More music...

Last night Pauline and I headed over to the bar in Barrou to support the fund-raiser  for the "Note à note" Music School whose students put on a concert for us supported by some musical accompaniment by Polo. Chris and Gail had the same idea and cycled over from Le Grand-Pressigny so we were in good company for the evening.

I caught this sunset on the way back to La Guerche.

Bravo Barrou...

Yesterday's annual mountain bike trial and randonnée at Barrou proved again to be a popular and well attended event. 

The organisation was excellent and it was followed by a local artisans & producers market which added to the convivial atmosphere. It was also good to see a full restaurant for their lunch menu.

Pauline and I did the 10km walk accompanied by a couple who had come down from Genillé for the event, this made for a more interesting walk. They enjoyed the experience which we hope improved their knowledge of our part of Southern Touraine.

We always enjoy the midway stop for a wee refreshment and sustinance!

We were blessed by a fine morning for the event which we had to give ourselves a shake to attend after a good evening the night before where after a couple of events we were treated to some late hospitality by some good friends - glad we did!

Weather to walk or not...

Yesterday we decided to walk to Barrou and back and take in lunch at les Tilleuls. We were a wee bit unsure as to the weather as the forecast was predicting rain for the afternoon. We decided that it was worth the risk and as we headed over all was looking promising.

As we arrived in Barrou it was good tocsee that spring was on its way.

Had lunch then made a little detour along the Creuse to see if they had tried to do anything with the rear garden at 'Le Bourg', sadly not! We then had a little chat with old neighbours which meant that the bad weather was just a bit ahead of us.

We almost made it back to La Guerche but those little diversions probably were enough to cause us to be caught out!

Back on the terrace...

Had our first lunch at the restaurant since last October yesterday, under 'normal' (what's that?) circumstances, might have been joined by a few of these peeps!

At home day...

We spent yesterday in Barrou where Eileen treated us to a very good lunch at the restaurant ( Les Tilleuls ) - great choices and great value - 3 courses + wine €13.00 if you haven't tried it recently then you should.

Then it was back to the Old Walnut Mill to prepare the courtyard for the evening's apero guests. The evening's guests meant Eileen had an opportunity to practice her Italian as it was a night of three languages around the table,French,Italian and (a form of) English.  

Monday walk, around Barrou...

Yesterday I led our Monday group of walkers up to the high ground behind Barrou. The conditions turned out to be ideal with everyone enjoying taking in the views of the Creuse Valley.

A brief pause to take in the view of the three villages, Barrou, Lesigny  and Maire.

We ended back at the restaurant 'Les Tilleuls' in the village where a group of us enjoyed a good lunch. Big shout-out to everyone who came along. 

Some more images from our Brexit - 'not in my name ' night

Some more pics from our great evening in Barrou - showing more of the peeps who contributed to what was a fun night.

Soft landing...music & friends

We had a wonderful night in Les Tilleuls in Barrou last night, we had a celebration of solidarity with our friends and neighbours to make what could have been a very sad evening into a joyous one. 

'I don't know' provided the great musical accompaniment for the night along with Dominique and they allowed me to do a bit...I modified a number of songs we (Dominique and I as 'Old Hat') do to make them appropriate for the evening. 

Below is my 'Boris the great pretender effort' 

For our version of 'Imagine' Tim had mad a great Euro song-sheet for everyone

The night ended with a rousing 'Auld Lang Syne' - the video below just shows the encore as I was too busy linking arms to video the main event. Great evening with a great bunch of people.

Beaujolais nouveau soiree at Les Tilleuls...

Good fun last night playing as B2B at 'Les Tilleuls' in Barrou for their 'nouveau Beaujolais' evening. Thanks to Pascal, Catherine & family for hosting.

Photos courtesy of Fabrice.

Entrée to make you smile...

This is how the entrée was presented at yesterday's lunch at  'Les Tilleuls' in Barrou - made me smile - it's the type of childlike thing I'd do!

A welcome return...

As Pauline and I walked along Grande Rue under our umbrella last night to take in Angie Palmer's return to 'Les Tilleuls' I was hoping Meteo's forecast of the rain stopping at 8.00pm was going to be an accurate one.

  

The restaurant had taken the precaution of installing a barnum for the evening but Meteo got it right, so it was more of an event room than shelter from the rain. The band were excellent with the crowd, with a large contingent of Brits, showing their appreciation.

Catherine and Pascal and their staff did us proud - a very sucessful night - oh and did I mention Angie allowed me to join her on 'Knocking on heaven's door' - good fun.

image courtesy of Les Burgess

 

Angie Palmer Band rocking out to 'All along the watchtower'

Impromptu soirees and the ring of fire...

Our latest guests arrived late (8.00pm) last night at the Old Walnut Mill and had been booked in to take part in the *Fete de St Jean celebrations in the village. We spoke to Catherine in the restaurant who said it was ok for them to get there when they could. As we were still in Barrou we decided to pop along for a drink before heading home after a long day.

We had asked if there was going to be music on the night and had been told no,so were surprised and delighted to see there was indeed some entertainment. We gatecrashed a table of some of our neighbours and enjoyed a good night - I even got a chance to sing a few songs and Pauline joined other locals dancing around the fire that is lit to welcome in the summer solstice (although a week early, so as not to clash with the 'Fete de la Music' perhaps). It was the first major event for Catherine & Pascal at the restaurant and it went very well which must be satisfying for them after all their hard work.

*Fete de St Jean  on Wiki

Toasting 'Les Tilleuls'

Went to 'Les Tilleuls' last night with a few friends to toast the new makeover - everyone impressed with the result of the hard work.

'Les Tilleuls' bar/ restaurant,Barrou - new proprietors,new look!

We are happy to report 'Les Tilleuls' bar/ restaurant in Barrou has reopened after some very hard work by the new proprietors Pascal & Catherine - and what a difference they have made!