... Being a big fan of anything aeronautical I had to go and have a look...

BOYS TOYS Lots of them....

and some Kites 'for the ladies'?!!

There was also a contest/exhibition of boomerang throwing further up the beach. Didn't spot you there Simon!!

It was a great interactive exhibition, with many attractions for both young and old and continues through this coming weekend. And, like many other such events in France, it was Free.

Anybody miss us??

If you have, it's because we've been away for a few days... enjoying the sun...

BUT where have we been? Here are a few clues, starting with Elizabeth running to catch a train!!

This one will certainly give it away

Yes, we had a great time, the weather could not have been better, warm and sunny in the day with rain only at night!!

More to follow over the next few days!!!

What causes this?

On one of our local walks we spotted this situated quite high up...

First thoughts was "Is it an Asian Hornet nest?" Unfortunately my zoomed in photo was a tad blurred.

However on our return visit, doing the walk again with friends Gaynor and Tim, I took a better zoomed shot...

This looks very much like a tree growth...

The $64,000 question is... Is it? And, if so, what causes it?

Never had so many...

Bee Orchids.

In this square we counted in excess of 50...

and at least 25 in these other two areas...

They really are magnificent close up.

This is our purchase from the rose festival yesterday... Reminded me of one of my favourite TV shows of long ago!!!

The plant is a Salvia common name Hot Lips... but what was the TV show???

June: The Month of Roses

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses." so wrote Maud Hart Lovelace, the American author.

That sums up perfectly the final day of the Rose Festival at Chédigny. 

There were so many roses to see that it is impossible to choose a favourite, so here is just a selection....

And some of you may recognise this specimen...

WHAT a beauty!!!