Our closest chateau...'Chateau de Rocreuse'

 

'Chateau de Rocreuse' lording over us from the other side of the river just outside Barrou...taken on Monday

Les animaux du musée de la préhistoire

Took these when passing through on Sunday's walk

Randonnée des crêpes 2018 - Le Grand-Pressigny

Yesterday was our annual 'Randonnée des crêpes' in Le Grand-Pressigny where over 270 visitors joined us for a walk around the village and surrounding countryside with the reward of crepes and cider awaiting their return. 

Heading en-mass along 'Rue de la Vielle Poste'

By the time we crossed over the river Claise on 'Ave. Andre Theuriet' the large group was already beginning to thin out.

Heading off into the sun and countryside and forrest people began to settle into their own pace.

The halfway stop for refreshments is always welcome...

before heading back out.

Le Grand-Pressigny and crepes await us in the distance.

Getting closer...

and closer still.

There was an option of 12.5 km or 9km with the shorter route taking you through the chateau grounds which on a day such as yesterday was looking resplendent under a blue sky.

Our final destination was the Salle-des-Fetes for cider and crepes which were well received by our guests. As ever, a great combined effort by the club in providing around a thousand pancakes plus  setting up / clearing up the hall.

Proud...

An English friend had kindly invited me over to watch "England beating Scotland" at rugby yesterday on the big screen at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny. Couldn't take him up on his kind offer as we had French friends and neighbours coming for apéros. As it happens I thought the game would be over prior to them arriving but got the timings wrong - they were kind enough to sit through the remainder of the game with us. It was great to get a rare victory over our great rivals,especially after the great run they have had...a long time in coming

A night out in Le Grand-Pressigny

Went along to Chez L with friends last night to listen to the music and have one of their very tasty burgers. We had heard the singer many years ago in a different guise but seated behind a wall in a very busy bar perhaps wasn't the best way to appreciate the music - but food and company were great!

A dress rehearsal...

It was a case of 'wrap up warm' yesterday for our Le Grand-Pressigny randonnée club walk. The route was the one our club guests will be treading when they arrive for our annual 'Randonnée des crêpes' on Sunday.

We had blue skies but the temperature didn't get up to much and underfoot was a bit damp, to say the least.

We walked west, well out of the village, you can just about see the chateau in these pics..

As ever the pace varied for individual walkers.

It is always good when your destination comes into view.

The route ended up with a walk through the grounds of the chateau which should prove interesting for our visitors on Sunday.

Something for the weekend...music at Chez L

Another little bit of progress...

A little more progress at 'the project', it's always good when plasterboard goes on.

Going backwards to go forwards.

Last year when we moved into the project we managed to create a reasonably comfortable space in what was the former shop to use as a bedroom and looking back, with a little subtle lighting, it actually looked ok...the reality was somewhat different!

We were in fact sleeping under the floor of the former grenier without a ceiling and with the original polystyrene lined walls. We are now trying to prepare the room for staying again this year but this time doing it properly. 

New walls and ceiling between the beams are the order of the day.

Making a meal of it...

It could be said we are rather making a meal of the project at La Guerche as progress is slow but it is actually the pigeons who are making a meal of it, they are literally eating our house! Every morning a group of them arrive for breakfast and peck away at the 'pierre' - as if we haven't enough to do!

Another successful Fete de la Saint-Blaise

New president and vice president after the church service. Then it was on to the main event where 180 of us spent a great afternoon eating and drinking...oh and a couple of songs thrown in for good measure!

Fete de la Saint-Blaise

It is our 'Fete de la Saint-Blaise' celebration today her in Barrou. It was an honour to be last year's president of this long established event. 

The day consisted of a celebratory mass in the church...

a march around the village square with the band...

the 'vin d'honneur'

with Sylvie,this year's president and the mayor...

and of course the banquet.

As ever, great fun which always involves a song or two.

The day is always fun under the direction of our great MC Dominique.

The 'English' contingent even gave us a couple of 'turns'

Last year we even made it to the evening 'Bal'

All photographs courtesy of Francois our village official photographer.