Tales from The Stables
Marche de Noel
Lunch at the "Brasserie du Beffroi", followed by a visit to the March de Noel in the Salle des Fêtes du Beffroi and the purchase of a carved wooden Martin-pêcher.
Braving the Waves
Christmas fair in the Salle des Fêtes du Beffroi in Rue, followed by a quick visit to Quend Plage.
La Chasse
Recognised by the Duck man on St-Valery market, sadly sold out of duck breasts - qu'il était désolé. Glass of wine at "La Buvette de la Plage". Cycle ride in the afternoon with the sounds of La Chasse all around.
Patrouille de France
Amiens for the Centenary Air Show.
Planes included:
Focke-Wulf Fw 44J
De Havilland DH-98 Mosquito
Douglas DC-3
Fockker Dr1
Sopwith 1½ Strutter,
De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth
Piper L-4J Grasshopper
Birthday Girl
Lunch at "Den Gouden Karpel" and Dinner at "Kok au Vin".
MENU:
Sepia squid
tempura / anchovies
Wild duck from Lo-Reninge
peach / red pointed pepper / ginger
Porc belly
carrot / favo beans / oyster mushrooms
Blueberry
chocolate / beetroot / sorrel ice cream
Nighttime in Brugge
The Belfry in Market Square after wine, charcuterie and cheese at "Cuvee". Stopping at "Canal Deluxe".
Training for "Le Tour"
Fort-Mahon Market in the morning and a bike ride to Quend Plage in the afternoon.
Honey Buzzard
Lunch at "Brasserie de l'Agriculture" in Desvres and a sighting of this Buzzard in the trees at Quend.
Henson Foal
A walk around the Haras Henson Ferme de Saint-Jean at Rue produced more than just horses. A pair of Black-winged Stilt were seen attacking a gaggle of Greylag Geese that were getting too close to their nest. Heron, Egret and Curlew were also spotted.
St Valery Sunset
Meal at "La Drakkar" followed by a stroll along the boardwalk to see the sunset over the Baie de Somme.
Let's Go Fly a Kite 2
Lack of wind meant that flying the kite bought in Berck earlier in the week wasn't a great success (a rare photo). Bike ride around Quend in the afternoon.
Pêcheur de crevettes grise
A morning walk along the beach at Quend-Plage to the Moules de Bouchot. Shrimps are known as sauterelle (grasshoppers) in the Somme Bay.
A different view of Saint-Valery
A walk along the Quai Digue Nord, watching a Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Moorhen and Shelducks. Moules de Bouchot from the stall near the Le Crotoy roundabout.
Cambrai
Lunch at "Hygge Café" and a visit to the Somme 1916 Museum in Albert. Then a night in Cambrai and a Greek meal at "Le Zorba".
A Gentle Stroll
Saint-Valery market in the morning, followed by an afternoon walk to Le Crotoy. The low tides meant there were a number of guided tours walking out into the bay.
Kite Surfing
Saint-Valery market, the lakes at La Bassée and then Le Crotoy where the high tides and strong winds bought the Kite Surfers out in force.
11ºC
A sunny afternoon in Quend and the sign outside La Mairie advertising future attractions in the village.
