Surprise brocante...Ma Petite Madelaine

 

We had to go back up to Tours yesterday to exchange something that I had bought that was the wrong size - yes I do get it wring sometimes! That done, on the way in we had noticed that much of the car park at 'Ma Petite Madelaine' was taken up with brocante stalls. We popped in - first in years - had a walk around in beautiful sunshine but bought nothing. Our friends will understand why but it was good to be out and about.  

Spring walk in the gardens of the Musee des Beaux-arts in Tours...

On a visit to Tours on Wednesday we wandered into the gardens at the Musee des Beaux-arts to walk around the gardens. It was too early for their usual spring planting but we noticed the 'perfect' hedge was being worked on. If you ever wondered how they kept it so perfect they use wires, a ruler and a plumb-line and do a great job! 

We will come back next month to check them out again as it is usually a spectacular display.

Tours in springtime is always a pleasure.

This weeks short walk - around La Celle-Guenand

For Monday's short walk we headed over to La Celle-Guenand on what was a very pleasant spring afternoon. We started out from the carpark in front of the church which is still going through a major restoration.

We took the path behind it which leads along a small waterway and past the remains of an ancient monastery before passing a host of golden daffodils and some interesting houses.

We then headed over to the etang which we are more used to seeing surrounded by brocante stalls at the large annual event held here.

We then headed up past the Le Moulin de Civray and back to our starting point in the village.

'Sable du Sahara'.

The effect yesterday morning at Chateau de La Guerche from the Sahara sand / L'effet ce matin au Château de La Guerche du sable du Sahara.

Many hands...three men three hours.

Good bit of progress made yesterday, joined by two good friends  to lay a concrete floor on our little barn here at 'the project'.

 

This week's short walk - a good walk around Chateau du Chatelier and Neuilly-le-Brignon

 

Back to the 60's - the 'Rabeats' in Tours France

Went with friends up to Tours to hear the French 'Beatles' tribute band the 'Rabeats' on Saturday night.  We had dinner at Brasserie de l'Univers before heading over to the Vinci - International Congress Center to take in the concert. 

The group have been recreating the atmosphere of the Beatles performances for over 20 years and they do it very well. We and the rest of the audience,young and old, sang along to many of the great Beatles' songs. 

Monday's short walk...from Etableau

 

Monday's walk started off from across the river Claise at Etableau and along part of the 'greenway trail' before heading uphill into the countryside.

The weather was so good that eventually jackets had to come off and the longer we went into the afternoon the nicer it got.

It was so nice that by the time we got back to Le Grand-Pressigny we were able to sit outside for our refreshment!