'The Wood of Love' and Bel-Air

We went into Josselin again on 4th August to investigate signs we had seen pointing to the Wood of Love. It's a brilliant place! Loads of paths winding everywhere, right near the centre of Josselin (our local supermarket town) Some pictures of the part of Bel-Air that John, Hannah, Scott and I own together, starting with the living room: You can see the stained glass window that Dad and John put in, to the right of the photo, that I was talking about before. View from our little hallway bit into the shared kitchen The 'bunkhouse' (Kids' room)View from bedroom into our bathroom

Our bedroom

The view from our bedroom, of the front garden

Another beach day

Another reason I liked our holiday was that Scott and I seldom got out of bed till about 10am. (I got through 5 1/2 books on holiday, including Jane Eyre which I've never actually read before), then we'd potter round till about 11, pack up some 'pain, fromage & jambon' for lunch and be on our way somewhere. Lots of spare time was spent on bikes - exploring the hundreds of farm tracks that connect through the countryside round about.
On Monday 3rd August we went to 'the island beach'. It was a bit cloudy so we didn't go in the water - just had fun digging a trench and burying Scott in it.On the way back, we stopped off at the Menhirs (standing stones) at Carnac. We've been there before, but wanted to go up the look-out tower that is there. I thought the kids looked like little blonde standing stones in this picture.

More boat fun

Only half of us made it to church, the first Sunday in France - Harry was sick in the car, so he, Scott and Jack went back home, and the rest of us went in Dad's car who was driving in front. My favourite thing about church in France is singing the hymns - we don't understand much else! It was Testimony meeting though, and though I didn't know what was said, I could feel the spirit of some of the testimonies.
After church we went for a trip on the boat again.
A picture of Scott being on lock duty. Normally someone comes and does all the winding involved for you, but noone seemed around so Scott did it. It's quite funny going through the locks because you become a tourist attraction - it's a bit embarrassing! Lock duty must have taken its toll...The kids took turns steering the boat. Lucy even made it safely under some bridge arches. Me on rope duty in another lock

Another day at the beach & Our living room

We all went to the surfing beach again, and guess what - I can still surf! It wasn't just a strange one-off fluke of nature! The kids were happy again, and we all liked this plane which kept flying up and down the beach, quite low.
Since we were here in May, Dad and also John have done tonnes of work on our living room - tiling the floor, rendering some of the worse looking stone walls and back of the fireplace, paraxing the joints, painting, skirting boarding, and also adding a stained glass window, made from 3 planels that used to be smaller windows at our family home in Nottingham. The window is wonderful! It reminds me of my bedroom when I was growing up! They have done an amazing job.

Playing about on the river...

Oh man, this was such a fun day. We all went out on Mum & Dad's boat 'Why Worry'. Here it is at its moorings in Josselin (to the right of the picture). I feel so lucky having this place as our local town. Going through a lockWe stopped to have lunch at the lovely islandy bit that we found with Dad last year After lunch we got brave and headed into the water! John led the way... ...followed by Scott...
...and me... Lucy is such a water-baby!At one point while Dad took the boat up the river to tow Lucy and John on a bit of rope (!), I was left floating around in the middle of the river totally by myself. I felt extemely happy and content - such peaceful and beautiful surroundings (and only slightly daft having to shout Bonjour to some walkers on the bank...)

First day on holiday - Dad's Toys & Surfing

After we'd all had a play on Dad's latest toy in the arsenal (a pretty nippy mini motorbike!) we headed for our favourite surfing beach near Quiberon. The kids all like playing with bodyboards - Lucy especially spends hours in the sea.

Along with childbirth and passing my driving test, this is something I am proud of - I LEARNT TO SURF! I have 4 kids and am not as young as I was, but I wanted to do this, so with some tips from John, practise, and lots of swallowed sea water, I can now stand up on a board and ride a wave. This is me feeling quite happy! More beach fun...

Home again! / The journey to France

We're home! There is washing in the washing machine, the car is unpacked, the post is all in the recycling bin, and the garden has been harvested! I hardly know how to sum up what has been a very action packed and seemingly long holiday - I'm just going to add photos a few per posting.
The journey out was long!! We enjoyed being in the 'Club Lounge' on the ferry - very comfy and uncrowded, with waitresses making me nice hot chocolates... followed by a six hour drive (we only had one 10 minute break in the middle) - the kids were great as they usually are on these big long journeys. Half way there on the French side - the bridges at Le Havre

In the last hour the kids played with my camera to keep themselves amused...

When we arrived at Bel-Air (the name of our house), Mum, Dad, John and Hannah were there already. A fun reunion!