Monday walk, around Barrou...

Yesterday I led our Monday group of walkers up to the high ground behind Barrou. The conditions turned out to be ideal with everyone enjoying taking in the views of the Creuse Valley.

A brief pause to take in the view of the three villages, Barrou, Lesigny  and Maire.

We ended back at the restaurant 'Les Tilleuls' in the village where a group of us enjoyed a good lunch. Big shout-out to everyone who came along. 

Bet your salon isn't as pretty as this...

This is the hairdresser  here in Barrou.

Sound of summer...

                    

The guest experience...

The courtyard last night,here at the 'Old Walnut Mill' as we awaited our dinner guests. We then had a lovely time as a very warm day turned into a beautifully calm and cool evening. As we dined and drank some good wines it wasn't difficult to see why our clients/guests like visiting here so much! The other thing that struck us was that the 'ill wind' that is currently blowing meant we had no changeover this weekend...and relax!

As you sow...

We re-sowed our small back lawn at the Old Walnut Mill in the middle of April and happy to report it is coming along nicely. It will never be good enough for bowls or tennis but we are happy with the result.

Oh and I managed a little more recycling using the broken / discarded  slate as ground cover.

A change is as good as a rest...

Had been taking a break from wall building over the last week (while waiting for a lime burn to heal) so used the time for another bit of recycling from the  'La Guerche project', using slates from dismantled roof to hopefully give us a maintenance-free finish to our lean-to.

Source of the slates over at La Guerche project.

One door closes...

We were sad when the restaurant 'Le Gerbe d'Or' closed in Loches as it was very popular with guests at the Old Walnut Mill who almost all stopped in for lunch when visiting on market day. 

The good news is it is reopening as  the 'Arbore & Sens' in July, we look forward to trying it out. 

Monday walk around Ferrière-Larçon

Yesterday's 'short walk'  took us around the village of Ferrière-Larçon and along its nature trail.It was a beautiful day for it and the walk provided a good mix of shade and open ground,

This quiet Southern Touraine village was looking well under the sunny blue sky, as most places do.

Planning a route...

Yesterday we did a dry run of a planned 5K walk up on the high ground behind Barrou for our Monday group. Tried to map it out on the app 'Map my walk' only to discover I am not very good at applying! Anyway timing wise it felt right and it will offer great views along the Creuse Valley.

Missing the music...

This time last year we were enjoying a weekend of live music in Le Grand-Pressigny and Le Petit-Pressigny - sadly. for obvious reasons, the 'Fete de la Musique' was cancelled this year. Missing being involved both as a 'performer' and as part of the audience.

From the first day of summer,yesterday - yet another rose...

Because we will not be having guests this year it will be the first summer for a long time we will be able to appreciate our courtyard and garden here at the Old Walnut Mill.

Scotsman and wife do the work of 3 Irishmen in one morning!

Pauline and I spent yesterday morning as tree fellers, cutting back our cherry tree (we are assured by friends who know about these things that it's ok) but maybe went a bit too far!

If it was a movie it would be the 'Handsaw Massacre'. 

 

Making the cut...

Pauline has an appointment at the hairdresser here in Barrou this morning... she could be gone for a while!

Just a rose, from yesterday...

Wall to wall, wall !!

Making some progress on my latest wall project at La Guerche...but sadly a long way to go - keeps me out of mischief !  

As luck would have it ...

Our Monday 5K walk around Chaumussay yesterday started off with a light rain shower that we coped with  by spending a few minutes under the trees, after which it was a dry walk...

...until just  as we arrived back at our starting point at the picnic area, when the heavens opened up. 

Our purpose built shelter however, meant we could enjoy our picnic lunch without fear of getting wet.

Zooming in for virtual birthday celebrations...

It was a pleasure to invite  Jean-Pierre and Caroline along to cerebrate his up-and-coming (Tuesday) major birthday event. As a surprise we invited some of his friends from the UK who would probably have been here in person but for the current restrictions,to join us on 'Zoom'.He was well chuffed!

As it happens June is the month when  Pauline,Maureen and Angela all have birthdays so it was an opportunity to make a toast to them. Oh and not forgetting a major aniversary for Maureen & John.

Little corners of the garden - episode III

Little corners of the garden - episode II

Little corners of the garden at the Old Walnut Mill

Little corners of the garden - episode I

 

Little corners of the garden at the Old Walnut Mill