Monday to Sunday 7 to 13 July 2025

Weather is hot again and the pool has reached 24C. Another 10 degrees and Flashy may even swim. The days roll on with a late breakfast, some admin and a bit of gardening. Lunch on the patio, a beer under the cherry tree, a nap for some and a walk for others before the evening gin.

Wednesday brings more of the same with a trip into the nearby village of Tonnay Boutonne. A coffee at the bistro and a small shopping expedition at a brilliant Coop supermarket. Small but like the best IGA back home. Some more weed removal in the ‘lawn’ but not too much as it’s hot and we’re relaxed. Thursday much the same.

Friday, being hot again, we headed for Fouras, an up market beachside town, just north of the mouth of the Charente River, about 40 minutes west of LPR.  Here they farm mussels and oysters big time. 

There are many flash restaurants along the beach and one we liked, a little old and tired, out by the oyster sheds and pier. According to Lady P, the Restaurant Les Viviers, is 4.3 stars and very quirky. After many attempts to make a reservation by phone, we simply arrived at 10.30 am and in limited French booked for “une table pour deux personnes à midi s'il vous plaît ?’’ Oui, we got in. 

The restaurant is run by chef Tac Tac and his wife. They seem to do it all – front of house, back of house and entertain the guests. Chef wanders about saying ‘tac, tac’ all the time. Strange chap. Oysters are unloaded, shucked in front of you and served on ice. Very fresh. Two courses, (oysters, tartare de salmon and thon, paella, beer, sangria, wine and coffee for €88 is pretty good.

Saturday and Sunday is spent planning our speech for Joanne's 40th, at which we will be at lunch in London with Alyssa and P's NZ rellies, then we lock in a European trip in September with Jennifer.  The plan is to visit some of the towns in what was Silesia, Prussia where the Lindners came from. So far we have booked the flight from Gatwick to Prague. The research continues.

Lady P has had many swims doing 40 laps. Flashy dived in, screamed he was having a heart attack and leaped out in under 3 seconds. Still too cold for him.

Roger the pool boy,
A small beer.
Free little fried prawns.
Tartare du salmon.
Look at those little beauties!

 

Comments

  1. Graeme15 July 2025 at 20:17

    The oysters look good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roger18 July 2025 at 02:37

      They were very good. Lacked a little vodka and lemon juice dressing,though.

      Delete

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