Let me start by saying this: I HATE the beach. I hate it with a force. I’m allergic to the sun and don’t get me started on sand getting everywhere. Why people would want to eat on the beach, for example, is beyond me. THAT BEING SAID though, I love to sail, I am a seafood eating machine AND, best of all, all my nephews spend most of July every year in Cap Ferret. This is a great opportunity for me to see all of them at once. You know I’m a single guy without kids, so my 19 nieces and nephews are everything to me.
So on Sunday, I loaded the car with toys and headed for the coast. Two days in heaven with my angels! And don’t be fooled by the angelic faces by the way. Some of them can be a handful :0)
We went for walks, boat rides at sunset and had the best oysters and fish and ice-cold chardonnay and…
I took hundreds of pictures of course and didn’t get a chance to sort through them all. Here are a few that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Note: if you see Barbie, please tell her I have found her missing boot!
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
I can’t agree with you more about eating at the beach…very uncivilized, unless it’s at a beachside restaurant! As for oysters, well, Delia and I are rather obsessed oyster aficionados and have eaten them in various parts of North America and overseas….no comparison to the ones in France that we ate last year; big, meaty, salty, tasting really of the sea…dangerous for obsessives as they can lead to bankruptcy on a still hungry stomach – 2-3 dozen per person go down very easily!
Next time you guys come, I’ll have to take you to a very nice little oyster shack overlooking the bay in Cap Ferret. A very special place only locals know about…
Fabulous and evocative Stephane (as usual!) – just back from different beach, different family, different wines, but your post sums it up all the same! Rosie
I’m so glad you had a good time dear Rosie! Yes, the location doesn’t matter much as long as the family is around 😉
You may hate the beach, but your photos say otherwise! And by the way, I love how you live life!
Thank you so much my dear Susan! I’m fine with the beach, as long as I’m protected from the sun and don’t have to be in the sand. I looooove the oyster shacks, restaurants et pastry shops by the water, overlooking the bay… 😉
So, so beautiful! It makes me weep with longing to be a family. Thank you.
I’m so sorry I made you weep dear Barbara!! I’m answering this late, so I hope you are feeling better now 😉
What wonderful photos…you have captured summer on the seashore perfectly. It does look heavenly and I think all little angels need a tiny bit of mischief in their life. 🙂 I feel the same way as you about the sand at the beach…I’d rather be looking at it from a table just away from it.
A tiny bit of mischief is one thing. We passed that door a lonnnnnnnng time ago 😉
Oh what a perfectly wonderful adventure you had! But I do have to say that if you do not have a sailboat perhaps eating at the beach is the next best thing (except for the sand getting in the food) 😉 Loved all of your photos and perhaps I did see Barbie this morning right after breakfast…since our angels have a whole collection upstairs in the kids’ room.
I never knew how hard it would be to pick a simple Barbie at the store. I knew it had to be pink, but when I got to the store, they had hundreds of pink Barbies… What a nightmare that was 😉
How lovely – all of it. Enchanté
Ha Ha! Thank you very much!! 😀
What a wonderful post and what a wonderful shared picture story. Lucky you!!!
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it 😉
What a wonderful record of a family weekend get-together by the sea.
Thanks Dorothy. It certainly was a weekend to remember. I wish I had had the time to eat more of the local foods, but the focus was on being with the kids. See, even for me, food comes second sometimes 😀
Thrilled to have found your wonderful blog, the photos are all stunning. Reminds me I need to buy a real camera 🙂 Good for you for finding you inner song and letting it out!
Thanks for your encouraging words Allie! It means a lot to me 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful time . Spending time with kids is the most rejuvenating and relaxing experience. Their innocence is very appealing. ☺👍
I don’t know if relaxing is the right word, but it certainly is my reason for living…
A very beautiful reason that is. But watch out. They grow very fast. ..
Wonderful collection of images! I love them all! The little one is so cute! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Thanks Lisa!
Nice shoots,
the beach is really consumed me once i saw it!!!
my fafe photos is the photograph of the boys running out n the beach….
Thank you! Yes, that’s one of my favorites as well 😉
Beautiful memories, beautiful photographs. I am very glad I found your blog, such a delight to read and see another part of the world.
I am so glad you found my little blog. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!!!
Amazing images..they way you take close up images…of things …hands etc ..they are so well composed…it’s a pleasure looking at your images…
You are so kind Natasha! Thank you for your continued readership and support!
Beautifully evocative photos, Stephane. You’re blessed in your wonderful family.The little curly blonde haired moppet with the green eyes is going to be a lady killer one day, I think! Delightful 🙂
He already is. It’s kind of frightening 🙂
What a beautiful photo. Wow. My sister also hates the beach. It’s amazing. I really do love it.
I’ll take you to Cap Ferret when you come visit Amanda 😉
🙂 Yay!
You have some fabulous photos here! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my pleasure Jeannine. Thanks for dropping by!
Happy man you are.
Happy indeed Olivia 🙂
A lovely post with fab pics as always! And that child looks like a cherub – although I imagine not…..
Yeah, he just looks like it 😉
Beutiful pictures once again 🙂 Which camera you use?
Thanks Elina! I use a Canon 5D Mark III
Thanks for the info! I have an old Canon 450D which is ok but is lacking some features, need to check that 5D!
Lovely, lovely pictures. It looks as though some were shot on 35mm film – is that right?
The photo of Barbie’s boot has just brought back some vivid memories of a book I read when I was a really little… It was about a girl who visited a friend’s house and fell in love with her friend’s doll house. She stole some tiny red wellies which obviously belonged to one of the dolls. Can’t for the life of me remember the name of the book but it was one of my favourites and I’m sure your nieces would like it… Nice to be reminded of it 🙂
Thanks for the like on my blog!
What a lovely comment Kristy! Thanks for taking the time!! I use a DSLR with a 50mm lens. Not rich enough to play around with film unfortunately 😉
Yes, it is rather expensive, especially in Norway. I used to develop my own when I had access to a darkroom in Aberdeen, but sadly no longer. One day!
There is a deeply cinematic quality about these photos. Great job.
I’m si glad you liked the photos. Thanks for your comment!
Very envious….I adore Cap Ferret. So many of your pictures bring back memories. I also love sailing…….as a child I had a boat before I had a bicycle:)
Maybe we’ll meet there someday Roger 🙂
All just lovely compositions in the most natural way. I really enjoyed that. I felt like I spent the weekend at the Kennedy compound. 😀 Came by way of Leilani’s at ‘Keeping up with Mrs Smith”
I’m so glad you came by Leilani. Yes, Cap Ferret has a very Kennedy feel to it 🙂
Your a master story teller my friend with your camera.
Thanks! It means a lot coming from you!
I love your posts! I am always eager to open and enjoy!
You make me so happy when you say that Stacey. I’m always surprised when people tell me they follow the blog and enjoy it. Sometimes perfect strangers in the street stop me. Very funny and uplifting… Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment Stacey. It means a lot to me 😉
Beautiful photos! Now I want to be at the beach!
Do you live far from a beach Colleen? Sorry I made you long for it 🙂
Lovely happy photos.
For happy times 🙂
I like the beach but hate the sand. I want to be in a hotel with a swimming pool and sit on the balcony to look at the beach and the sail boats.
But I ADORE seafood! After all I am from Louisiana.
You know I used to live in New Orleans. I love Louisiana. Oh Brennan’s BBQ shrimp!!!!! 😉
Yep! I just read though that Brennan’s closed. Family squabble over the business. 😦
Dido!!
Your nephews and nieces are so adorable. I understand how you fee about them because I also have precious nephews and niece. All photos are great, but my favorite is the photo of you holding the small cute baby. The smiling looks of the two make everybody happy.
😀
Wow some really fantastic photos. It looks like a lot of new memories were made. Your little nephew really does have an angelic look about him! I love to walk the beach and do enjoy swimming in a warm ocean. But if I had the choice of laying on sand or beside my pool, the pool would win every time! But as much as you love sailing and seafood I do love, love, love the ocean and always feel drawn to it!
I hope it will be sunny enough when you come so you can enjoy my pool! 😉
Oh, I love the photo’s it must have been just wonderful spending time with your beloved family and friends, I will have to agree with you on the sand thing, Sand is great to walk on, your feet are as clean and smooth as a babies bottom, I love that but lay on it or eat on it, no thank you, One grain of sand in my food turns me off and I will not have another bite,
I’m the same!!
Gorgeous photos Stéphane – you certainly packed a lot of living into 2 days! 🙂
Yes Margot, it was quite a busy couple of days. So joyful though…
Your photos are beautiful, every single one tells a story. I’m with you Stephane, beaches are for walking on, looking at and photographing. It makes me the odd one out in this land of sun worshippers…
😀 Here’s to pools and ocean views 😉
“Angel” is right! Those blond curls . . . oh my! I could write a tome about each photo; every one of them tugged at my heart. More so for you because each is so meaningful to preserve the moment forever. Who put the “sand” in “sandwich” anyway? ;->
Ha ha ha! Never thought of that 🙂
Glorious photos and I agree about the sand as well. I enjoyed spotting you in all those beautiful pictures. 🙂
janet
I was trying to hide in there like Hitchcock 😀
Eating on sand is definitely an overrated activity 🙂 Lovely photos.
I’m glad somebody else agrees! 😉 Thanks for making me feel less like a bore Sara 😉
boring? you? hardly 🙂
Beautiful photos! Looks like you had a lovely time!
Thanks! Yes, we sure did! 🙂
Cap Ferret I guess that place needs to go on my bucket list – looks beautiful pics straight out of travel magazine article, lucky you with so many nieces and nephews
I feel very lucky indeed! You should definitely spend some time in Cap Ferret. You will not be disappointed! 😉
I’d like to face off with you in a seafood eating challenge in Cape Ferret! First thing I’d do after polishing off that platter of huitres would be to drop that little crab dude in a vat of hot oil…
Let’s do it! 😉 I’d leave the oysters to you and focus on lobster and shrimp 😀
Lovely photos – family, firends and simple pleasures. What more could you want.
Thanks Francesca! What more indeed…
I’ve only come across your blog this week… I’m hooked! You’ve got an amazing eye for photography.
Looking forward to your new posts even more now 🙂
You are so kind Chava (it is Chave isn’t it?). I enjoy photography as much as I love eating, so here you go 😉 Thank you for your readership. I appreciate it more than you know 😀
Yes, it’s Chava. We certainly share the same passions for food and photography.
Fabulous! Amazing photos, beautiful family, gorgeous place…you are such a talented and lucky one, wow! 🙂
What a sweet and uplifting comment. Thank you so much!! It’s people like you who make me want to work more and blog more. THANK YOU for taking the time to read and comment on my little blog!! I’ll go visit yours now 😉
Ahahahah Thank you for sharing those beautiful moments and pics with us! 🙂
Top class as always Stephané. If a picture paints a thousand words, there are a couple of volumes here.
I think I went a little over board with the picture taking… It’s just that i am so excited when I get to see my nieces and nephews… Are you back home now?
Yes Stephané, we arrived back in Ireland over a week ago. I am getting stuck back into work here and our wonderful holiday is rapidly becoming part of memory. It will be a fondly remembered break. This one was pretty special. I stocked up with a good deal of Bergerac and St. Emilion wines as well as with garlic and a few bottles of Lillet. The latter to remind us of our meeting. I have managed to construct seven posts from the trip. I really had a great time. If there were a chance of your getting over here, we would love to attempt reciprocation.
Stay well,
Conor
It’s long been a dream to visit your beautiful country. I have so many friends there… You should try to cook something with Lillet. I think I’ll use some to cook some pigeons on Sunday…
Great thought. I must get the thinking cap on!
Fabulous. Just fabulous!
😉 We’ll have to go to Cap Ferret the next time you come!
I don’t like beaches, either… Or, bathing suits…
Yet another thing we have in common. But we both love seafood, sunsets and yachts, so here you go!
Love boats.
Heaven. Exactly. Gorgeous photos.
Thanks Julia! Have you been to Cap Ferret yet?
No. I should go.
What a joyous time! And, as always, great pics. The little one with his head in a book is a reader after my own heart 🙂
And his big brother is even more of a reader. They devour at least one book a day…
Your photographs are just excellent Stephanie!! 🙂
Thanks Malar! I really appreciate that!
I wish I was part of your family. 🙂 You paint such a lovely picture with your gorgeous photography. Nothing beats spending time with your family, especially having nephews and nieces around. So enriching.
So are so right. I’d give my life for them…
Once again great post dear Stephane!! 😉
And once again a big thank you dear Katerina! 😉
This really is a delightful piece of work, you have made me want to go on holiday to France! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures!
Then my mission is accomplished Chris! Here is to your next trip to France 😉
Thank you, I look forward to it! 🙂
What a wonderful time it looks like you all had! Great photos, the food looks so yummy. Thank you for posting.
Thank you Barbara! I am so glad you liked the post. 🙂
Oh Stephane! You make me fall in love with everything through your photos. First of all, the title of your blog “had me at hello” – seriously – then that cherubic little curly haired blondie – O.M.G.! The food, the wine, the water, the smiles. Oh – just dreamy. You are so gifted with the camera – so gifted with your words. I am so happy I discovered your blog – and hope I one day get to bring my hubby and visit your amazing world and get to know you :).
You are so so kind! I do hope we get to meet in real life someday soon!!