At the head of the creek, in Noirmoutier en Ile, the tide is a long time gone. Making only fleeting appearances, during the twice daily cycle.
Lending a nonchalant air to proceedings, in the village.
Which is fully equipped, for pleasurable watching and waiting.
A bridleway leads north, from L'Herbaudiere. Snaking across the fields. The walking easy, over flat, fertile, fenland.
Hollyhocks dot the wayside.
Standing tall before terracotta tiled cottages. As, underfoot, the dusty path turns first to gravel track, and then to tarmac road.
Before it leads into the village of Noirmoutier en Ile. Where a small bridge crosses the creek. And the Chateau de Noirmoutier stands sentry.
Its stone keep was built in the twelfth century. Since when it has successfully warded off British, Dutch and Spanish attacks. As its predecessor successfully deterred Viking marauders.
Today, a twenty-first century stonemason tends to the mediaeval masonry. Readying it to stand firm, for another nine hundred years.
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