I wrote this post back in August. Unfortunately I then went and lost my memory card adapter so didn't have the photos. Anyway better late then never, here is what we got up to in France in the summer.
Last week we had a relaxed week in Vendee where we spent most of our days by the pool or at the beach. The beaches are lovely and sandy and at first glance there's not that much to see.
But sometimes you have to open your eyes.
I saw a man digging with a bucket, and I was transported back 25 years when my Dad took us cockling in the exact same place. We watched the man, smiled as he showed us what to do (he was speaking French so smiling was our means of communication as I am only able to ask how to get to the port) and then had a go ourselves. The cockles were found a couple on inches down.
Unfortunately we didn't eat them, as firstly I'm not keen on seafood and secondly I didn't want to food poison any of us. Instead we decided to re home them! We then had a look around the rocks, covered in mussels, limpets and anemones. Big man and I were in our element.
Next we went for a paddle. At first I thought I had lost the plot when I saw a shell walk. Then I realised it was a hermit crab. I then realised there were 100's. How had I not noticed them!?! We collected them in a bucket to have a closer look before once again letting them go.
Just an empty beach with sand becomes so much more when you open your eyes and explore.
Amazing what we can spot when we really look for it, Nature is amazing, looks like a great time. Mich x
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great educational experience on the beach. Learning Cockling must've been a great experience, if not hampered slightly by the language barrier. Seeing all those hermit crabs must've been a very surreal sight too. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteits so lovely to see a nice summery post at this time of year! Look like a lot of fun. x
ReplyDeleteWe had such a lovely time discovering things. Still not sure how I hadn't noticed the crabs immediately!
ReplyDelete:-) everyone should lose their microSD adapter ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was really lovely. Big man and I were in our element x
ReplyDeleteAh that looks like great fun. Have never been cockling before but my brother and I took my eldest crabbing for the first time this summer - we only managed to catch one little one which Jessica enjoyed looking at before we put it back again.
ReplyDeleteThey love it don't they xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day! Nice for you to finally get these pictures now too, a trip down memory road :)
ReplyDeleteyes esp now its cold!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fabulous day, and I love the photos x it is amazing what you can find when you really look! #MagicMoments
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, when we went to the French coast we saw them digging for cockles too and taking them home. Got me dreaming about summer now :) #magicmoments
ReplyDeleteHaHa when I saw the title I had to click as I thought you brave souls had gone crabbing in December!!! Great pics - worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteLol no I'm just rubbish and couldn't find the adapter not quite that stupid x
ReplyDeleteI know a few days of cold and we want summer back x
ReplyDeleteYep I need to open my eyes more!
ReplyDeleteSounds brill, it's great exploring the beach! #magicmoments
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