Before May is out..some 'Mayflowers'

 

A walk around La Roche-Posay

On Monday I led a small group of friends (social distancing) around La Roche-Posay. I started by taking them through the small  garden behind the Mairie but was disappointed to find that since Pauline and I did the walk earlier in the month the flower beds were in need of a good drink! These images are from the earlier visit.

A tale of two tall buildings...

We often pass these two buildings when walking over in La Roche-Posay and over the years I have come to like them both equally for different reasons. The building on the left has an exterior that in my experience is fairly unique to the town itself, certainly around here,though Tours offers some that may be classed alongside them.

The old co-op building (right) if in the UK, might be an ideal candidate for a 'Grand-design' but here it is left to stand as a monument to a past life. 

 

The apartment block (I assume that is what it is) appears to have been built by the same people who built the 'Les Loges du Parc' hotel (1905) in the centre of town but I have struggled to find any information on it.

Missing our visitors...

This is from 3 years ago when we were awaiting guests after a changeover - something we have not,sadly (financially), had to do  this year. Yesterday we had the last of our 7 pre-booked from last  year, bookings cancelled so no one to appreciate the courtyard as it is now. 

Back to project work at La Guerche -part II

I have made some progress at the project with the oak lintels now replaced (with recycled timber of course) and the new stonework progressing externally.

Had to remove roof support timber which I managed to do using the 'dangerous Brian' method - no photos but I'm ok!

Rust & Rose

https://www.loirevalleyexperience.com/

Getting a lot of pleasure from our courtyard at the Old Walnut Mill at the moment,something that would normally be enjoyed by guests at this time of year. 

Time to get back to 'lockdown' ?

After three  pleasant apero evenings, safely distanced, getting back in touch with friends, out of four (+ fun family quiz on Zoom) time we slipped back to lockdown perhaps!

First visit,yesterday, to 'filling station' since lockdown...

Back to project work at La Guerche...needs must

This is the back door of 'the project' at La Guerche - there is a number of things wrong here - the door opens outwards (never understood this concept), there is a large bulge in the wall above it and the wooden lintels are shot. Apart from that it is fine! We had asked local tradesman to quote to repair it but no one responded,so it was down to DIY!

First part of the job was to remove the stonework...of which, with such thick walls,there is a lot of !

Then remove the rotten lintels...which gave an interesting view of the hall!

More to follow!

Lovely ending to another year...

The slight relaxation of the confinement rules here in France allowed us to have a couple of good friends over for aperos last night to help us celebrate 12 years living here after which, Pauline and I sat in the courtyard until the sun went down...

 ...oh and Pauline got to light up her candle holder at last

Where have the years gone?

This is from 2005 just after agreeing to buy 'The Old Walnut Mill' 

Pauline and I are celebrating 12 years living permanently in France today and one of the best 'life choice' decisions we have made. It has been one adventure after another and we have met / encountered so many lovely people on the way. One of the happy coincidences on arriving in France was that we had arrived the exact same day as Cally and Nev and struck up an immediate friendship which made settling in a new country so much easier. 

One that didn't make the cut...

This photo looking towards the church didn't make it on to my slideshow of our walk around Chedigny so thought I'd give it an airing here.

A walk among the roses of Chedigny.

Pauline and I headed over to Chedigny yesterday and had a walk among the roses - under a beautiful blue sky. Below is a slide show of our walk in pictures.

Sunday's walk in the park...

It felt good to be able to walk in the public gardens in Descartes again yesterday after our recent period of confinement

Descartes..."I think therefore I wear"

Stretching our legs...in La Roche-Posay

Posting a previous photo of the viaduct at La Roche-Posay on FB prompted  us to go a bit further afield for our now, daily walk and over to the town itself.

It was eerily quiet as people seem to be still being careful with regards to staying safe plus the towns main attraction as a place to take 'the cure' has obviously been put on hold.  

We only saw three other couples in total as we did our familiar walk around the town and down by the river.   

Lovely lunch...

It was so nice today we were forced to eat lunch alfresco!

Ahh...his & her masks courtesy of the village.

Behind the mask...

Never thought I'd see this - nice little touch at the morning market in Le Grand-Pressigny yesterday with with a performance from the mini choir from behind their masks...surreal but appreciated. 

Blackbird singing...

              

It is always a delight and somehow offers some reassurance, to hear the blackbirds in the courtyard of the cottage here in Barrou.

Going further afield...

Joined friends,                    at a safe distance for a walk up behind Le Grand-pressigny yesterday. Good to have a change of scenery and the chance to interact with others.

Iteresting to note that scarecrow in top pic (sorry about quality) was made by taking advantage of empty bag-in-a-box usage.