Monday's walk...around Preuilly-sur-Claise, in pictures.

Two brocantes, one day.

Yesterday we headed over to the brocant at Chambon and then we went on to the one at St.Remy-sur Creuse both were really just for the walk and a bit of socialising.

Here is what we did not buy in Chambon...

and didn't buy in St Remy-sur-Creuse.

What we did buy in Chambon was this item for the princely sum of 3 euros which now hangs behind the door in our courtyard.

 

What's in a name...

This is the white wine we bought from our picnic hosts 'Domain Paris Père et fils' over at Chançay last Monday. It is lovely and the label happens to have the name of two of our favourite places!

A new lunch experience...

 

Joined Angela and Dennis yesterday to check out the recently reopened restaurant down by the 'river beach' in La Roche-Posay - now called 'L'effet Mère'.

It has a modern interior and a wrap-round external terrace,part of which offers shade,with lovely outlook.

Missing our morning coffee...

Pauline and I had 'fasting' blood tests this morning at the surgery in LGP so missed our usual large coffee fixes. Having gone the statutory 12 hours without we immediately headed straight to Marielle's afterwards for our fix!

Summer planting at Descartes...

Pauline had a hairdresser appointment (something I don't need) last week in Descartes so I made another visit to the public gardens to see if the summer planting had begun, as when I led a walk there recently all the spring flowers had been lifted to make way for them.  

I was a wee bit disappointed on the last visit as quite a few of the walkers were not familiar with the gardens and I wanted to show off this beautiful garden at its best. I would encourage them to make a return visit as they have done their usual excellent job of planting out.

Inside - out...

Captured this view as we were going around 'V'Art Festival at 'Les Viollieres' just outside Bossay-sur-Claise on Sunday. The house is beautiful inside and out.

Le Pique-nique chez les Vignerons Indépendants...a good, if rather hot, day out.

Yesterday we spent the day over in Chançay in the heart of the Vouvray wine making country at the 'Domain Paris Père et fils' for a picnic hosted by the family - an event organised by our friend Gail. The concept is simple enough, you bring your own picnic and the winegrowers warmly open the doors of their estates to welcome you and provide the wines to accompany your meal in a very convivial atmosphere.

The day started with a greeting from Guillaume Paris (the 'fils') plus a coffee & cake! Once all the participants had assembled he led us up into his family's vineyards.

The idea is to give you some history of the family and introduce you to the many aspects of 'viniculture', or winegrowing. We have done these walks now many times, so the walk, interesting as it was, proved a wee bit uncomfortable in the 30+ degree heat. Made bearable by the company of friends old and new.

Don't mind admitting that after around 4km in that heat the venue for lunch was on the horizon was a most welcome sight!

Our hosts were very generous with their wine and aperos and the groups picnic contributions were of the usual high quality. Unlike some years their stock was depleted somewhat by purchases from our group to remind us of another successful 'Pique-nique chez les Vignerons'.