Happy at her work...

Pauline happy at 'la vendange' yesterday... and we are off to do it again today!

 

Of grapes and grout...

 

Today is the beginning of the 'la vendange' so the Craigs are off grape harvesting Richard's vines in what can only be described as a military operation after all the effort put in to make sure everything  was ready. Early start with a feast of food and wine for the troops all prepared. Pauline has joined the ranks of the pickers for the first time,me, I'm continuing with work at the project house, grouting tiles - I may very well have gotten off lightly, will have to wait and get feedback from Pauline.  

A change is as good as a rest...and walking backwards.

 

Pauline and I are down in Provence helping Richard and Francoise move on their own little project. Francoise has been working hard on it since our last visit. Life is never dull - yesterday was spent in the company of the man who is in the 'Guinness Book Records' for walking backwards the fastest.

Church on Sunday - deeper into Indre basilica of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeu

  

On our way down south we decided that we would take a different route over to the A71 via La Chatre as we had never visited there, much like a great deal of the department of Indre and just for the change of scenery.One of the surprising finds en-route was the Romanesque basilica (11th /12 century) of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeu, collegiate church of Saint-Etienne, in Neuvy-Saint0Sepulcher. With its rotunda,which you can't fail yo notice,it is styled on the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the roads to Saint Jacques de Compostela. We of course had to stop and visit - glad we did. You can see more here 

Have a lovely weekend...

 

Sundown Barrou style...

 

Always seem to be between a rock and a hard place.

 

We spent yesterday clearing rocks, five trailer loads, from inside our little barn at La Guerche, that the previous owner had dumped there. The good thing was a neighbour, a good friend and a local builder got the benefit of some of them, with the déchetterie getting the dross! This exercise was tinged with a little irony as we had brought some rocks to the house to do the wall facing project (below). In our defence the stuff in the barn was a mixture of rubble, old broken tiles and much more.

We are also between a rock and a hard place with regards to our house in Le Grand-Pressigny, in that we are looking for new tenants as our current ones are hoping to move into their own house conversion soon. Like many projects here (don't let me get started on our door) things do not always go to plan and they have had / do have the stress of uncertainty re completion dates. This has the knock on effect on us - we are happy to have them stay longer but also want to see them settled in their own place! This is without the additional stresses of the current situation affecting everyone.

With autumns arrival the grotto is gone...

 With the arrival of autumn,officially, spent yesterday taking our 'sail' down and relieving the 'grotto' of all its fairy lights and bunting here at the Old Walnut Mill...looking a little sad!

Monday's short walk - back to Chambon...

 

Yesterday I led the Monday group on the short walk up behind Chambon into the woods and around the lake. A number of us had brought water-proofs with us but they proved unnecessary and it turned out to be a fine morning for a walk.

  

 

Sunday lunching and keeping the faith...

 

Set up the table for lunch yesterday morning  under our 'sail' while the rain was falling, trusting that Meteo had got it right and that the afternoon would be fine...and it came to pass!

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench, Rue Rabelais, Chinon

 

At the table of Le Calabash...

Last night we joined friends for what will probably be the last time we will all be together in 2020, for a night at the 'Table' of Sidney and Alison at Le Calabash just outside Chambon.

Due to the current situation this hard working couple have had to 'reinvent' themselves somewhat as their cookery school, which relied heavily on international clients, has obviously been affected. They have established what is a small restaurant experience (max 10) within their premises that allows them to share their unique skills with the local community and what visitors there are. Other friends have been recommending it having sampled the hospitality on a few occasions and we were delighted to get the opportunity to share in the experience.    

 

We were not disappointed, the food and service were excellent and as we chose the menu paired with their wine choices had a great overall experience.

Abilly's wall flowers...

 

The flower displays in nearby Abilly are always a delight with their wall of flowers always the highlight - this year is no different!

 

 

Another great soiree...

 

Great night last night with friends where our host not only gave us great tuna steaks from the bbq but also provided the evenings entertainment...his talents are many! Big shout out to A&D super evening!

Stepping out again - at Lurais (36)

 

Liz organized a good (short) walk for us yesterday over at Lurais (36), another lovely morning for it.

Monday's short walk around Ligueil...

For yesterday's 'Monday short walk' David took us around Ligueil on some of the old railway track and around étang des Chétauderies on what was a lovely morning.

   

 

Short Sunday stroll - long Sunday lunch!

Yesterday morning along with Mike & Liz we did a short Sunday walk around Chambon which set us up well for a great 5 hr lunch with friends in the afternoon.

 

A change of plan...

Got up yesterday with the intention of power washing the barn wall to get rid of the loose debris but found motivation difficult so at 10.30 put four clementines,a bottle of water and butter in our picnic rucksack and headed out.Bought bread and ham en-route and headed off. (we know how to do a picnic!)

 First thought was the park at Richelieu but arrived to early for lunch so kept going...ending up by the river Thouet in Montreuil-Bellay - lovely spot!

With old age comes...

The ability to do early morning shopping in an almost empty supermarket. 

It is also supposed to be accompanied by wisdom but to quote Oscar Wilde “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.”

What has it brought you?

A change is as good as a rest...same scaffold different wall!

 

Have moved scaffold tower over to Barrou to finish a job started by the previous owner over 15 years ago behind the barn...began chipping out old clay mortar on Wednesday what fun! 

Meanwhile Pauline managed a bit of 'me time' over at Angela's for a 'cake and bake' afternoon with the ladies.