The little engine that could

This is the petit train (literally "little train") touristique that we took from St.-Trojan on Oléron to the beach I've been posting about. I looked up petit train on Wikipedia and found a surprise. This is not a petit train at all. It's a real, albeit small scale, train in that it runs on rails. A petit train, or tram in English, does not normally run on rails, but on a road surface, often in large parking lots (think Disney). I think the term petit train is commonly used for any small train or tram that carts tourists around. I don't think anyone would question the use of the term for this vehicle.

Choo-choo! Ile d'Oléron, May 2008.

As I feared, the landscaping crew canceled yesterday. The wind was just to much. They're coming back this morning and, although rain showers are predicted throughout the day, I think they'll be able to work.

I didn't make the king cake yesterday; we had a lot going on in the kitchen. But I plan to do it today. I'll try to remember to take some photos!

Stormy weather

Yet another storm system is passing through today. We're on the edge, as we so often are. And we have to go out in it; the Peugeot is going into the garage this morning to have its timing belt replaced. It's something that has to be done every ten years or so.

The same beach as yesterday. Ile d'Oléron, May 2008.

The other weather-related pain in the butt thing is that our landscape contractor sent us an email yesterday saying his crew would be here this morning to start the hedge trimming. I don't know if the wind will force them to cancel or not (they've worked in yucky weather before), but if they do cancel, who knows when (or if) they'll be able to come back?

On bended tree

This is part of the beach at the southern tip of Oléron as it looked seventeen years ago. That old tree trunk may be gone by now. The beach resembles a wildlife preserve more than a beach for bathers, which was fine for us. Our dog at the time, Callie, enjoyed running around in the sand.

Dead tree on the beach, Ile d'Oléron, May 2008.

The predicted weather system is coming through now. There's far less wind and rain than I expected. And the temperature is a balmy 10.9ºC, about 52ºF.

Lobster special

This is a seafood restaurant on the Ile d'Oléron. We had lunch here before taking a little tourist train to a beach close to the Atlantic side of the island. I don't remember what, specifically, I ate, but I know it was seafood.

L'Albatros at St.-Trojan, Ile d'Oléron, May 2008.

Today is our first "below zero" day of the winter. It's about one degree below the freezing point, according to our outdoor thermometer. It's probably a little colder out in the vineyards. The forecast is for rising temperatures through the day as another rain system moves in. There's virtually no chance for snow.

Citadelle

The citadelle at the southern end of the island of Oléron was built in the seventeenth/eighteenth centuries on the ruins of a medieval castle. Today, visitors can take in the views from up on the fort's ramparts.

What a beautiful day for a stroll! Is it summer yet? Ile d'Oléron, May 2008.

I was lucky yesterday when the rain stopped just before sunset and I was able to take Tasha out for her evening walk. It was still a soggy and muddy mess since it had rained most of the day. Tasha didn't mind. I spent the afternoon dismantling the holiday tree and the ornaments. Away it all goes for another year.

Aw, shucks

Oyster cages on the Ile d'Oléron off France's west coast.

Oyster Cages, Oléron, May 2008.

It's blowing a gale outside this morning and a big band of rain is moving inland from the coast. The wind is expected to die down a bit after the rain front moves through. It's going to be a lovely day. Not.

Bonne Année !

 Bonne Année -- Happy New Year!