No need to dream...a White Christmas

 

White Christmas at Chateau de La Guerche this morning.

Wednesday for windows - Chedigny

 

Nativity window scene in Chedigny.

Christmas market at Le Grand-Pressigny.

 

On Saturday we headed over to Le Grand-Pressigny's Christmas market on a rather dreich morning but we were impressed with the number of stalls they had  attracted and managed to pick up some presents from local artisans and joined friends for a glass of vin chaud.

The atmosphere apparently picked up in the afternoon and evening with a colorful Christmas tractor Parade as the grand finale. 

We had dinner guests in the evening so had to miss out but had a fun night at home. BTW have we told you the house is for sale?😄

Great get together...with a couple of introductions.

We had a pre-Christmas get together at Karen's yesterday where we enjoyed a lovely brunch  plus an introduction to a couple of American traditions. Alison had made a large tasty cheese ball as an hors d'oeuvre...

...and Karen had organised us into taking part in a 'White Elephant Gift Exchange'  which involved bringing along something that was not really needed or wanted from your home wrapped for Christmas and then used in a lucky dip draw, good fun. 

There was an opportunity to also try a swap of gifts within the game but some people were just not up for that.

* Apologies to David and Jane for not capturing them in the photo. 

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - in Tours.

 Papa Noel takes a rest on Rue Nationale in Tours - it's going to be a busy week for him!

A walk in Chedigny...dressed for Christmas.

On Tuesday we headed over to Chedigny for a winter walk around the village to see it was dressed for Christmas. Even without the roses it is still very pretty.

Christmas is coming...in Loches.

 

In Chedigny searching out Santa's little helpers.

At the post office...

...in the library 

and around the village,

Monday's walk, urban and countryside around Ligueil, in pictures.

 

Last night and day in Paris...just when you thought it was all over!

 

As we returned to our accommodation after our river cruise we decided to have a nightcap and spotted this bistro on the corner of our street that we hadn't really noticed until now. When we entered we were told they were actually just closing but they would serve us. It was an interesting place with their own wine 'cave' in the basement and with a very welcoming host. 

The only people in the bar seemed to be employees. We finished our drinks when I noticed a sign offering glasses of Champagne at a good price and thought that this would make a nice end to the evening. The host was talking to a lady behind the bar so I chanced my arm and asked the chap drying glasses if they would serve us another drink. To my surprise he informed me he did not work here but just enjoyed helping out! He got the hosts attention who,on hearing it was our anniversary, agreed to open a bottle. After finishing them we ended up joining the employees /friends in a round of shots and a wee sing-song making a lovely end to the day.  

As we had some time to kill the next morning we set out after breakfast to walk to Av. Daumesnil and the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, formerly Promenade Plantée which is a 'green' walkway along a former railway line. We started at Allée Vivaldi and headed along to Jardin De Reuilly and over the footbridge 'Passerelle André Léo' onto this part of the walk proper.

The path is interesting in itself but the real bonus is its elevated position which gives great views onto the streets and buildings either side of it.

On the path you'll find many benches where you can take a little rest if needed. The three below each has a vibrant mural painted by Caroline Laguerre a young artist living and working in Paris behind them.

The walkway is a pleasant way to start your day if you are staying in the 12th arrondissement.We had enough time to fit it into our day before making our way back to our transport back home. Our walking distance today was only 9km but over the four days in the city we walked a total of 70km.

If you have reached this point I congratulate you on your endurance  and apologise for the time taken to describe our short stay in Paris.