Is it just me?...

   

There is an evening market this Friday in Descartes from 6.00pm on the Quai Couratin, along the riverside near Le Pont Henri IV bridge. I know this because the tourist office sent me an email to remind me...they do a good job of this but how would people who are not on the list find out?

If you put in the search 'marché (needs the é) nocturne, Descartes' in google the first thing you get is a PDF of last years events in the town! The official 'Touraine' site gives it a plug as does 'La Nouvelle Republique' but nothing from the town itself. The town's 'agenda' page shows little happening at all!

The pro-active touraine du sud site doesn't show it on their 'events' page but at least there is a link to their 'events newsletter' for August which includes it.

The email from the tourist office included a copy of the above poster but I found it prior to receiving this on a

 'google image' search on Saint-Flovier's 'agenda' page !! 

Now I know it is a small event but if they can't promote the small ones properly...

The group who are providing the music (9.00pm) for the night at 'Bar Saulaie' at the end of the Quai, "Laids Crétins des Alpes"(Ugly Raving Alps) sound interesting. If you wish to eat at the bar you have to make a reservation 02 47 92 32 26 says the tourist site or 02 47 53 70 33 or 032 47 92 93 54 according to the poster!

Rock Festival Yzeures-sur-Creuse

Yzeures seems like the place for the young'uns to left of some steam over the next couple of days...

Wildlife by the river Creuse...

Our current guests at 'Le Bourg' Les an Audrey have been able to catch some of the wildlife from the rear terrace of the house.

We are not sure what this bird is...maybe Tim will let us know.

Brocante bizarre...

Although my short excursion into Sunday's brocante did not produce much in the way of the 'bizarre' the guests at 'Le Bourg' sent me this shot of a stall that seemed to qualify...one can only assume that the tree is from a year Christmas was suspended in this particular household!

The big one...

Yesterday was the area's BIG brocante at La Celle Guenand I resisted the temptation until late afternoon but eventually gave in using the excuse of calling in on our guests at 'Les Balcons'. All it did was remind me was that at 450 exhibitors, it is too BIG! By the time I arrived the crowds had dispersed so it made the casual glance from the centre of the aisles to both sides rather easy.

My search for 'treasures' and the 'bizarre' proved fruitless...although this fellow above almost sneaked in to one of the categories.

Every thing here was awfy dear...

and these just clogged up my thought process.

My 'abandoned cuddly toy' was represented by this rather unPC lady who only got me thinking why was she bought in the first place and who thought there was a market for her! She did however have a certain charm!

Having your cake and eating it...

It certainly was...topped of by three(11 inch dia,) great gateaux one with 'Happy birthday' one with 'Joyeux anniversaire' and the one above. These were made by our local traiteur M.Torset who did a great job.

Friday morning was clear up time at the 'Salle des Fetes', although it was made easier by friends who stayed on at the end of Thursday evening to 'break the back' of the job.They rallied round again to  make it  go very smoothly -just as they had at the set up,couldn't have done it without them! Then it was back to us for lunch using some (so much food) of the leftovers.Colin and Margaret couldn't stay for lunch but need thanked so much along with these fine people.

Thank you...

To sooo many people for your presence

...and presents - too generous!

The contributions to the food were fabulous both in taste and presentation!

Great night with friends and neighbours -again thank you all!.

How did I get here?...

Tournesols of Touraine...

One of the many joys of living in this part of the world is the sight of fields of sunflowers that are beginning to look as they should after a slow start...more of our normal blue skies please!

Sitting pretty...

After the brocante on Sunday we headed back over the bridge to Descartes and Cyril's bar ('La Soilaie')  for a refreshment on the terrace...this is the view back to the bridge. 

Sunday's brocante and the ace of spades...

Crossed the river Creuse at Descartes yesterday to have a look around the brocante at Buxeuil. Clouds were gathering but we managed to get around before any showers...

                      although because of this enterprising stall it would not have been a problem anyway!

The village tried to brighten the day by adding a bit of colour but the weather forecast meant the visitor numbers were down - as were the number of stall holders taking up their 'pitch'.

We weren't sure if this chap was for sale,had been sold or was protecting some treasure but he seemed happy enough.

Favourite items of the day was this knitted telephone cover for those cold winter days

 and this padded bar...every home should have one!

We picked up this pair of shovels for €10.00

Church on Sunday...Holy Trinity Chapel,Richelieu

The tiny chapel of the Holy Trinity set behind the large doors of number 21 Grand Rue in Richelieu had intrigued me for a while and although it features on my 'Churches page' on www.experienceloire.com   I could not find any information on why it was there squashed between two of the grand town houses.

Last week when we revisited the town we took the opportunity to pop our heads in again. Inside there are some old photographs which looked to be of a school, pupils and teachers. The word orphelinat (orphanage) could be seen but the connection wasn't obvious. On Leaving the chapel we saw a group of people leaving one of the houses behind the chapel so took the opportunity to ask them if they knew its history.

They explained that we and the chapel were in the grounds of a former orphanage and as we looked behind them we could see some of the arches that feature in the photographs. So we had the answer but also more questions!  Tried to do a little more research on this but to no avail.

Richelieu Cape et Epee

Colin & Elizabeth have reminded us on their blog that this weekend is a big one for the town of Richelieu as it holds its 10th edition of its Cape & Epee Festival over 2 days. Here's hoping that the weather holds out - Sunday looks like the best bet! Below is a video of the parade from the last event in 2012.

                       

No strings attached...

Second stop on Sunday was the antique fair at Richelieu. On arrival we were a bit disappointed to see only a few clothing stalls in the large square in front of the church plus some stalls within the recently renovated covered market.

As we strolled through the market out the other side we were pleased to see the streets lined with stalls...  

offering some exquisite pieces that were way out of our price bracket but it was good to 'window shop' even without the windows!

It was the middle of lunchtime when we arrived and it was interesting to see how the stall holders took advantage of  the quiet period.The couple above choose to watch a movie (?) while the couple below, who were in the covered market, set up a table in the centre of their stall and looked very comfortable.

 Interestingly they were happy to have their photograph taken but did not want any photographs taken of their stock!

 My favourite items were the ones above...if they could talk, what stories would they tell? Would have been perfect in old silent movies for example. Mike who was with us said you could buy them 'no strings atached' stealing my punchline!

Things we didn't buy...

On Sunday we went up to Druye,near Villandry to their brocante, here are some of the things we didn't buy...

These moulds for...?

nothing here...we're no dummies...

this scary doll... 

these were too dear!!

After Druye (you can check out the church here) we went home via the antique fair in Richelieu...

more tomorrow

'Lunch Bunch' - supporting your local restaurant...

The 'Lunch Bunch' is an idea that came from a discussion  at the 'Barroudeurs' music night where we were talking about meeting up with friends Mike and Liz for lunch in their local restaurant in Lesigny. Other friends asked to join us and before we knew it we were 16 in numbers. So last Wednesday we had our first 'Lunch Bunch' get together at the restaurant there. For those who don't know, you can get a good three course lunch here, with cheese and often free wine for around €14.00 midweek.So its something to do without breaking the bank with the advantage of having ready made good company.

Yesterday we invited friends to join us in Barrou  at 'Les Tillauls' where Willi and Sandra did us proud, serving up a fine lunch on the terrace in the sunshine. Add in good company and how can you fail?

It is not something we have to do every week but we think it's a good idea for bringing people together and there is no pressure for anyone to attend any particular event nor do we need to have big numbers every time - though it is fun - could be you are just looking for company for lunch! It is also a good way to try different restaurants. Let us know if you want to be included in any future 'Lunch Bunch' get-togethers. Where to next? -looking forward to it already!

Boom bang a bang bang...

Last night we went along to the Bastille day celebrations at La Roche Posay where you always get a great fireworks display - we were not disappointed!