Sunday 30 July 2017

Another successful Ciran spectacular


We checked out this year's Ciran 'spectacular'  'Alors, on Danse' last night after having been entertained by some friends in the village and came away yet again full of admiration for the organisers who again excelled themselves with this, the first of a new production. 



It was good to see a good turn out for the event


We were taken around the world...



which included a trip to Scotland...



and a visit from the Lochness Monster.



Definitely the highlight of the evening for us!




England was represented by a unique version of the 'Full Monty'




The night ended with the usual splendid fireworks display


Saturday 29 July 2017

Americans visiting the gardens of the Loire Valley


Yesterday we said farewell to the latest guests at the Old Walnut Mill who were visiting France from the USA. Their favourite visits were to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire and the gardens at Chateau Villandry.


Here is their comment from the house's guestbook:

"Dear Pauline & Jim, Tom and I so enjoyed our stay. Your home is beautiful and so comfortable! By far the best bedroom I have had since I arrived (in France) and your suggestions for daily travel were spot on and very welcome. Thank you for being the hands on hosts that you were so, as to me you seem more like friends than anything else. I wish you the best of luck with all of your ventures. We will always remember your warmth and hospitality."

Joyce & Tom Semmes
Frederick, Maryland,
USA

Friday 28 July 2017

Church on Sunday -Saint Eulalie in Genille









Three days...three houses

Pauline and I are in the middle of preparing the three houses for incoming guests. First of all was 'Le Bourg' where guests arrived yesterday, today we are at the 'Old Walnut Mill' where our American guest is leaving today and new guests arrive tomorrow. Then it's 'Les Balcons' tomorrow where new guests are also arriving. We are, I suppose, lucky to have our guests arriving and departing at different times as don't know how we could manage all three in one day...we couldn't! Next weekend we actually have a double changeover, which we can just about cope with.

Le Bourg

Les Balcons

Old Walnut Mill

Thursday 27 July 2017

Something for the weekend Sunday 30th July...brocantes

This Sunday is the 'big one' at La Celle-Guenand,plenty of opportunities to find some treasure.

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 30th July

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


AZAY LE RIDEAU  Brocante de l'ile *

BLERE  Vide Grenier ***

BRAYE SOUS FAYE  Vide-greniers **

LA CELLE GUENAND  Fête des Métiers et Brocante *****

LE LIEGE  Brocante Vide-greniers ***
  

SAINTE CATHERINE DE FIERBOIS  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

THENEUIL  Fête Villageoise – Brocante 

Wednesday 26 July 2017

More chocolate...


We had to print off some rail tickets for our guests at the Old Walnut Mill and as they had popped in to the 'chocolaterie' in Manthelan, on our recommendation, on their way to the Garden Festival at Chaumont we were 'rewarded' by sampling some of their interesting purchases. We had missed these - chocolates with a little 'bottle' of liquor attached which had to be drunk along with the chocolate - could see this becoming a party game - 'guess the liquor'

Tuesday 25 July 2017

Going underground for my birthday...


For my birthday yesterday we managed to cram in a reasonably busy day. We were joined by friends Mike and Liz on a day that started really well for me - a visit to the 'chocolaterie' in Manthelan for a spot of 'tasting' and buying, highly recommend it!


Then we headed over to our favourite vintner for a spot of wine tasting (as if we need to) and buying.As it was nearing lunchtime we were joined in an apero by our delightful host.


Lunch was at  ‘Le Pied dans le plat' just outside Charge.


After lunch we headed over to Bourré to do a little research in the mushroom caves and 'La Ville Souterraine'


Interesting though 'La Ville Souterraine' is, it is a bit of a misnomer as it proved to be a very small section of the caves amounting to part of a street rather than a 'ville'


Back to Barrou and an invite to the Old Walnut Mill from our current guests to join them for a bite to eat and a few drinks - all in all a very good day !


Monday 24 July 2017

Les tournesols ne se tournent pas


Looking towards La Guerche from behind le Petite Guerche...try as I might could not get the sunflowers to turnaround for the pic..

Sunday 23 July 2017

Church on Sunday - Saint Pierre de Rest, Montsoreau


The church of Saint Pierre de Rest in Montsoreau  takes its name (Rest or Retz) from a former Gallo-Roman villa that once occupied the site and is dedicated,appropriately enough to Saint Peter the patron saint of fishermen. Its situation which was actually outside the walls of the village,on a flood plain,meant that it was lost to the river many times over its history and also has to compete for favour with four other churches actually in the village. 


Despite this,from its 12th century origins survive it did. Survival meant raising the ground level around the building to hold back the river and blocking up some of the windows. To gain access you have to press a switch by the right of the door under the porch.



Inside a long narrow nave, restored in the 18th century, leads through the chancel to a beautiful apse with detailed columns and sculpted capitals plus three stained glass windows.




The church features two narrow side chapels.






The ceiling of the nave did not instil you with a great deal of confidence with regards to its construction but one assumes it has been there a long time and doesn't intend going anywhere soon.


The church appears to have two baptismal fonts plus a third 'bowl' described as 'monolithic'.





There is a plethora of art work with copies of major works  plus a modern interpretation of Jesus and his twelve apostles,on which the jury is still out on!




Other features include a simple pulpit,



an interesting set of 'stations of the cross'




plus some 15th century choir stalls which were originally in the nearby abbey at Fontevraud.



It has a fine collection of stained glass windows...




including this intriguing one which features a saintly figure of a shepherdess 'Jeanne', (could this be our 'Joan'?) which has been dedicated to a lost niece.