Setting the scenes...at Chateau de La Guerche

We joined friends to attend this year's play, Shakespeare's  'Henry IV', across the road at the chateau on Friday night - we were again treated to some excellent acting skills in a great setting. For us the stand-out performances were the characters of Falstaff and Hotspur but everyone contributed to a great performance. 

Seeking sanctuary...

 

After lunching at a very hot 'Le Saint Mandé' in Ferrière-Larçon yesterday, we headed straight for the church for a little respite from the current unbearably high temperatures. Then it was a quick dash back to the air-con in the car.

A detour to Villeloin-Coulangé

 

Last week we made a return visit to Montresor with Eileen but took a different route from normal so I could check out the former Benedictine abbey complex of Saint-Sauveur de Villeloin, in the village of Villeloin-Coulangé  only 3km southeast of the town. 

We had stopped here in the past to visit the church but I was unaware of this little treasure nestling along the banks of the river Indre. I think it was an old post on Susan's 'Days on the Claise' blog that that brought it to my attention but we had never gotten round to making a visit, glad we did!

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The abbey complex, which was extensive (see pic.below), suffered considerably from the Hundred Years War, then from the Wars of religion and not surprisingly the Revolution. What remains is however worth the detour if visiting Montresor.

Image from National Library of France

Quinze août festivities...2023 part II

For the evening part of our Quinze août festivities we headed over to David and Jane's place just outside Le Grand Pressigny for a musical picnic.

'I Don't Know' started the evening off with a fine set then Dominique and I did a short set.

Dominique was joined by Patience and then Aline before Celtiqua brought the evening to a close with an excellent set.

We all joined in for the final song of the evening and to bring the festivities to an end - there was many a toast throughout the evening to 'absent friends' to those who could not make it along. 

**Photo 3 courtesy of Dave Brown

Vid 1 Eileen

Vid 2 Norman

Shakespeare - Henry IV (part 1) at Château de la Guerche

This year, the Théâtre du Perron invites you to discover Shakespeare at Château de la Guerche with 'Henry IV', a play that traces the tumultuous youth of Prince Hal (Henry), as the revolt against his father King Henry rumbles. From the tavern at Eastcheap to the battlefield at Shrewsbury, scenes of comedy, intrigue, poetry, await you!

If you haven't been to one of the plays put on by 'Théâtre du Perron' you should perhaps give it a try as the back drop of the chateau is almost worth it alone. In the past we have to admit that the 'French' has gone completely over our heads but the ambiance and the quality of the performances makes for a lovely evening out.

 

Quinze août festivities...2023 part I

 

On Tuesday morning we dragged Eileen along for our annual 'Quinze août'  brocante visit to Lesigny with Mike and Liz where there was the usual diverse range of 'stuff' on display. 

The classic cars were as popular as ever and we thought Colin & Elizabeth had popped back to be involved but it was just a doppelganger.

A visit to Saint-Savin

Mike and Liz joined us on Monday for a visit to Saint-Savin as it was somewhere new for Eileen to check out. 

You cannot visit the town without checking out the stunning world heritage frescoes in the grand abbey church.

  

The town was having a 'Blues festival' which had been on from Friday. The last day was offering 3 bands from 1.00pm with lunch of a local sausage and café gourmand for 35 euros / head.

We decided not to take up the offer but instead listened to the street band with lunch on the square, where the band also entertained us. 

Sunday's brocante & fête de l'andouillette - Yzeures-sur-Creuse

 

We dragged Eileen along to the brocante & fête de l'andouillette in Yzeures-sur-Creuse yesterday...

...there was little appetite for the French delicacy. 

Love seeing these furry boots as always reminds us of the 'Doric' for "where are you from?"

We made a few purchases including these silk embroidered hangings to fit in with the oriental theme of the new bedroom.

Sisters...

Picked Eileen up yesterday from Poitiers - she's settling in nicely!

We have tried to emulate her lovely gesture of hanging a little bit of Touraine in our room by giving her a painting of the Ailsa Craig which she can see from Ayr beach.

Sunday's brocante, the old and the new!

 

Thankfully the weather returned to something more like it should be at this time of year for Barrou's annual brocante. This is a favourite of ours as it gives us a chance to catch up with some old friends and neighbours.

As we were going around the stalls Pauline noticed a coffee set which was identical to one we had in the past. Then some other items caught her eye that seemed familiar only for the charming lady on the stall to explain that she was now the owner of the 'Old Walnut Mill'! We had left it fully equipped as a gite so she was now obviously putting her own stamp on it. 

We offered to buy back a Roman blind that would fit one of the windows at La Guerche but she insisted we have it as a gift - how kind!