Something for the wekend - brocantes 2nd/3rd June

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 2^nd June

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

CHATELLERAULT  Vente de Solidarité Emmaüs ?

CHINON  Vide Grenier les Closeaux **

CINQ MARS LA PILE  Vide Greniers ?

      

TOURS  Vide-grenier Ehpad la Source ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place Velpeau ?

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 3rd June

ABILLY  Brocante Vide Greniers Randonnée ?

AMBOISE  Bourse Jouets, à la Puériculture et aux Vêtements d'Enfants *

BALLAN MIRE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

BENAIS  Vide-greniers ?

BENAIS  Brocante Vide Grenier **

CANDES SAINT MARTIN  Vide-greniers *

CHAMBRAY LES TOURS  Vide Greniers ***

CHATELLERAULT  Vente de Solidarité Emmaüs ?

CHATELLERAULT  Les Puces de Blossac **

FRANCUEIL  Vide-greniers ***

LA CROIX EN TOURAINE  Fête du Poney ?

LANGEAIS  Vide Grenier *

  

MANTHELAN  Vide Grenier ?

MONNAIE  Vide Grenier du Basket de Monnaie *****

MONTBAZON  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE  Bourse Multi Sports Cyclisme Foot Rugby etc*

MONTS  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

  

TOURS  Vide-greniers  Espace Jacques Villeret rue de Saussure **

TOURS  Vide-greniers Rochepinard ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers rue des Douets ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Quai Paul Bert ?

VEIGNE  Vide-greniers du moulin ***

You know I like coincidences...

On our way to see the adorable Ada in Scotland because of the two flights we have to take there and back I took the unusual step for me, of taking a book to read. I chose an old Ian Rankin novel, 'Open Doors' partly as I had never delved into his murky portrayal of Edinburgh in text and also for the obvious reason as that was our final destination. The book was,I think, his first first departure from his Rebus character so that also intrigued me, it centres around a heist in the art world of the city. 

The day before we took our water of Leith walk the story had the pursuing detective taking a rare day off to visit 'St. Bernard's Well' with his family during 'Doors open day' and there we then were passing the Greek Doric styled well on our walk!

BTW still haven't finished it...

Pauline pixilated or is that pixelated?

After the Chambon brocante on Sunday we headed over to the rose festival at Chedigny  where Pauline was distracted from the roses by this pixelated t-shirt.  

Sunday's brocante at Chambon

Had our brocanting fix at Chambon yesterday

Couple of items caught my eye but too old for one and not bold enough for the other! Though it did have its admirers.

Roses this year are giving a great display everywhere and here in Chambon was no exception...a prelude to our after-lunch visit to the Rose Festival in Chedigny.

Taxing times...

This year we opted to do our tax return here in France 'on-line' for the first time. I say we but it is Pauline, thankfully, who handles all things financial in our partnership - would certainly be lost in a forrest (they like forms) of bureaucracy without her. However even she can come unstuck, understandably, sometimes. The on-line process had her stumped after almost getting to the end. One thing we have learned about living in France is that if you have a problem it has to be faced person to person, so yesterday we headed over to the 'Tax de Impôt' office in Loches. When we arrived there was the usual queue of people waiting to be 'triaged' by their super efficient receptionist (sure she must have a more important title). We had been sitting for 40 minutes waiting for the English speaking officer when,aware of our frustration, she suggested we could perhaps start with our interview in French as he was available. We went in and I sat impressed with how Pauline handled it...all in French. It seemed all she had failed to do was tick a box! He did agree however that it was a complicated process even for the French but not so taxing for Pauline!

Something else for the weekend...Viti Loire

Taste 79 appellations of wines of the Loire Valley...or some!

More info here http://vitiloire.tours.fr/

Something for the weekend 26th/27th May

 

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 26^th May

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

ROCHECORBON  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

SACHE  Fête de la Moto et Brocante ?

SAVIGNY EN VERON  Vide Grenier de l'ape **

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 27^th May

AZAY SUR CHER  Les 28èmes Puces d'Azay sur Cher ***

BEAULIEU LES LOCHES  Brocante de la Trinité ?

CHAMBON  Brocante - Vide-greniers - Fête du Four à Pain ?

CIVRAY DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers Brocante ***

JOUE LES TOURS  10ème Vide-grenier de l'Alouette **

LA CHAPELLE BLANCHE SAINT MART  Vide-greniers  *

LIGNIERES DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers de l'ape **

    

REIGNAC SUR INDRE  Brocante / Vide-greniers **

RICHELIEU  Vide-grenier **

SAINT AVERTIN  Vide-greniers ?

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE  Vide Grenier **

SOUVIGNE  Vide Greniers **

TOURS  Antiquités Brocante Boulevard Béranger ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place Beaujardin ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers Groupe Scolaire Musset Vigny ***

TOURS BEAUJARDIN  Brocante Vide Grenier ***

VILLANDRY  Vide-greniers ?

Source: http://brocabrac.fr

10 years and friendships...

Our little soiree on Monday evening to celebrate our 10 years here in France was a great opportunity to get friends and neighbors together and thank them for their support and friendship during our time here. There were however many others who were out of the country (or sailing on canal boats) who have contributed to making our time here so enjoyable. A shout out goes to Mike & Liz, Karen, Margaret & Norman, Dennis & Angela, Denis & Pauline, Mike & Pat, Colin & Elizabeth, Doreen & Michael, Roger & Liz plus many others who have touched our lives.

Over the years we have many great get-togethers.

Sadly we have lost some dear friends along the way who are badly missed but who played their part in our great French experience.

The auld yins get to spend time with adorable Ada.

Our Edinburgh walk last Wednesday also consisted of a picnic in the grounds of the Scottish National gallery of modern art on what was a lovely day weather wise.

It was great to have time with Michael, Rose and Ada and made even better as Mara joined us for the day. 

We even introduced Ada to a bit of culture with a short visit to the gallery.

Celebrating 10 years in France

Great gathering of friends and neighbours last night to help Pauline and I,along with our friend Cally celebrate 10 years (to the day) of living in France. Cally arrived in France on the exact same day as us along with Nev who sadly is no longer with us and we have shared many great experiences together over the years. Miki, the owner of 'Le Bourg' was kind enough to let us use it as the venue and it was ideal as with over 70 guests it meant we could spill out onto the terrace which was looking good for the occasion.

 

A big thank you goes out to everyone who joined us for the occasion and who were too generous with their gifts and contributions. As I said last night you have all contributed to making our life in France a really special part of our lives.

'Water of Leith' walk in Edinburgh with Ada,Michael & Rose

 After our stay with Paul in Glasgow we headed over to Edinburgh to visit Michael & Rose and the adorable Ada.We were lucky enough to have great weather which meant we could get out and about. On Wednesday they took us along the 'Water of Leith' walk which is easily accessible from their home.

It is delightful...

the walk takes you through Stockbridge, under the Dean bridge and onto the 19th century buildings of the beautiful Dean Village.

Visiting family in Scotland

We were over in Scotland last week for a few days for a family visit. Ryanair got us to Glasgow via Stansted where Paul put us up for the night and we had a good catch up over dinner and his local Chinese restaurant...very nice! He lives in the Anniesland district of the city which boasts this delightful former art deco cinema. He is also near the Clyde canal and took us a short walk to show us the nearest lock.

It is always a joy to visit Glasgow as the people are a unique breed and probably among the friendliest people in the world. We knew we had arrived as the signs were there...sunglasses and fluffy slippers at the airport...ah Glasgow!

Next stop Edinburgh!