Wednesday 31 August 2016

Live music...Breton style...Tri Yann style!


Before going to listen to the 'Tri Yann' on Sunday I had checked them out on t'internet and YouTube and was surprised with their pedigree. The band were formed way back in 1970 during the 'Folk Rock Revival' by three friends Jean Chocun, Jean-Paul Corbineau and Jean-Louis Jossic, thus the name 'Tti Yann' - the three Johns in Breton. The Johns are still in the band and have been doing their stuff for 45 years!!

Their 'stuff' consists of a set of 'Celtic' music performed in outlandish costumes (which they stayed in all night)
with rousing tunes that make it difficult not to clap along. Their opening number could have been made for Pauline and I...'Far away from Skye'...



but we were brought closer to home later...

 

They also did a song 'Onion Johnny' which I'd love to get a translation for...remember seeing these guys in my youth (where did that go) and thought they were local men pretending to be French, surely it couldn't be worthwhile cycling all the way from France with a bicycle of onions...I now know better (check out)


Tuesday 30 August 2016

"Chatellerault, Poitou Port"



The weekend saw the riverside near the Henri IV bridge in Chatellerault transformed to evoke the atmosphere of the' port of Chatellerault' in the 18th Century..


There was a street market on the bridge itself...


and along the riverside.


With plenty going on in the river itself.


We strolled along and grabbed a bite to eat before heading along to the free concert for the evening.



Monday 29 August 2016

Sunday's brocante(s)...


With friends yesterday we took in two brocantes, first over at Chaumussay which is centred around the old railway station and line. It didn't seem to have the usual 'feel' about it for some reason or other. The road races were on and we had the usual noisy tannoy announcements but...maybe it's now all too familiar!


Even some of the stall holders seemed less than enthusiastic.




With not a great deal of thought to displaying there wares...this chap probably saying 'I know there will be something in there I want, if only I could see it'!



It was good to see something a little more formal with the 'artist in residence' his brightly painted pictures offer a 'feel good' moment as you pass by.


Unlike this offering!


We weren't tempted by it...or this...


or this


or these.


After a pleasant bit of socialising with fellow treasure hunters we headed over to brocante number two at Cussay.



Strange that the clouds were so well received by all...bringing a slight reprieve from the current blistering weather.


We weren't tempted by these...


or this happy chappy...


or him...



or this yellow fellow (would have loved to have seen the room it was in!)


Have seen this fellow before...many times...


but not this fabulous kangaroo onesie, Mike says I should have jumed at the chance to own it!



















Sunday 28 August 2016

Church on Sunday...Église Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais d'Onzain


The church of Saint-Gervais-&-Saint-Protais in the town of Onzain in Loir-et-Cher has origins dating back to the 11th century although the existing church dates from the end of the 15th century and into the 16th


The first parts to be completed,in a Gothic style were the choir,the apsee and the side chapels.






These were followed by the nave aisles and bell tower,although this would be rebuilt for some reason in the 17th century,


Due to a lack of on-going maintenance,like many churches, it needed a major refit during the 19th century.






Where's Joan?...sadly not here.




The rebuilt bell tower is of a fairly unique design!









Saturday 27 August 2016

Chauvigny...a view from the park.


On our many previous visits to Chauvigny in the Vienne we had only ever looked down on the public park and lake from the 'high town', so when we dropped a friend off at the airport recently we decided to go and check it out.


You certainly get a different view of things...and a pleasant walk into the bargain.





There is a path,not for the *faint hearted, that leads up to the higher part of the town




Once there you can take your reward of a refreshment from one of the local hostelry's terraces.  



* During the tourist season there is a 'courtesy' bus to take you up and down from the upper town.You can catch it at the tourist office and public park.


       

Friday 26 August 2016

Something else for the weekend...Château de Montpoupon -Fête de la Chasse et de la Nature


Sunday 28 August, Montpoupon hosts the 5th edition of the festival of Hunting and Nature 
This cultural event around the traditions receives each year nearly 10 000 people.
Throughout the day many events, shows and more are available.
Opening the festival at 9am.
11 am: Mass of St. Hubert sounded by the fallopian
12 pm: The life of the huntsman and kennel with dogs on hunting.
From 13h: permanent shows in the Castle Valley with the presentation of numerous packs (walking and / or horse), falconry, horse show.
But also contest tubes, wildlife film projection, artists villages and exhibitors, sales to auction hunting ...

Throughout the day visiting the castle and the museum is included.

Prices :

Adult: 9 €
Child (6-15 years): 4,50 €