Coming up...a weekend of live music here in Southern Touraine

On Friday night we have a taste of Ireland with 'Siansa' providing the music in the square behind the church.

On Saturday we have the annual 'Festival des Barroudeurs' here in Barrou.

This year features,among others, the very talented Angie Palmer.

                               

We will be attending both, hope to see there

Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival..in the Loire Valley, France

I took these photographs during our June visit to this year's (2015) International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. It is a good visit any time of the year...be sure to take a hat if going during this hot spell as very exposed!

Church on Sunday...Saint Marcellin in La Guerche

On a recent visit to nearby La Guerche we were surprised to see the church door opened as we had tried a few times in the past to view the interior, only to find it locked'

The original church dates from the first half of the 12th century  with remedial work having to be done in the late 15th century when part of the building collapsed.

 A chapel was added in the early 16th century by the then Viscount of La Guerche which changed the look of the church both internally and externally.

The small earlier chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The 19th century saw major restoration work taking place bringing together local architects and businessmen.

 The baptismal font.

Example of the churches 'stations of the cross'.

Where's Joan? She's here with a little companion (?)

Some external shots showing the various stages of restoration work.

Second sitting...

The blackbirds have returned to their nest in our climbing rose for a second time this season...didn't know they did this! Makes me wonder where the first brood are, don't they stay in touch?  Doesn't seem that long since last time...lot of work again for ma & pa.

More for the weekend...

It is the first weekend of the season at Chateau de La Guerche (27th and 28th).

Guided tours at the reduced rate of € 4.00 all weekend!

Check out their website for opening/tour times

http://www.chateaudelaguerche.com/

Brocantes this weekend 27th / 28th June...

Small brocante at Bossay sur Claise

Brocantes / vide greniers Sat 27^th & Sunday 28^th June

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

Saturday 27^th

FONDETTES - Vide greniers ***

SAINT SYMPHORIEN LES PONCEAUX  - Vide greniers **

Sunday 28^th

BEAUMONT EN VERON - Bric à brac ***

BOSSAY SUR CLAISE – Brocante *

BOURNAN - Vide-greniers Brocante **

CERELLES - Vide-greniers ***

ESVRES - Vide-greniers ***

LA CROIX EN TOURAINE - Vide-greniers **

LA ROUCHOUZE – Brocante / Vide-greniers ***

LA VILLE AUX DAMES - Vide-greniers ****

LANGEAIS - Vide greniers **  Actually at La Rouchouze (7 km outside Langeais )

MONTS -  Vide grenier de jouer en 2 cv ***

NOUZILLY - Vide-greniers ****

SAINT BENOIT LA FORET – Brocante **

SAINT GENOUPH - Vide-greniers ****

SAINT HIPPOLYTE - Brocante / Vide-greniers **

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  3ème vide-greniers - jardin gambetta ***

SEUILLY - Vide-greniers **

TOURS -  Brocante professionnelle ***

TOURS - Vide-greniers quartier Vieux Tours ***

Something for the weekend...live music at Chez Grand 'Ma

We're going...

Brocante bizarre...Music chair,every home should have one!

Didn't  buy this chair at the brocante at Betz-le-Chateau but someone once did!

Sunday's brocante...Betz-le-Chateau

Got early start for changeover at 'Le Balcons' courtesy of early rising guests heading down to the Dordogne to continue their holiday here in France...allowing us an hour off to visit the brocante at the charming 'Betz-le-Chateau'.

Where the local garage didn't miss his opportunity to display some of his wares.

Loved the variety on this stall everything from a daybed to a loo seat to a mannequin dummy plus so much more.

  

Hats off to this display

and the usual forlorn...

Church on Sunday... Saint Ythier in Sully sur Loire

This Sunday we visit the collegiate church of Saint Ythier in Sully sur Loire.Dedicated to a former bishop of Nevers the church dates from the first quarter of the seventeenth century with restoration work in the nineteenth. 

It has a nave and two side aisles leading to the choir.

The stained glass window in the centre of the choir apparently predates the actual church,being from the 16th century. Perhaps taken from the original church of Saint Ythier which used to sit in the forecourt of the chateau.

The church contains vault of the former Lords of Sully.

Where's Joan? Sadly no place for her here and so near to Orleans!

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 21st June in Touraine

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 21^st June

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

ATHEE SUR CHER  -  Vide-greniers ***

BETZ LE CHATEAU - Vide greniers ***

CHATEAU LA VALLIERE  Brocante / Vide-greniers ***

CHINON - Brocante Rabelaisienne **

L'ILE BOUCHARD - Vide-greniers *

LIGUEIL - Brocante Vide-greniers ?

LIMERAY - Vide-greniers - ****

RIGNY USSE - Vide-greniers *

SAINT HIPPOLYTE - Brocante / Vide-greniers **

SAVONNIERES - Vide-greniers ****

Weekend of music...spoilt for choice

This weekend is the 'Fete de la Musique', the annual music festival here in France where musicians are asked to provide free (plus paid for concerts) live music in a variety of venues. The tradition inaugurated by the then French Minister of Culture in Paris in 1982 continues to reinvent itself with free concerts with everything from hunting horns to hip hop.

Check your local tourist office for what is on near you. or check out some of what's on in your department here

Locally at Le Grand Pressigny we have the annual 'Feu de la St Jean' complete with bonfire...

or we can head over to Le Petit Pressigny for some music and Paella! This is probably where we will go as friends providing some of the music under the name 'Le Trio Henderson'

There is also a band playing at 'Bar La Saulaie' in Descartes on Friday evening plus La Roche Posay has a weekend of events.

http://salomon-ricky-keys.wix.com/srks

Mug shot...

When Pauline was over in Scotland last week she went out to celebrate her birthday with five of her friends from school that she keeps in touch with. As they are all of a similar age they've had mugs made with their school group on it to mark this milestone.

Pauline,whom I met while she was still at school, is in the muddle above.

Brocante bizarre...Abilly

Didn't buy this at Abilly on Sunday...toilet roll dispenser with built-in radio...every home should have one!

The seller was very proud of it and tried hard to sell its virtues.

Abilly...in a bit of a jam?

Yesterday was the annual 'Fete de la confiture' and brocante in the nearby village of Abilly but jam was conspicuous by its absence! The high and mighty judging panel weren't in residence and things seemed a little quiet

Had there been some falling out within the jam making community or within the 'le comité des fêtes'?

In any case there were a lot of empty spaces...and not much in the way of 'treasure'...

although I did try and by this retro radio  which turned out to be lacking in the interior department as it was actually a tin in the form of said radio!