Le Grand-Pressigny yesterday under a blue November sky.

More on Le Grand-Pressigny here

A walk with the randonnee club from La Guerche.

Yesterday's walk with the randonnee club had us starting from La Guerche and heading over the Creuse into La Petite Guerche before climbing up the woods around 'La Rond du Chene'

The initial uphill climb had the usual effect of splitting the group before hitting a welcome plateau...

Before heading back into the woods,

where we passed the 'fountain of youth' on our way to the centre of this interesting part of the forrest.

I recall admiring this pretty house on a previous walk.

By the time we were nearing the end of the walk the group was pretty spread out but all happy to have completed another good walk.

La Guerche from the bridge

Never get tired of taking this shot of the chateau.

The narcissistic yellow wagtail - gone too far!

It is now in love with the glass on the car - Colin, do I need to cover it up?

The narcissistic yellow wagtail

So, we took the advice of Colin and Elizabeth and covered over the bottom of the window as they said the bird was being attracted by its own reflection but it simply flew higher up the window in search of itself!

An extended 'Beaujolly' weekend...

Last night we were joined by our neighbour David and friend Karen to continue our research into the quality of this year's nouveau Beaujolais. It was a pleasant end to a weekend that started early on Thursday, being the 3rd Thursday of November and officially 'Beaujolais nouveau day', when we celebrated at the restaurant  'Les Tilleuls' in Barrou. 

On Friday night we headed over to 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny for more music and Beaujolais.

On Saturday night Pauline made beef bourguignon for our dinner guests adding a rather expensive bottle of  Beaujolais.

...and then last night. Think this year's got the thumbs up in most cases though couldn't find a hint of banana!

Nearly dearly...

On my way to the decheterie yesterday with my trailer, as I reached the top of the hill coming out of Barrou something made me slow down and suddenly from my right at least six deer crossed over in front of me - managed to snap the last two stragglers.

BTW our little window knocking wagtail is still at it and is actually becoming a little annoying! We have bought some food for it which it is happy to take,as long as it is on the ground but still contiues to knock - what is going on with this bird?

More music and Beaujolais...

Pauline and I went over to 'Chez L' last night to hear 'I Don't Know' and imbibe some more nouveau Beaujolais - not that we needed it. Cold and damp outside but full of warmth inside.

Beaujolais nouveau soiree at Les Tilleuls...

Good fun last night playing as B2B at 'Les Tilleuls' in Barrou for their 'nouveau Beaujolais' evening. Thanks to Pascal, Catherine & family for hosting.

Photos courtesy of Fabrice.

Day 3 of bird tapping!

Third day of our visiting bird tapping on window - still won't let me know what it wants!

Someone's knocking at the door...

Well the window actually! Yesterday this bird started knocking on our window, pretty much kept it up all the time we were in and has returned this morning. Have tried putting something out but doesn't seem interested just seems to want in...any ideas what it is about?

Another sparkling day out...stocking up for the festive period.

Good day out yesterday with Jane and Peter stocking up on sparkly wine for Xmas...took in Montlouis-sur-Loire, Vouvray and also somewhere new for us for wine - Blere (more on this later) which by coincidence I'd featured yesterday on my other blog

Flu free?

As a pensioner (wap), (I know, your thinking no way!) yesterday I took advantage of the free flu jab on offer here in France but actually felt guilty - should I have?

There are friends...

...and there are friends with Tunnock's

A visit to Chinon's monthly brocante...

If you are still looking for a brocante visit then you could do worse than heading over to Chinon tomorrow for their monthly sale of 'treasure'. With no rain predicted but under a cloudy sky, if you wrap up warm, the town itself and its fortress are worth exploring.

More on Chinon here

In the round on Rue Renoir

On a recent visit to our dentist in La Ruche Posay we couldn't help but notice this new-build up on Rue Renoir. Our first thought was that it was perhaps an industrial building but why round? Anyone know what it is?

Back in the groove...

Last year at the Le Grand-Pressigny's Xmas market

First rehearsal yesterday for the our Christmas choir - looking forward to our 'gigs' over the festive season. 

Exercise two-ways!

Pauline's expertly cleared potager

Yesterday it was dancing classes in the morning and gardening behind the Old Walnut Mill in the afternoon - no prizes for guessing what was most fun!

November at the Old Walnut Mill

Autumn colours at the 'Old Walnut Mill'

The last big brocante - L'Ile Bouchard fete de la Saint-Martin

Today at L'Ile Bouchard we have the last big brocante of the season and it's a huge affair spanning both the bridges onto the island and more.

Parking mad!

Spotted last week in Descartes, someone suggested that perhaps they are not good at reversing so they do not want some one in front of them but in that case why not just drive into the space?

Dancing,soup & cake...what more does a body need?

Big shout-out to the Comité des Fêtes Pressignois for organising their 'Fete de la soupe'last night...souper evening.

Great job made of the welcoming entrance.

Promenading...

After our wet walk on Thursday with the our randonnée club it was a pleasure to be promenading of a different sort last night at 'Maison Dallais', La Promenade, in Le Petit-Pressigny and even better as we were being treated! The food, as ever, was delicious.

Yesterday's randonnée...gimme shelter

It had been a few weeks since Pauline and I had walked with our randonnée club so after a lovely morning yesterday here in Southern Touraine we were looking forward to getting back out there. We headed over towards Abilly and as we set out it wasn't long before the weather took a turn for the worse. It had been forecast so there was plenty of brollies in evidence.

We were not far into the walk when we had to seek shelter from what was a heavy downpour, as luck would have it we immediately found some shelter under a large barn which saved us from a soaking.

After the worst was over we continued our walk...

you can see the result of the shower underfoot but we marched on...

with the sky still looking a little menacing!

Walking in the woods in autumn does bring its rewards. The walk took us through the woods over towards the Descartes / Barrou road and looking over towards Leugny, before re-entering them back towards Abilly. 

Every picture tells a story - by this time we were all a bit 'drookit' and some of us chickened out of continuing on the planned route and sought out the refuge of our cars - which by this time were a joy to behold!