The handover...

 

Held over the keys last night to our new tenants at 'Les Balcons'. They are renting it unfurnished which meant a bit of 'life laundering' but still have quite a bit to dispose of but will have to wait until we can have a 'vide grenier' once the rules are relaxed.

 

We had a last look for a while from the balcony... 

before wishing them a good stay.

Letting in the light...

As part of the preparation for the imminent arrival of our new tenants at 'Les Balcons' we decided to cut the laurel hedge at the rear of the house which had gotten slightly out of control and grown to an unmanageable height. It was a job best left to the professionals with the appropriate gear,so we called in the Crawfords. Alex and Nicole soon had it tamed, revealing light and a view that had been lost to us!  

 

Another thing slightly out of control was our wisteria around the pergola - Pauline and I tackled this and we hope that it will recover one day - I'm sure it will!

Still colour at 'Les Balcon'

 

Took this yesterday in the garden at Les Balcons while working there.

Election and other distractions...

Didn't post yesterday as distracted by the shenanigans across the pond  plus busy emptying the outhouse,garage and cave (not of wine BTW) at 'Les Balcons'  - no mean feat for a collector of 'stuff, I can tell you! Thank goodness the déchetterie has remained open!

Picture this...

 

Emptying 'Les Balcons' for our new tenants who are taking it on an unfurnished basis means we are acquiring more 'stuff' to deal with. We took down 34 wall hangings that now have to be dealt with, shame there are no brocantes allowed!

Under pressure...we are now!

We started to empty 'Les Balcons' yesterday to allow new tenants in who are renting it unfurnished.We had allowed ourselves a month from our previous tenants vacating it to give us time to rehouse/sell some of the furniture and do a bit of life-laundering and any maintenance that might be required. We made a good start yesterday with the help of Alex and Nicole and were confident that our timescale was fairly relaxed - now we have 'lockdown' again which puts a whole new perspective on things! Hey ho and away we go!

World travellers stopping in at Le Grand-Pressigny

The lovely courtyard at 'Chez Grand Ma'

Said goodbye yesterday to our Australian guests who loved Le Grand-Pressigny especially the restaurants...they used all three! We enjoy exposing world travellers to our beautiful part of France. After a changeover we welcomed a charming American couple who are on a mission to find a home for themselves here...exciting times!

The welcoming 'Chez L'

'La Savoie Villars' dining room

Our Australian guests comments:

14/09/18

Thank you Jim & Pauline for a wonderful stay at 'Les Balcons', gracious hosts providing  lots of information...great stay!

Lyn & Carrick,

Rhonda & Robert,

Australia

Rewarded for our efforts...

Last nights sunset here in Southern Touraine

Greeted two new sets of guests yesterday from UK and Australia, getting both the 'Old Walnut Mill' and 'Les Balcons' ready was hard work but when we get comments (albeit we think, too generous) like the one below it reassures us that we are doing a good job!

7th September 2018

Dear Pauline & Jim what can I say that hasn't been said already? The Old Walnut Mill is fabulous! Barrou is quaint with all the facilities we have needed. The local people are friendly but most of all the friendship and help of you two has been wonderful! The emails that Jim sends with suggested highlights were most helpful and directed us to some of the highs-spots of our holiday.

All in all a splendid gite run by two splendid people . Many thanks again!

Jean  & Ian Thompson,

Kath & Barry Ashurst,

Sutton Coldfield,

UK

The spell of Southern Touraine

Our departing guests at 'Les Balcons' had 'done' the major chateau and sites on previous visits to the region and wanted to sample the delights of Southern Touraine...they left happy!

Here is their comment from the guestbook

"Jim & Pauline thanks for a lovely stay, 'Les Balcons is a very fine 'gite'. everything we needed,all perfect. Our time was very tranquil and relaxing, just the job!"

Hedging my bets

Spent yesterday cutting the Laurel hedge in front of 'Les Balcons' as we prepare the house for guests arriving on Friday. With the uncertain weather we are currently experiencing we took advantage of a fine day to concentrate on outside work.

Wisteria lane...

Our wisteria is looking great at the moment at 'Les Balcons' under bright skies.

Bloomin' 'eck

In the garden at 'Les Balcons'

Exceeded expectations...praise indeed!

We said goodbye to our final guests of the season at 'Les Balcons' yesterday, a lovely family from Cheltenham in the UK. They had, fortunately, a fine spell of October weather with some days in the mid 20's.

Here is their comment from our guestbook:

21/10/17 to 28/10/17

So much to do in such little time! Only one week here at 'Les Balcons' (which exceeded our expectations) We managed to visit Chenonceau, Chambord, Loches, Tours and of course Chateau du Grand-Pressigny. Big thank you to Jim & Pauline for being the perfect hosts.

Emma, Steve, Malcolm, Jean & Tash

Cheltenham  UK

Praise for Le Grand-Pressigny

Our departing guests at Les Balcons were full of praise for Le Grand-Pressigny and the local People. They were returning for the third time.

Comment from the house guestbook:
17/06/17

"Wonderful house. Attention to detail great. This was my third stay here, that should say it all. Town is so relaxed and people so friendly. Thanks Jim & Pauline."

Eamonn,

Carlowe,

Ireland

Another day...another house to clean!

Just back from getting 'Les Balcons' ready for new guests arriving tommorow...

yesterday it was the 'Old Walnut Mill'

More pics of Old walnut Mill here

Christmas afternoon in Le Grand Pressigny...

We were invited over to friends just outside Le Grand Pressigny for Christmas lunch so decided to stay overnight at Les Balcons so as we could walk to our host's house in the country.

The town was very quiet as we passed along Grande Rue..

It was an excellent afternoon for a walk...so much so that we were forced to remove our coats as we strode up into the countryside.

After an excellent lunch in good company we finished off the evening by taking pics.of the full moon.

Our host took this one of me taking one of the moon.

Flower power in the Loire Valley...

Le Grand Pressigny is hosting this year's 'Comice Agricole' (agricultural show) - an event that brings together the villages of the 'canton Grand Pressigny' - Barrou, Betz -le-Château, La Celle-Guenand, Ferrière-Larçon, Le Grand Pressigny, La Guerche, Paulmy, Le Petit-Pressigny and Saint-Flovier. The ladies (and some men) of the village are currently busy making 8000 paper flowers for the garlands that will adorn the village for the spectacle.

The theme for this year's event is the 'forests of Touraine' and it will take place over the weekend of the 16th & 17th August. It culminates on the Sunday afternoon and evening with a procession of floats, majorettes and marching bands then evening entertainment during dinner and finally a fireworks display.

These pictures and video below are from the last time they held it in Le Grand Pressigny, back in 2008

                   

We took them from the 'Jullet' balcony of 'Les Balcons'