Our most recent trip to the Île de Ré

Special announcement! Our postponed Galathee Retreat is now taking place on 4-11th September 2021. If you are interested in the retreat please email karon.foxwell@btinternet.com for more info. 🥂
On the 28th June we drove to the Île de Ré, sharing the drive in our lovely white van carrying furniture and bits and bobs for Galathee. We did the whole 12 hour trip one in go and I enjoyed the driving experience hugely… it seems I am now officially a ‘white van driver’!

The lovely new cafe that’s opened at the end of Rue Merindot – it serves delicious brunches!

We’re now back in the UK after a week of cleaning, gardening, painting and of course – lots of eating and drinking yummy food and wine. The Île de Ré was buzzing, the sun shining, and people enjoying themselves on holiday. It was great to see all the shops, bars and restaurants open and welcoming back their customers. Life is returning to ‘almost normal’.
One of the trips we made on our arrival was to La Courade beach to return Percy, our beloved fawn pug, to his favourite place. It was sad, but very serene. With no one around we were able to scatter his ashes and say goodbye properly.  We’ve become recognised as the mad British people with 3 puggies and made great friends with other puggie owners here (its a pug thing!)
ile de re
We also did lots of cycling this time around. First to Ars, past the salt farms on the most glorious sunny day, and arrived at the main square to eat moules and frites at Cafe de Commerce. It is one my favourite cycle rides (especially as I have got an electric bike!).
We also cycled over to our friends in la Bois Plage on the cycle paths from St Martin for supper watching the House Martins swoop overhead. We were very fast on the way there, but the way back in the dark was a little more wobbly!
Towards the end of our stay, our neighbours held a little street party, which is much chicer than the street parties I’m used to back home! There were delicious canapes and homemade pizza and I got the chance to practice my French.
On our last day we visited our English friends, whose interior design I worked on for their newly built architectural home. The last time I was there, the house was a building site. Now, it’s completely finished and absolutely beautiful.

Seven years after arriving in Rue Merindot, we’re now part of this little community, sharing stories and welcoming the arrival of new grandchildren, enjoying the French hospitality and admiring all our roses, which clamber wildly up the stone walls overshadowing the hollyhocks. 
This little island never loses its magic. It wraps you up in its bubble and holds you safely until you need to pop it and return to reality.
When we return in September we will bring our puggies with us, including Stanley, our new baby boy who is 8 months old and a complete hooligan. I cannot wait to see him running along the sandy beaches chasing the waves… 
 

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