Wednesday or windows - window dressing in Ferrière-Larçon

 

Moules-frites night at 'Le Saint Mandé' in Ferrière-Larçon.

 

With friends last night, we went over to 'Le Saint Mandé' in Ferrière-Larçon for the traditional 14th July meal of Moules-frites. Which were apparently delicious (I wouldn't know as I do not like them) and along with the accompanying courses meant for a lovely evening in good company. Moules-frites, thought to have originated in Belgium, are apparently the second favourite dish in France. 

Some of us even showed their appreciation by finishing off the stock in the traditional French way...and why not!

We could have gotten very wet...

The Christmas carol singers had our first outing yesterday the Ferriere-Larcon Christmas market. We arrived to very Scottish drizzly rain which had been on all day but as we left to follow Mr & Mrs Santa Clause down to the market it miraculously stopped! Allowing us to sing outside in the market place before heading into a very cold church for a second performance.

Carolling today at the Ferriere-Larcon Christmas market.

Wot we bot...last Thursday at Ferriere Larcon

We bought this chest of drawers to go in the blue room of our holiday rental cottage...a bit twee perhaps but loved the detail of the chateaux which are really well painted, think our guests will like it and only 15 euros!

What started as a cloudy morning soon cleared to become a bright, bright sunshiny day.

Saw this and thought it might give me some new material for our gig on Friday. Loved the look on the drummer's face, obviously their budget only allowed for one take.

Wonder what ever happened to him?

We didn't buy anything from this dealer as he looked a bit shady.

You will always find quality items at these events.

We would have had to push the boat out for this lot...we didn't!

Hard act to follow...

We did our second 'gig' with our Christmas choir yesterday at the well-attended 'Marche de Noel' at Ferriere-Larcon, where we performed in the church after the visit of Father & Mrs. Christmas - good fun!

Pauline took a couple of videos...only she didn't, she has many talents but film-making isn't one of them!* Thanks to David our choirmaster who supplied a couple of pics,,

*I am reminded of one my 'one-off' memory moment singing with a great jazz band in a club in Greenwich Village, New York which was saved for posterity as a photograph of her foot!

Christmas carolling - Ferriere-Larcon

First outing for the carollers yesterday at the Christmas market at La Celle Guenand...today we are at Ferriere-Larcon around 4.00pm

Yesterday's brocante...Ferriere-Larcon

Went to the popular brocante at Ferriere Larcon yesterday under a blue sky and  summer temperature. The stalls are set up around the sports field and filter down into the the village.

As ever there was a diverse range of 'stuff' on offer...

even you very own wheel clamp - every home should have one !

Although there were other things vying for your attention!

I actually bought the very first thing we saw as we entered the brocante - six large angle brackets for €1.50 which I need for  shelving at our  project.

Last Thursday's brocante in Ferriere-Larcon...

We had a lovely day for it!

Crystal clear as to this stall-holders theme.

Toys aren't us...well past their useful life although spinning top still had a bit of life in it!

'Ball-Trap' (clay pigeon) shooter ...you know you want it!

Spoilt for choice this weekend for Christmas markets...

All going well we should be at La Celle-Guenand on Saturday as I'm joining the carol singers for some renditions of some traditional English and French carols...after 3.00pm if you care to join us.

 

We would also recommend Ferrière-Larçon's market on Sunday if only to see how they adapt the church.to accommodate part of it.

May be extra holidays...

The month of May is 'public holiday month' here in France so this means you also get brocantes midweek, like this one on Thursday at Ferrière-Larçon . After 3 glorious day in the mid 20's rain was forecast for the afternoon and this meant a number of exhibitors failed to take up their 'pitch'.Here are some things you could have bought...

a modern commode...not quite ready for this...

another calculator...

 a straw donkey...

or an udder abandoned soft toy.

Although a sleepy little village its worth a walk around yet although we have done a number of times I didn't know it had this park/garden to the north of the village!

Church on Sunday....Ferriere-Larcon

As I have mentioned before I cannot visit a town or village without having a look inside the local church - its not a religious thing - its more of history thing. Churches are at the heart of most communities here in France and their story tends to form the history of the town or village they are in. As a result of these visits I would like to show you a 'Church on Sundays' going forward.

Where better to start  than the church at Ferrière-Larçon the topic of yesterday's  'a walk around'.

The 12th century church of Saint Mande and Saint Jean not only gives you two saints for the price of one but you almost get two churches!

                 

As you enter one of  Touraine’s most interesting and captivating churches with its imposing three-nave structure, you are met firstly by a rather austere chapel interior with a beautiful vaulted wooden ceiling,passing through this leads you into the church proper.