On Thursday we headed over to Chateau de l'Islette at Azay-le-Rideau as Eileen hadn't been before. On a sunny day it is a very relaxing visit. Sadly on the day we had a downpour but it did not really spoil the visit. It meant we had a good chat with a couple from Bordeaux as we all sheltered under the 'sun' umbrellas by the cafe.
Having visited most of our beautiful region's major chateau we took Eileen over to the lesser known Chateau d'Oiron on Wednesday, which for first time visitors, can be an interesting experience.
We have been here many times and are always hopeful that there will be something new and quirky for us to see and are rarely disappointed.
We were invited along with some friends by Angela and Dennis to join the locals from Mairé for the annual music event courtesy of the region's 'De Cours en Jardins' programme of events. On previous occasions musicl events were held in front of the church in the village but last night's concert, as per new format,was behind Chateau de Rocreuse, a place we had only looked up at and wondered at before last night's event.
Music was provided by 'Sweet Mama' who did a set of swing/jazz.
The owners of the chateau were very welcoming and provided refreshments after the event.
The highlight of the evening for me was definitely getting close up to the chateau!
Good to see the Lesigny Quinze août brocante returning - always popular.
Oh and you could pick up some garlic!
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So, on Thursday we did our 'wine run' visiting three of our favourite sources the 'Cave Cooperative de Blere' 'Plou et Fils' at Chargé (near Amboise) and Cave des Producteurs de Montlouis-Sur-Loire (now rebranded as 'Maison Laudacius'). Here in Centre-Val de Loire we are very much spoiled for choice for buying wine with friends each having their favourites. We have taken up recommendations which nearly always prove to be good and also occasionally go off-piste and visit random 'caves' in the hope of finding something different.
