06 October 2014

The Atlantic Coast.

My regular friends who follow my posts will know that I've had a miserable time this year.
I love where I live in the beautiful countryside of France and I'm happy just pottering in my garden.
This year I've not been able to do very much, but now I'm feeling so much better and the last of our summer visitors have now left, so Mr France suggested a short trip away to the coast.



 
Before we moved to the middle of nowhere in central France we'd always lived near the sea,
so like a flash I was searching on internet for somewhere to stay, nothing fancy, somewhere quiet, where we could take short walks and enjoy the sea air and that's just what we found.
 
 
This  is where we stayed.
It was a Perfect choice.




Talmont is on the coast of the estuary of 'La Gironde' 
 



On the edge of the cliff was this imposing12th C church.
Very bare inside.

 


 

Most of the houses are stone or painted white with blue shutters and doors and looked like this.




This pretty little village has narrow streets and
only the people who live there are allowed to drive their cars in.

So we saw lots of bicycles, I think some were there just for ornament .

 
 
 
These larger houses had just been renovated and were 'For Sale'
I would have loved to have a peep inside,
but this couple were with an agent and seemed like prospective buyers .
 



I'm always collecting seed heads from plants where ever I go !
but
I only saw this sign after I had my pockets full !
oops !
 
 




I loved this sign outside of a holiday rental house.


 
 
 
 
After our morning walking around the narrow streets, we drove up the coast a few miles
where there are three beautiful beaches. We chose this one to have our lunch.
As you can see hardly anyone around. This is definitely a summer seasonal place.
 I'm sure during the months of July and August this would be so crowded.
But we so enjoyed our time here.



 
After our lunch of fresh fish, the waiter suggested we went down onto the beach to relax,
 and have our coffee sitting under the beach parasols. He must have sensed our needs.
 

 
 
 
 
Then some youngsters came onto the beach for what looked like a sailing lesson.
So the view was constantly changing, first group green sails then the next blue.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Being thoroughly relaxed,
 we then walked from one end of the beach to the other, along the edge of the sea.
 
 


 
 
After spending the afternoon at the beach a little further up the coast
we arrived back to the village where we were staying to have a relaxing aperitif.
 
 
 


This was the 'plat du jour' menu
One course and a glass of wine or beer.
However we had already eaten our main meal at lunch time.
 
 
 
 
 
I was so happy to see at least one or two Roses Trémières / Hollyhocks still flowering.
 

 During the summer months the village is a mass of pink & red from 'Roses Trémières '
which grow along the edge of the walls of the houses.
 
 
 
 
 

I couldn't stop taking photos.


 
 
 
 
Back at our hotel room, each evening the family dog arrived
 for any tit-bits that might come his way.
Those adorable eyes staring at me, made me find something to give him.
 
 
He was still there, until we closed the shutters.
 
 
 
 
I hope you enjoyed seeing a hidden treasure of a place
in France you might never think of visiting.
 
You might be wondering what happened to the sketches
I was planning on doing during the time we were away.
 
Well I have a confession to make, I was so busy taking photos
and then relaxing.
I didn't find time to sketch 'en plein air'
so I'll be painting from photos.
 
Next time I'll show you some of the other places we visited.
 
 
à bientôt
Barbara Lilian
 

7 comments:

  1. C’est un endroit que je connais qui est superbe. Merci de nous partager ces doux moments , merci
    A bientôt

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  2. So beautiful Babara...and so good seeing you and M France relaxing. I hope you feel refreshed en motivated for the coming seasons with all its pleasures.
    I saw your previous post with la petite maison..and it is so quaint!
    Happy sketching and hope to see some?
    Ronelle

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  3. Oh how lovely and relaxing! You deserve it! How wonderful to be able to walk on the beach and not have your back hurt!
    Maybe someday my Hubby and I can come visit....
    Nancy

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  4. Good Afternoon Barbara, I can tell by the smile on your face that you had a lovely time. There is nothing like the sea air to make us feel much better and of course the beautiful blue sea and sunshine helps as well.
    The village of Talmont looks a beautiful place to visit and being the 'nosy parker' that I am, I would have loved to have taken a peek inside the house that was for sale.
    .... and the hotel owner's dog.... what can I say, other than, he is gorgeous.... those eyes.
    I am so glad that you are feeling better. I read your previous post and your flowers are still looking beautiful. Mine are a little battered, because we have had horrible winds today..... oh well, that is Autumn for you.
    Have a lovely week.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  5. Happy to know that the two of you got to enjoy a little relaxing time at the beach. It looks as though you discovered a little treasure.

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  6. Oh Barbara, I really enjoyed these pictures of the sea. What a charming place to visit. I love the stone houses with the shutters, and is that an alley that I see? You and your husband look like you are enjoying yourselves very much. Your dog is so sweet peeking in the window waiting for some goodies. After moving into our new home, I definitely could use some of this beautiful scenery and relaxation.

    I hope you're enjoying the October days.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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  7. Dear Barbara - catching up on all your posts...what a great vacation. You make me want so badly to come stay. There is such a holiday feel when one is along a body of water. You and your hubby look wonderful sitting there and so relaxed. So glad things are better so you can travel.

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