Projects in 2024

Do you enjoy DIY projects, or do you prefer outsourcing them? We try to do as much as we can ourselves, but once again this year, we couldn’t have managed without the advice of our neighbor Stéphane and our friend Andy. Thanks to them, the pool is in perfect condition, La Plage got some lovely decorations (with help from our neighbors Joel and Claire), and our entrance now has a new look. The window screens we installed last year were such a success so that we created something similar for the doors.

In January, we’ll draft our spring project list, but we’ve already purchased paint and bags of plaster, so those will definitely be part of our plans. We’ll share updates on our social media channels.

La Plage Facade

This spring, our holiday home La Plage got a beautiful new white facade. The top layer of cement had started to peel in some areas. PH Vendée from Chateauneuf expertly handled the issue, and we’re very pleased with the results. We highly recommend their work. What do you think?

(Invisible) Changes

The biggest change for us was the arrival of fiber optic internet. Finally! You can’t see much of it, except for the fact that we replaced a satellite dish with a simple antenna for French TV. But you’ll definitely notice the difference: we upgraded from 40MB to 500MB and installed a brand-new WiFi system. We’re thrilled with the improvement.

Both of our septic tanks were emptied, underwent technical maintenance, and were thoroughly flushed. We invested in upgrades to ensure they work even better now. These are adjustments that you, as our guest, likely won’t notice. However, there were also many changes in 2024 that are quite visible:
• Welcome signs at our entrance.
• A cozy new awning over our kitchenette room, Le Sable.
• A sail mast at our holiday home La Plage, providing shaded seating under the sail.
• The trash bins have been moved from the parking lot to the orchard.
• As of January 2024, businesses like ours are required to compost, so we’ve placed lidded bins everywhere.
• This year, we didn’t have boring single-colored pool floats but a cheerful, colorful assortment.
• Climate change? For the first time ever, we had yellow bananas in our garden. Nobody dared to eat them because they looked so charming, so we have no idea how they tasted.
• Hemko has now a lovely assistant in the pool to sweep sand off the bottom, as that’s unfortunately not something we can do by hand.

(NEW) Activities

One of the highlights for us remains our weekly free activities from May through September. Starting this year, we offer three activities per week. Our list seems to grow longer every year. We’ve dedicated a detailed page to it on our website. We’ve also selected a few photos to give you an idea—without our guests in them, of course, to respect their privacy.

You’ll find pictures of our shrimp fishing trips, the local palette game and a simple variant for kids with a cup for the winner, as well as a visit to the herb garden just one kilometre away. Hemko also spotted many birds together with our guests again this year. We enjoyed watching soccer with our guests, went on plenty of evening walks, and once again indulged in a generous portion of Venus clams. We know a spot where they’re plentiful.

The visit to the Passage du Gois, at the moment when water flows over the road from both sides, was a favorite for many. We head out in boots and return as the seawater covers the road. Secretly, we always hope someone crosses the Passage at the very last moment because it makes for stunning photos.

Social media

A big thank you for all the enthusiastic reactions and likes on our social media! We love staying in touch with our guests throughout the year. We aim to post something every week, and since this past year, not just on Facebook and Instagram, but also on LinkedIn year-round. You’re more than welcome to follow us, and feel free to spread the word to others.
Find French stories and sunshine on:

Facebook Au Passage du Gois in Dutch
Facebook Au Passage du Gois in English
Facebook Au Passage du Gois in French
Instagram
LinkedIn

See you on our social media!
Here are the photos from our most-liked posts in 2024:
• Our breakfast on King’s Day (not a holiday for us here in France 😊)
• Our 18th anniversary celebration in June
• An orange blossom on our pomegranate tree during a Dutch soccer victory
• Aerial photos taken in August
• Hemko floating leisurely in our pool in August
• An evening walk in September
• A storm at the Passage du Gois in November

Aerial Photos

It’s fantastic to see our holiday location and surroundings from above. The photos are from August 2024. Drones truly are an amazing invention. Everything looks so different from the air. The colors in the garden are stunning! Right now (December 2024), we’d love to sit outside in the sun or float in the pool…

Hemko’s Personal Adventures

The year 2024 has flown by and is hard to summarize in just a few sentences. Of course, we have so much fun with our work, which we essentially do seven days a week for most of the year. In addition, Hemko enjoyed photographing birds in the area, listening to podcasts, attending a variety of concerts, participating in local Olympic-themed activities, watching the European Football Championship and the Tour de France, and serving on the board of the volunteers association in our village.

Hemko also spent time on his travel blogs. In January, he’ll start working on his third website and already has plenty of fun ideas. This year, Hemko also picked up a new hobby: collecting vinyl records with music from the 1960s to the 1990s. Do you have any great records in your attic? Feel free to reach out to him (just no ABBA 😊).

Vacation Photos of Our Surroundings

Every year, we receive beautiful vacation photos from our guests. Sometimes during winter, we look through them and imagine ourselves back in the summer. Here’s a small selection of the photos we’ve received. Of course, you’ll see the Passage du Gois, stunning, nearly deserted sandy beaches, tranquil walking spots, French locals busy searching for shells, the tidal harbors near us, and the colorful hoopoe bird that made occasional appearances this summer.

Martine’s personal adventures

As the photos suggest, Martine still loves spending time in our garden. This year, she published her third book. Indifferent has been very well received, much to her delight. The story is again inspired by what we’ve seen, heard, and experienced in France. It’s a romantic tale but also delves into cultural differences. Additionally, one of her works appeared in a feel-good anthology featuring stories set during a book event.

In the fall, she worked on her cookbook featuring French salads, which is set to be released next spring. Unfortunately, due to rising costs, we’re no longer offering a table d’hôte, but Martine still enjoys cooking with great enthusiasm.
For more information about her passion-turned-hobby, visit her Dutch website chezmartine.nl

Photo competition 2024

After the success of our photo contests in previous years, we naturally wanted to organize another one in 2024. The theme is vacation at Au Passage du Gois. There’s plenty of inspiration: our activities, the unique animals in our garden, or charming details inside or outside our vacation homes and the surrounding area. Who will take the most beautiful or creative photo?! We’re very curious. Photos are already starting to come in.

Anyone who stays with us in 2024 is welcome to participate. Entries can be submitted until December 31st at 11:59 PM. There are two categories (children under 16 and adults), each with a prize for the winner: a package of delicious products from our Vendée region or a print of the winning photo on canvas. Winners will receive their prizes by mail after the jury’s decision.

Click here to view last year’s photo contest entries. The photos from 2024 will be posted on our site in early January while the jury deliberates.
We’re still brainstorming ideas for thetheme of the 2025 contest. If you have suggestions, please share them with us. Thank you in advance!

Plans for 2025

We’re looking forward to 2025! Our calendar of fun events in the area and in Nantes during spring and summer is already starting to fill up. Guests can find these in the weekly schedule we prepare. With all the work lined up for spring, everything should be ready in time. This year, we’ll also tackle our storage shed in the village, as it’s becoming “a bit” too full. Do you face the same issue with your garage or attic? We’ve already sold the old Wi-Fi boxes.

We’re also planning to attend some exciting events. Keep an eye on our socials to see what we experience this year. The pictures are amongst others from a Olympic soccer match and a lovely parade in Nantes.

Martine has new plans for the garden as well. New banana trees need to be planted, as they unfortunately die after blooming—a lesson we’ve learned by now. Hopefully, we’ll have a mild spring so we can fire up the BBQ again soon.

Next year, don’t miss the event hosted by Hemko’s volunteer association on July 27th in our village. Local producers will set up stands where you can purchase meat, fish, and vegetables to grill yourself on the available barbecues. You can then enjoy your meal at long tables under the centuries-old market hall in our village, accompanied by live music. It doesn’t get much more French than that!

Hemko and Martine in France

If you’re looking to enjoy some sun, sea, and sand, you’re always welcome to stay with us. We still have some availability:
• La Bergerie (2–4 people): Available before April 26, June 28 to July 12, and September 6 to October 1.
• La Plage (2–5 people): Available May 31 to June 21, July 5 to July 12, July 19 to July 26, August 9 to August 30, and September 13 to September 27.
• La Marée Studio (2 people + baby/toddler, min. 5 nights): Available before April 27, May 21–22, June 11–12, and from September 14 to October 1.
• Le Sable Room with kitchenette (2 people, min. 3 nights): Available throughout most of the summer. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.aupassagedugois.com or contact us via email.

We’re excited about the new year and have plenty of plans, as you’ve read. We hope you also have things to look forward to. Wishing you a wonderful 2025 in good health!

Warm regards from France,

Hemko and Martine

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