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'.

One day, two fetes...

Yesterday we headed over with friends to the premier  'V'Art Festival in the lovely house and gardens of 'Les Viollieres' just outside Bossay-sur-Claise. On display were paintings by Charlotte, the owner of the house plus art in the form metal sculptures, glasswork, silks and specialist photo exhibits by local artists. The visit ended with music from 'Mistiti' who gave us a rendition of classic Edith Piaf songs.

You can check out the artists' work here.

After our visit we headed over to La Roche-Posay to their  Festival of Folk Arts and Traditions where everyone hid in the shade away from the sun 30+ degree temperatures - except for the dancers who were dressed in traditional costumes from their particular region who must have been sweltering.

The big surprise for us was a group of Scottish pipers and drummer.

For us it highlights how this part of France has so much to offer.

Awaiting dinner guests...

We had our first alfresco dinner last night with the arrival of the current high temperature making for a very pleasant evening with friends well into the night. This could be your experience.

Hard labour!

This image came up as a memory on Facebook from 2014 - a project I did for Miki the owner of 'Le Bourg', the property we managed for her in Barrou.

From this (above) I built the two terrace walls and made a set of safe steps down to the bottom garden.

I can't remember how many buckets of concrete I had to carry to create those steps but I remember feeling delighted when I finished!

 I certainly would not be able for it now!