Saturday 30 September 2017

Art at the abbey and for art's sake.


Our recent visit to Fontevraud Abbey included checking out some of their art instillations placed in different locations throughout the buildings. The one above, was a video of a naked man digging a hole! If its purpose as a piece of art was to get you thinking then it worked for me - was he digging his own grave or just a healthy outdoor type?


The web affect above was one of a number set out in the tunnels of the crypt...if it was meant to evoke fear then it didn't work for me but adding my own moans and groans in the darkness inspired others, I'm sure - it is important to release the child in you sometimes! Did it therefore work as art?


The 'great dormitory' was filled by this large 'instillation' by Claude Leveque, interesting and calming but at what price?


Many of the chateaux of the Loire Valley are filling empty spaces with artwork to try and increase visitor numbers and turn what were cold rooms into more interesting (?) places.  Château d’Oiron has in fact given itself over to art and if you haven't visited it you should give it a try


Chateau de Chaumaunt-sur-Loire has gone a little further with changing what I thought was its most redeaming internal feature, its chapel, into a piece of artwork!


Here in Southern Touraine every year we have our own popular L'art & Lard' festival in Le Petit-Pressigny which brings us art in its many forms.

Friday 29 September 2017

Walking around Chambon



This week's walk with the randonnee club from Le Grand Pressigny took us over to Chambon. Paul and Eileen joined us again...voluntarily. 



We have done a few walks around the village in the past and know that it always starts with a climb towards the woods behind the village.



It was another beautiful sunny September day



but we were lucky enough to have occasional bouts of shade. 



Although we know the routes around Chambon, Joel our group leader always takes us on unexpected twists and turns. 





The walk eventually took us past L'etang de la Forge





and the old still is still there.


The 'chateau ferme' just outside the village.


On such a warm day we choose the shorter (8km) of the routes on offer and were happy to see the village again at the end of it.


Thursday 28 September 2017

Being tourists in the Loire Valley


We continued to be tourists yesterday taking Paul and Eileen on visits to Montsoreau, the troglodyte street at Souzay-Champigny and then on to Fontevraud Abbey ,all done under a blue sky!

Side view of the chateau at Montsoreau


part of the caves within the trogloydte street at Souzay-Champigny





Something for the weekend,brocantes Sunday 1st October


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 1st October

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


BALLAN MIRE  Vide-greniers ***

BRECHES  Brocante et Marché Gourmand ?

CHINON  Vide-greniers *

MARCILLY SUR VIENNE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

ROCHECORBON  Vide-greniers ***

SAINT ETIENNE DE CHIGNY  Fête de l'Automne - Vide Greniers ***

SAINT MARTIN LE BEAU  Vide Grenier **

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place des Halles ?


Wednesday 27 September 2017

'La guinguette de Tours'

La guinguette de Tours bars on the river Loire

Visited Tours yesterday and thankfully it was nice enough to have a refreshment at 'La guinguette de Tours' on the banks of the Loire.

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Visitors...


Our son Paul,Pauline's sister Eileen and friends Catherine and Ian are over for a visit.


Monday 25 September 2017

Walking and the fruits of Autumn


Friends and our son Paul joined us yesterday on a beautiful September day for the 'Randonnée des Fruits d'Automne' in Le Grand-Pressigny - a good walk in good company.














Saturday 23 September 2017

Walk the walk...



Thursday's randonnee club walk from Le Grand-Pressigny was a dry run for Sunday's annual 'Randonnée des Fruits d'Automne'.We had a beautiful sunny day for it and can expect more of the same on Sunday.






Thursday 21 September 2017

Something for the weekend,brocantes Sunday 24th September



Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 24th September

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


AMBOISE  Vide-greniers ?

ATHEE SUR CHER  Vide Grenier **

BEAUMONT  Vide-greniers **

BLERE  Broc' du Moulin **

BONNEUIL MATOURS  Brocante Vide-greniers *

CHATELLERAULT  Vide-greniers ***

CHEDIGNY  Vide-greniers Brocante *****

COUESMES  Brocante **

JOUE LES TOURS  Fête de Quartier de la Vallée Violette **

NAZELLES NEGRON  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

NEUILLE PONT PIERRE  Vide-greniers ?

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  Vide-greniers ***

TOURS  Brocante des Bords du Cher

TOURS  Brocante BD Béranger ***


VILLEPERDUE  Vide Grenier **

Taking steps...


Progress has been slow at 'the project'  due to us having (fortunately) a busy rental season with the houses plus life (?) getting in the way but I managed a little bit this week. I have cast the steps necessary to link the landing to the new entrance to what will be a bedroom in the old 'grenier'.

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Taking to the high (and low) ground at Angles-sur-l'Anglin


Current guests at 'Les Balcons' visited the beautiful Angles-sur-l'Anglin yesterday and did the walk around the high and low parts of the village.