Historic Bluffton.

Whilst staying in Hilton Head last month we were delighted to discover that the 8th Annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival was taking place and that the highlight of the event, the Streetfest was happening on our 33rd wedding anniversary!

"Located just across the bridge from Hilton Head Island, Bluffton is a quaint, charming town. Antebellum homes, historic churches and unique shops line the moss-shaded streets of Bluffton's downtown historic district, offering a taste of Lowcountry living. Bluffton, a town whose name refers to its location atop a scenic bluff along the May River.
source: Visit Bluffton.

Calhoun Street in the heart of Old Town Bluffton, is lined with beautiful old homes and antique emporiums, it leads down to the May River and was the place to be on this beautiful, sunny day.

We had an enjoyable time browsing the booths of over 100 hundred local and regional artists and saw some wonderful pottery, ceramics, water colours and photography.

Many local restaurants were also there serving wonderful low country cuisine and seafood specialty dishes.

The Church of the Cross, at the foot of Calhoun Street was consecrated in 1857, the rose coloured glass in the windows came from England.
When Federal troops marched into Bluffton in 1863 they burned most of the town but spared the church, services resumed in 1870.
Since 1975 The Church if the Cross has been listed on The National Register of Historic Places.

Later, we took a one hour guided cruise along the May River.

Sadly, no dolphins came out to see us, but we enjoyed learning about the Bluffton Oyster Factory, seeing some of the nearby islands and learning a little of the area's history from our very informative Outside Hilton Head guide.

Joining Smiling Sally for Blue Monday.

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Island time...................

The garden beneath out balcony at Surf Watch.

Hi gang...................

The meeting in Savannah was wonderful and I believe a good time was had by one and all.

I've started to share some pix from our 5 day event over on the QCI Blog so head over there to hear all about it.

Mr B doing a bit of bird watching overlooking the marsh.

Mr B & I arrived on Hilton Head Island on Thursday afternoon and we are starting to wind down nicely and enjoy some well earned R&R (even if I do say so myself!).

The weather is glorious, bright sunshine & blue skies.

We've enjoyed a couple of early morning beach walks, where we met up with this bunch of doggie pals. (Can you tell I'm missing Mr Ben?)

Linking to Shadow Shot Sunday #128, at Hey Harriet's place this weekend, bye y'all.

3 or more Hilton Head restaurants!!

I know, I know............. it's almost winter and here I am still banging on about Hilton Head!

But you see I won't be going back there until next October when we'll be co-organising the QCI 11th Annual meeting in Savannah.

Some of you lucky people might get there before I do so I wanted to share with you and Tam's 50th Three Or More Tuesday @ The Gypys Corner,our favourite HHI restaurants just in case you'd like to try them too.

There's only one place we head to for breakfast or an early lunch and that's "Gruby's New York Deli". Split the NY Reuben you won't be sorry.

Since I wrote this blog earlier today NM has come visiting and asked what is a Reuben, guess they don't have them in OZ?

This is Gruby's NEW YORK REUBEN
Corned Beef, Pastrami & Swiss with Sauer Kraut & Russian Dressing
Triple Decker…

A casual relaxed place for lunch? Then you won't go far wrong with "Hudson's on the Docks" or the "Grumpy Grouper".

Want something quirky off island? You have to head to Bluffton and experience the "Squat & Gobble" restaurant. The food is excellent and it was packed when we went.

I'm not saying another word, go see for yourself.

For casual fine dining we always like "Bonefish".

And maybe I'll regret telling you about this "find" but a new place to us this last trip was "Charlie's L'Etoile Verte", a Hilton Head insider secret for over 25 years, I have no idea how we missed it all these years but it's a keeper now. They have Quimper faience hanging on the walls!

Please visit Tam @ The Gypsys Corner and all the great blogs gathered there today.

Bon appetit y'all!

Maggie.

Halloween costumes and cookies......oh my!

We are back on French shores at last, just couldn't delay our departure from Hilton Head any longer, although we gave it our best shot.
Once we had said farewell to the house sitter I sat down with a cuppa (tea, milk no sugar) to sift through the post (mail) that had accumulated whilst we were gone and discovered a note from the local maire telling me that the children of the village would be arriving in 3 hours for the annual Trick or Treat bonanza.
This usually happens on the Wednesday before Halloween as this is not a school day.
Because we are a tiny hamlet, 94 residents living in 47 houses but quite spread out, the parents accompany the children driving them from house to house.
Quelle horreur!! There was not a stick of candy in the house so we jumped in the car and headed to the local epicerie to raid the shelves.
We made quite a haul but when it came to pay I discovered that I had brought the wrong wallet and had only $$$$ with me. Not a problem, Madame said it was quite alright and that I could settle the bill in a couple of days when I was over my jet lag.

Back home again I quickly prepared a basket with a Halloween theme, donned my witches hat Mr B placed his red devil's horns on his head, I tied Mr Ben's pumpkin ears (deeley boppers) around his chin and we were all set.

These are the witches & ghouls who came calling that night.............................

See Mr B on the end with the basket?

If only I had had a bit more notice I would have made these fabulous Orange Pumpkin Face Cookies or these Spider web chocolate fudge muffins for our visitors.

Head over to Designs by Gollum for more Foodie Friday treats and eats.

Whilst still in HH we went one evening to an event called the Pumpkin Patch which was held at the Community Park at Shelter Cove.

Shannon Tanner is a Hilton Head legend and has been performing his Harbourfest Show every summer for the past 22 years at Shelter Cove Harbour.

We first saw him there about 17 years ago and it was great to see him again on stage at the Pumpkin Patch, doing what he does best, entertaining families and also judging the childrens Halloween Fancy Dress Competition.

Check out the baby Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz

and this little Hershey's Kiss won first prize.

One last thing...........don't miss the great 100th post giveaway happening tomorrow on my other blog Quimper Club International.

Click here to read about the prizes and here to leave a comment on the 100th post to participate in the draw.

Or simply click on the giveaway button at the top of the sidebar to go to the QCI Blog and read all about the fabulous 10th Annual meeting that took place in Dallas, TX last week.

Happy Halloween wherever you are!
Maggie

No hurricanes here...................

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at Susan's A Southern Daydreamer and she has asked that today we submit our Halloween pix but all I have is the one in my new header taken by my brother in law Andrew.

That's me wearing orange and the pointy hat, the pretty witch is the middle is my sister KE, the lady on the end, my step mum Joyce and the ghost & skeleton are AJ & Big Nic our nephews.

The photo was taken two years ago when the family came to Normandy to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday which was October 31st, Halloween!

As most of you will know by now I have been languishing by the sea in beautiful South Carolina for almost 2 weeks now.
You may also be a little tired of seeing palm trees and beach scenes, but guess what, I'm not!

I just can't help looking at the scenery, so in case the weather is not so fine where you are today and I know that some of you have frosty mornings and even snow by now, come take a walk on the beach in Hilton Head with me.

This time next year, October 2010, we will be here, once again, getting ready to host the 11th Annual meeting of the QCI in Savannah, Georgia.

Some of our members have been concerned about hurricane weather here in South at that time of year and whilst of course I wouldn't be foolish enough to say that there will not be a hurricane before or during the meeting, this is probably what you should expect.

Maybe I'll have some Halloween pix next week after I return to France and the village kids come around for Trick or Treat, I'll try!

à bien tôt
Maggie

3 or more Tuesday from HHI

It's 3 or more Tuesday over at Tam's The Gypsys Corner again and before I go walking on the beach this morning I thought you might like enjoy a peek at some of HHI finest palm trees?

This guy is right alongside my balcony.

I took this last night before the rain came down.

Tuesday early morning sunrise.

Y'all come back now, but not before you check out what's happening over at Tam's place.

Maggie