A walk to Barrou...

 

We had to go over to Barrou yesterday to pass on some news to a former French neighbour of ours so decided to make it our walk for the day. It was a lovely morning and the peace was only spoiled for a couple of minutes by two fighter jets passing overhead. 

2026 International Garden Festival visit...some of the gardens.

Below are some of the gardens from this year's 'International Garden Festival' at Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire. The theme this year is 'The garden goes to the movies' you can click on the garden names to check out the artist's inspiration. 

 

 'The Cannes Film Festival'

 'The red-kiss garden'

 'Window overlooking the courtyard'

'The Garden of Minâb'

'The Little Shop of Horrors'

A love of Loches...

 Captured this scene last week when we had a day out celebrating Pauline's birthday in one of our favourite places here in Southern Touraine - the lovely Loches.

Monday's walk in pictures...around Barrou

The long lunch...

Friends over for lunch in the courtyard here at La Guerche yesterday arrived 12.30 left 6.30 time flies when you are having fun!

 

More music...

Last night Pauline and I headed over to the bar in Barrou to support the fund-raiser  for the "Note à note" Music School whose students put on a concert for us supported by some musical accompaniment by Polo. Chris and Gail had the same idea and cycled over from Le Grand-Pressigny so we were in good company for the evening.

I caught this sunset on the way back to La Guerche.

Pauline's birthday funday...

Pauline and I had a lovely day celebrating her birthday yesterday, we headed up to Loches for lunch at 'Le George' (our current favourite place) but to work up an appetite we had a one hour walk through the public gardens then over to the riverside promenade before heading for an excellent lunch at the restaurant.

Then it was back to La Guerche for a wee nap before heading over to 'Le Halle café' in Boussay to listen to Angie Palmer with friends. 

Pauline was presented with a lovely posy from Sally and delicious cake made by Alison.

Can you tell we had a fun day?

Another good day out...

Alex & Nicole joined us for a good day out yesterday - wine tasting,lunch plus a visit to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire.

It was Alex's mum's birthday yesterday so we raised a glass to her.

This year's Garden Festival theme is 'The garden goes to the movies'.

We also walked around the permanent gardens...

and then the chateau.

A thorn between two roses.