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!

This morning's walk and a change of direction.

 

Out on our walk this morning at 7.50am to take advantage of the cooler temperature. 

We had just about reached the crossroads before the camping when an elderly gentleman from Preuilly-sur-Claise stopped and asked us for help. He was searching for M.Moreau who operates an engineering business sharpening tools. He was heading to what was his old workshop which sits just outside Barrou but we told him this was now closed and he now works out of premises behind his house in La Guerche. On giving him directions as to how to get there we quickly realised he was still very unsure and was rather annoyed that he had to go back the way he came! Although it was obvious we were walking in the opposite direction he asked if we could get in the car and take him there. We decided I would take him and Pauline would finish her walk!

Setting the scene...

This was the scene dining with friends on their lovely terrace in Barrou last night and although their house is on Grande rue which runs through the centre of the village we had this clear view onto the surrounding countryside.

A wooden heart...

 

Spotted in the grounds of Chateau de La Guerche.

A weekend of brocanting...

Started off on Saturday at Preuilly-sur-Claise near the plan d'eau.

These seemed awfy deer tae us.

Then Sunday to Palmy around the lake.

On a very hot day an ice cream would have been nice but we were not sure where we could get one.

Then we headed over to Barrou where it is always good to catch up with previous neighbours.

The village had a good display of art in the Salle de Fete as part of the artisanal exhibition.