Better late than never.............................................................

Mid August..Now settled in Aigues Mortes for 2 weeks, and here especialy for another fabulous french festival--

The FETE  DE LA SAINT- LOUIS.  As you have seen on previous blogs- the French just love to dress and up celecbrete everything..

This festival relives when King Louis comes to  Aigues-Morte before setting off on one of his Crusades.. His procession comes to the gates of Aigues-Morte where he receives the keys to the city.

So the whole town celebrates his embarkation of his 7th crusade.. The whole city changes into a medivial town, with street theatre, medival ball, historical parades, knights camps, chivalry tournamounts etc, and ending the weekend with fireworks while King Louis leaves on his ship. 

The procession happens twice a day on the saturday and sunday and the last night with the leaving of his ships.

And as anything French - the obigitory fireworks as King Louis finally leaves France.

Some areas of the french coast are not as attractive as others -- these blocks of appartments - all built as you can see in the 60's/70's!!!   They stand out on the horizon like a titanic white elephant ( well we think so ) 

You can decide!

Had a Kiwi boat night out to a lovely resturant Bloem.. good time for all---

And then onto the TIC TAC bar, recommeded by regulars, Hans and Angie, friends moored on a boat in front of ours--  A bar that has every conceiveable alocholic beverage stored on its over crowded shelves - even up a ladder.....

Hans and Angie have the life- a dutch and English couple who have for the last 4-5 years used Aigues-Morte as their base for the summer- returning to Barcelona in the winter. Mayb our next long term summer mooring.!!

And a second trip to the TIC TAC bar with Paul and Claire - on our last night in AM.

So time to move on and back towards The Etang, and Beziers in time for the first Rugby World Cup Game. Some quiet moorings along the way, across the E'tang and up to Beziers- with the last leg- glass and canvas down....

Flight of the flamingoes.

 8th September--- beach head set up - table claimed, tablecloth on, and friends made.

We met lots of Welsh and Irish and others-- SA, NZ and Oz's  It was a lovely balmy night, the atmosphere was relaxing and fun.

Half time entertainment with the musical fountain, and the flower display that has been up all summer in the square.  Great night despite the end score,😢😢😢😢.

Actually got given a 'pity' bottle of wine at the end by the bar manager for being such good sports!!!

So the rest of september spent pottering about, enjoying the end of our time- lazy evenings playing cards and at least its not far from one boat to another to get home at the end of an evening.

Grahame and Max.

                                                         The aftermath of a little shower.

Another fabulous meal out , on the Canal about 20 mins by car away at Cruzy.  Of course even better when the owner photo-bombs your photos.

So the end of our summer- packing up, putting the tent and getting ready to leave.

Despite the rain on the last few days - we manged to get the tent on without getting wet,,,

AND without having another bike stolen ( better than last year!!!)

Grahame Berry has a lovely habit of giving 'useful' things away that he no longer wants to unsuspecting friends--- we beat him at his own game this year- a lovely shirt bought in Holland about 10 years ago..

So our life moves to the winter in Chichester and planning next years activities..😀😀😀😀😀😀