Our last guests at the 'Old Walnut Mill' dined at 'Maison Dallais / La Promenade' in Petit-Pressigny to celebrate a birthday but they enjoyed it so much they went back on the last night of their stay, which is surely a great recommendation!
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Monday, 30 July 2018
Self raising flowers...
Welcomed new guests to the Old Walnut Mill,Saturday and returning guests to Les Balcons on Sunday. Love the fact that we can provide fresh cut flowers from the gardens.
Sunday, 29 July 2018
Bringing people together...
Said goodbye to guests yesterday at the Old Walnut Mill, lovely Scottish couple now living in Bath who, after meeting up to watch the World Cup final with Pauline and I and our guests at Les Balcons, formed a new friendship with them. They shared a couple of lunches at their respective 'homes' and went on a joint outing to Chenonceau.
Although changeovers are difficult in +30 degree temperatures good departing guests make our lives a little easier especially green-fingered ones!
Saturday, 28 July 2018
In the cool of the evening...
Had other options but last night chose to cut the hedge at 'Les Balcons' as the last guests, charming Irish couple, left yesterday and it gave me the chance before this weekend's guests arrive - although still warm some cloud cover meant it was not too overbearing.
Friday, 27 July 2018
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Brocantes this weekend...it's the big one!
If you have the stamina and can survive the heat then Sunday is the huge brocante at La Celle-Guenand.
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 29th July
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
Brayesous-Faye Vide-greniers
**
La Celle-Guenabd
Brocante *****
Le Liege
Vide-greniers ?
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Getting plastered on my birthday...
Progress made in our study at the project yesterday...before heading out to a birthday dinner party which included sparklers and birthday cake hosted and attended by good friends.
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Can you guess?
On a recent outing up to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire we stopped of at the church of Saint-Sulpice in Vallières-les-Grandes where we could not help but notice the adjoining property...
can you guess what he does for a living?
Monday, 23 July 2018
Sunday, 22 July 2018
Perfect,,,
Slipped over the border into La Vienne last night for a get-together with friends - lovely summer's evening with excellent company and perfect hosts.
Saturday, 21 July 2018
Wired for sound!
A group of us took in 'Mellow Sound' at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny last night couldn't help but notice how 'wired' the lead guitarist was...did he really need that lot? Hope he doesn't have to fly to any gigs as there is no way that's getting through security!
Friday, 20 July 2018
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Something for the weekend brocantes 21st/22nd July
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 21st
July
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
Montlouis-sur-Loire
Brocante ***
By the river, continues into the evening
Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 22nd
July
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200
stalls ****More than 200 stalls ?
Unknown
Chinon Vide-greniers
?
La Chapelle-sur-Loire Vide-greniers ***
Rouziers-de-Touraine
Brocante Vide-greniers *****
Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Brocante Vide-greniers **
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Music - bringing people together.
It was a pleasure to be invited along to a small musical soiree with talented musicians last night in the country and contribute, along with Dominique, to the evening.
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
Serious danger of looking like a home!
We are actually living in our house (project) at La Guerche and are pleased that we have salon and kitchen into a reasonable shape for living in...as for the rest of the house, well that's a different matter!
Monday, 16 July 2018
An excellent time to be in France - Allez les Bleus
We ended up watching the final on a big screen in the Salles des fete in Le Grand-Pressigny with our guests who arrived in time to experience their first taste of Touraine Sud - think they enjoyed it - the locals certainly did!
Sunday, 15 July 2018
Fête Nationale au Grand-Pressigny
We joined in the 'Fête Nationale' celebrations last night in Le Grand-Pressigny along with friends and neighbours. The evening started off with 'moules frites' at the 'Pre-histo' then we followed the children's lantern parade down to the moulin for the main event - the fireworks. A great show captured badly by poor photography...you had to be there!
Saturday, 14 July 2018
Some advantages of being Nomadic,,,
One of the (rare) advantages of our Nomadic lifestyle during the summer is that we get to take be part of three different communities Barrou, Le Grand-Pressigny and now La Guerche. Last night, thanks to some neighbours in La Guerche, who were kind enough to get us tickets, we joined in the 'Fete Nationale' celebrations. We enjoyed a meal under the chapiteau before heading onto the bridge at 11.00 pm for the fireworks. Unfortunately they had perhaps been a little ambitious with their display plans which included a floating island in the middle of the river. Due to 'technical issues' it was midnight before things got underway. By this time we had headed back to the house where we knew we would get a view from the courtyard should the problems be solved...and they were and we did!
I headed back on to the bridge for the grand finale.
Friday, 13 July 2018
Fireworks for 'Fete Nationale'
Some ideas of where to see the fireworks for 2018's 'Fete Nationale'. Check with local tourist boards for others.
ABILLY : July 13, evening guinguette from 7:30 pm followed by fireworks.
CHAMBON : July 13, fireworks followed by a free ball at the party hall
DESCARTES : July 14th, fireworks sounded from the island followed by a free ball
LE GRAND-PRESSIGNY : On July 14th, lantern parade, fireworks in the Meadow of Grand-Moulin + dance with DJ
PREUILLY-SUR-CLAISE : July 13, fireworks at the lake, accompanied by a popular ball hosted by Les Copains de la Brenne
LA ROCHE POSAY: 9.30 pm: departure to music with banda for a parade with lanterns through the streets of the city, 11 pm: the city gives way to fireworks, shot in medieval town
then dance - Place de la République
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Nerves of steel required...
Watched last night's World Cup semi-final along with some English friends at 'Chez L'. It was a night where nerves of steel were required, like the wonderful new art installation of a Samurai at the back of the restaurant. After a great start this young team lost their way a bit and succumbed to a winning goal late into extra time.
Being Scottish I know the feeling of defeat when anticipation is high, more than most - the title of 'best losers in the world' doesn't rest easy on our shoulders. I do think however that this group of players have a bright future ahead of them, although this will be of little consolation to today's heavy hearts.
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
This sign-maker is obviously a big 'Queen' fan.
Spotted on the road up from the Loire river towards the back entrance to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Tuesday, 10 July 2018
Whirlwind weekend with Paul
It was great having our son Paul over for a few days but he'll probably need another holiday to recover!
After picking him up at Poitiers airport on Thursday, a spot of wine-tasting was followed by lunch overlooking the the golf course at St.Cyr.
On Friday we had a lunch invitation with friends in Barrou and then the evening was taken up with the great 'Swing Pressigny' event in Le Grand-Pressigny.
Saturday was another lunchtime invitation, this time in Le Grand-Pressigny followed by the excellent Barroudeurs Music Festival in Barrou
On Sunday we dragged him around the brocante at Dange-Saint-Romain under a blazing sun, then to an apéro evening invitation in Le Grand-Pressigny.
In between times I seemed to spend a lot of time moving tables, chairs and tents around with other very generous local volunteers ! We rounded of his visit with lunch with friends at Maire on Monday before taking him back to the Airport - as an endurance test he passed with flying colours but as a relaxing break...!
Monday, 9 July 2018
Too hot, bot not a lot...
We went over to the brocante at Dange-Saint-Romain yesterday but it was too. too hot and we only bought some door handles before getting back in the car and out of the sun.
Sunday, 8 July 2018
Bravo Barrou & the Barroudeurs
Well done to Barrou for an excellent 'Barroudeurs' festival last evening, great night with a great atmosphere and fireworks!
MDM Blues
Le Twins
Les Spads
Fireworks
...and to round off the evening - The Roadsters
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