Scenes from the week

Three fishing boats lined up to deliver their catch.

 We discovered this week that scallop season is from October to April. The number of scallops brought up from the bottom of the sea is remarkable. Each boat brings scallops and only scallops. After April, we wonder what the fishing boats will deliver to shore instead.

Rowing out at high tide to a boat moored in the bay'

This week we had an exceptionally high tide. On the dock the water reached higher than we had ever noticed before, almost to cover the entire ramp. The height differential between the top of the inclined pier and the bottom we estimate to be at least 30 feet. The amount of water that flows in and out of the port, within the space of 6 hours, between low and high tide, is almost incomprehensible to me.

Breakwater at high tide.

The dramatic movement of water around the planet is one of those fascinating realities that one scarcely thinks twice about.

Our local beach at high tide. The water rarely covers the entire beach as it did this week.

We took a walk through town this week shopping for birthday presents. We have two family members with February birthdays. I don't necessarily get to the livelier side of town every week, especially on cold and rainy days, so when I do, I try to explore different streets and enjoy new corners and sites. The town is full of places to discover.

Would you call it a beer café? Beer barrel tables and metal stools await warmer days.

The streets are still quiet for the moment, but definitely not empty. There is little car traffic, making walking and window shopping much more pleasant. The number of shops in such a small area is rather mind boggling. They are all quite inviting and somewhat expensive.

Was she once mounted on a vessel sailing the seas? She's strong and energetic, but not too pretty.

There are a couple of corners of town (this town with so few trees) that are the hangout for smaller birds who don't make their living from the sea. We really enjoy this spot, where we are always sure to see little song birds scampering around in numbers.

Sparrows enjoying a sunny winters day.

We saw a couple of riders on horse back taking their animals for a walk up our ramp and along the ramparts. The noise of the hooves clop clopping along our cobblestone street was a sweet sound to my ears.

A rider on her mount.

And then of course there is the fair, still in town, making its mechanical contrast beside the serene waters of the commercial port. There have been at some moments significant crowds, despite the weather, who have been participating in the fun.

View from the ramparts.

Speaking of fun, be sure to watch the video below to see what you are missing, and what I have chosen to miss also.

Early next week we are heading back to Burgundy where we will spend the rest of the month. We have several visitors arriving, after which we'll head to Paris to stay with our granddaughter on her school holidays. Emily and Jos will be in Reims where they are preparing to open a grand production of No, No, Nanette. It will be coming to Paris in late March.

We'll be back in a few weeks. See you then.