Back on the road again...

We did our first real walk (7km) yesterday since the current heatwave started and although it was a bit misty but with the temperature at 20 deg. it was ideal.

The sun started to break through as we returned to La Guerche and as we passed a rather sparse field of sunflowers we noticed they seemed to have survived the drought rather better than some we have seen.  

There was also some unexpected flourishes of colour.

What lies ahead...

We have walked through this arch many many time over the years, sometimes simply to take in the views of the village, visit the Prehistory Museum or when leading a walk through the ground to show it off to visitors - well worth the hike up the hill!

A cotton ball end to a lovely day...

 

This was the sky last night over La Guerche after we had returned from a lovely tasty lunch with friends over in Le Grand-Pressigny.

Fun with 'Mistiti' at Les Tilleuls...

Popped over with friends to hear 'Mistiti' at 'Les Tilleuls' in Barrou last night - she is a larger than life entertainer who has a number of artistic personas ranging 'classic French', 'Punk','Irish' and as last night's performance 'Rockabilly'.

She quickly got the audience on her side with her energy,song choices and costume change. 

As ever 'Les Tilleuls' created a lovely ambiance for the concert which had to finish before Mistiti could do an encore as we had our first real (very welcome) rain shower for months...did not dampen the enjoyment of the evening however.

How lucky are we...

 

These were our seats last night for aperos before joining some dear friends for dinner.

Monday's walk...

 Yesterday morning David led us out on a short walk around his property just outside Le Grand-Pressigny (it is currently for sale BTW) on another hot day here in Southern Touraine.

Bizarrely we had to give way to one of his neighbours on a scooter early on in the walk!

He managed to include a wee bit of welcome shade.

A cable had dropped from its post which offered the walkers a chance to try a bit of limbo dancing under it with only Maureen up for the challenge.

Then it was back out into open countryside and a few 'are we nearly there yet' moments!

The end of the walk saw us gathering under one of David and Jane's barns for a shared picnic.

A ray of sunshine...

Captured this sunflower on our walk this morning, currently with the lack of rain most of the fields around us looking a little sad so it was good to see some sunflowers are holding up. 

More on our actual walk tomorrow.

Quinze août part II...

Yesterday, Angela and Dennis reinstated the 'Quinze août' festivities at their home in Mairé, albeit on a smaller scale than previous years. As ever they were very generous hosts and the food contributions from friends made for an excellent afternoon/evening of music, food and friendship.  

David and Geoff provided the music for the afternoon to an appreciative  audience consisting of English, Scots, Irish, Welsh and Americans - very international !

Quinze août 2026 part I...

As tradition has it, yesterday morning we headed over to the annual brocante at nearby Lesigny. This year it was really just for the walk and the opportunity to meet and chat with friends and neighbours as we really do not need any more 'treasures'.

On the face of it we did not feel we had enough time to linger at this stall.

It is reassuring to see the winter 'furry boots' being discarded as it always reminds us of back home in Scotland *

*Checkout the connection here.

Franquette at 'Le Lavoir'.

Joined friends over at 'Le Lavoir' in Preuilly-sur-Claise last night for another set by the classy duo 'Franquette' good night in good company.

 

Sometimes you just have to,don't you?

On wednesday we did our popular 'wine run' with Dennis and Angela which took us to Bléré (Beaujardin),Chargé (Plou et Fils) and Vouvray. Above pic is how the cave 'Aubert' in Vouvray has dressed its tasting room for summer and it looked too comfortable not to try out.

We had a wee bit of trouble finding a spot for lunch enroute with our first choice Bistrot du Terminus near Amboise closed because apparently, of some 'damage'. We then decided to continue over to Vouvray to try our usual little restaurant there 'La Saint Vincent' on the Quai de la Loire in Rochecorbon only to find it closed for its holidays! We eventually ended up in 'Cafe Corbon' on Rue du Dr Lebled in Rochecorbon (above) which was new for us and it turned out to be a good choice - one to keep.

The sign of a good party?

 Snapped this at the end of a lovely evening with friends here in La Guerche. As we sat having a wee nightcap (as if we needed it!) we  heard loud music and the use of a microphone going on and thought we had perhaps missed the notice of a local fete. We decided to head out in the dark to investigate only to find it was actually just a house party around the corner! As we passed they were actually being visited by the Gendarmerie, we assume telling them to keep the noise down. Reminded us of a great night we had in our courtyard in Barrou way back in 2013 (😮) when someone called them in!

We were celebrating Mike's birthday and I set up my disco gear...lot of fun and dancing.

This pic I took sort of sums it up!

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench...La Guerche.

We love this little boldly coloured bench at one of our neighbours here in La Guerche.

 

Hovering hirondelles...

Morning hirondelles here in La Guerche.

 

Bonne soirée...

Joined friends to celebrate a special birthday last night - a lovely evening of great company and food.

The birthday girl making a complete spectacle of herself...with others joining her!