The perfect day!

Well today just has to rank as one of the best days ever. We all woke at about 9am to a glorious sun streaming in through the windows, and the view over the vineyard was just as we remembered it from the night before. We have started to find that we have the best nights sleep on the "France Passion" sites, whether it's because they have been on cider farms or vineyards so far I don't know! Maybe it was the rather good Cabernet Sauvignon made from the grapes in the fields behind us, or the peace and tranquility, or just the thought of waking to coffee and croissants, but it just seems to work on these 'free' places. 

Having had such a lovely afternoon at the beach yesterday, we decided to cycle down and investigate the town of La Cotiniere. What a pretty little fishing village we stumbled upon! Think Padstow, take away the crowds and this is what we found. There were plenty of shops to browse in, and a busy Sunday market too. Jasper, Maya and I mooched through the market and saw the now familiar sights of oysters, mussels, languistines, and other fish, plus a wide variety of colours of fruits and vegetables, such as brown courgettes, and red bananas. There was also an array of clothes, shoes, leather goods and even a tat stall selling the equivalent of a 99p store! Whilst we looked around, Ed waited in the queue for the bread, which was the biggest queue ever. Thankfully he also bought some delicious  cookies which we had as our mid morning snack. 

Browsing completed, we then looked around the busy fishing harbour, the lighthouse and the 1960s sea front church with its bright and colourful stained glass windows which was really quite unique! 

A short cycle ride took us back to the beach and a spot for our lunch. We then spent the rest of the sunny afternoon sunbathing, rock pooling, building sandcastles, sand dune jumping, sunbathing again, swimming, more rock pooling. You get the picture!

Jasper in particular had a fantastic time, having remembered his Swiss Army knife. After scouring the beach for treasures, much time was spent with Ed and Jasper carving drift wood and using other found materials to create "SS Jus de Pomme",  and then after Somme fettling, the improved version "SS Jus D'Orange". Time passed by and as the boys made improvements to try and make their boats sail better,  Maya on the other hand made good use of her new €1.99 bucket to collect a pile of baby hermit crabs!

The evening turned out to be quite a surprise. Being very hungry, and cycling to nearby St Pierre D'Oleron for food, we soon realised we we're too early for a meal somewhere. So we cycled back to La Cotiniere where we ordered fresh from the quay, fish and chips. Wel this may seem a little uncouth, but after the busy day and the bike rides it was just what we wanted. And it just so happens that we stumbled upon the best fish and chips we have ever had. Much better than Rick Steines! The batter was so light and crispy and it had herbs mixed in too! The chips were French fries, but made with potatoes with skins on, so they had a rustic smell, texture and taste. Just delicious!

And now, we are sitting with the final glass of the aforementioned Cabernet Sauvignon watching the evening sun set over the vineyard. Two sleepy children fast asleep in their beds. As I said, the perfect day.

Bon Sior!

Clare 

X