Mon banc dominical/My Sunday Bench...a quiet moment.

Probably as far removed from 'Hellfest' as they could be, captured these rockers having a quiet moment to take in the views over the river Loire at Sancerre. (Taken with their permission.)

'The times they are a'changin'...

I am referencing the Dylan song for a particular reason, as we are currently feeling the winds of change. Last night was a lovely evening with friends listening to 'I Don't Know' giving their final performance after providing many years of entertainment around our region, a bitter sweet experience. This and our own decision to *return to Scotland feels like the end of a chapter, with all the mixed feelings that can bring. Watching a familiar place shift around you can really drive home how nothing stays the same for ever.

Back to the evening itself which proved a bit of a challenge for the restaurant owners as it was originally intended to be more of an outdoor event but the inclement weather put paid to that. They were forced to turn people away and shoehorn as many as possible inside. For our party of seven this meant a table too up, close and personal  to our friends in the band.

Jane, however, came up with the compromise of taking the tables outside and dining there with fingers crossed for the weather. This worked out fine and we moved back inside after eating. 

Then it was a case of slightly jostling for space to appreciate the band. 

Peter and I,and later Chris, took to the staircase with its great vantage point.

As I said a lovely evening though tinged with a little sadness.

* If you know anyone looking to move to this delightful part of France they can check out our house here: https://www.experienceloire.com/house-sale.htm

An entertaining family affair...

It was a pleasure to be invited to join Gail and Chris and their family to celebrate her special birthday yesterday at the picnic area in Chaumussay.

There was a great turnout of friends with an amazing array of talent for the afternoon, all managed by our excellent MC and equipment provider, David. 

The afternoon's entertainment started with an Irish music set from David, Geoff and Chris.

Followed by a poem on 'talent' from Bob, my photo of his actual performance was missed.

Bob was followed by a very good set by Tim. 

This was followed with my favourite act of the afternoon, Jean, Cally and Maureen doing a hilarious sketch on growing old, complete with props. 

Then I did a set but neither my wife nor sister-in-law captured the moment. Peter followed me with his well performed humorous monologue. 

We then had more fun presented by the cycling troop the 'Spokes Girls'.

The great afternoon of entertainment was rounded off with David. Cally and Geoff getting everyone involved in a sing-song...great fun!

A big shout out to Chris & Gail for organizing the venue and providing the drinks for the afternoon and to David and Jane for their usual generous contribution of time and equipment.

Return to Sancerre...

Pauline and I continued our road trip taking Eileen over to Sancerre where we rented 'La Petit Maison Bleu' which proved a good choice as it was only minutes from the centre of the villag.

Sisters seemed happy to have arrived.

We took a walk around the village streets before taking in the terrace views over the Loire river and the town of Saint-Satur with its viaduct.

 

We finished the day on the terraces in the centre of the village sampling some fine local wines.  

Second stop on Sancerre trip...the Briare Aqueduct.

 

We made a slight (?) detour on our way over to Sancerre to take Eileen on a walk over the 'Pont-canal de Briare' the canal bridge that actually crosses over the river Loire.

We did the length, (600 metres) of the canal bridge there and back only pausing for the occasional photo shot.

Lunch at Saint-Aignan

We stopped off at Saint-Aignan for lunch yesterday on our way over the Sancerre area. It being a Monday we were aware our choice might be limited so I asked a local lady who pulled up in a Land Rover looking rather elegant, where she would recommend, she asked if we wanted 'bonne' or 'vite' when we replied 'bonne' she directed us up the hill from just where she had parked. On arrival we discovered it was a 'Michelin' restaurant and priced accordingly. Maybe we should have said we were looking for vite et bonne.

This highly recommended establishment was unfortunately closed.

We ended here which we had spotted open as we parked the car on entering the town, it proved a good choice with simple tasty food at a good price...interestingly enough 'Land Rover' joined us here!

A full day out in Touraine...

We went up to Loches yesterday with Eileen where we had a lovely lunch at 'Le George' followed by a walk over 'Les Prairies Du Roy' to Beaulieu-lès-Loches where we followed their 'Rue des arts'  art trail around the town. It is designed to introduce the public to arts and crafts with the opening of the Arts and Crafts Initiation Workshops supported by a collective of Bellilocian artists and craftspeople 

We rounded of the day at the 'Le Lavoir' in Preuilly-sur-Claise where we were joined by friends to listen to the ever popular Angie Palmer,who didn't disappoint! It was Eileen's first taste of her music and she was impressed. All in all a good day out!