Music at the Chateau...

We were invited along with some friends by Angela and Dennis to join the locals from Mairé for the annual music event courtesy of the region's 'De Cours en Jardins' programme of events. On previous occasions musicl events were held in front of the church in the village but last night's concert, as per new format,was behind Chateau de Rocreuse, a place we had only looked up at and wondered at before last night's event.

Music was provided by 'Sweet Mama' who did a set of swing/jazz. 

The owners of the chateau were very welcoming and provided refreshments after the event.

The highlight of the evening for me was definitely getting close up to the chateau! 

From Bowie to Buggles...a night of 80's classics

Good fun last night at Maire where they offered up another great night of entertainment, 80's style. The band was  'Les Duarig’s' who gave us many of the classic 80's hits includinga disco section book-ended by 'La Freak' and ably supported by dancers who must have had a dozen costume changes over the evening!

A randonnee over the border...at Maire

 

Yesterday we crossed over the Creuse to join our friend Dennis and walkers from the Chatellerault Randonnee Club for an 8 km walk in the countryside around the village, here are some pics.from what was a very good walk with a fine group of people.

Making for the Maire...

We saw a man with a folder looking bemused as he stared at this property on Grande Rue as we passed by the other day. He had come in search of the Maire and noticed the Tricolour as he drove through and assumed this must be it! We pointed him in the right direction after sharing our amusement with him!

During the French elections (yesterday was voting day) some people choose to fly the flag!  

A little sugar on top...

Celebrating my birthday continued with dear friends providing more fizz to accompany a good night of entertainment by the delightful 'Sugar Hearts' over in nearby Maire

From the moment they paraded down Place de l'Eglise they entertained us with their own 50's take on an eclectic mix of songs that included 'Should I stay or should I go now?' 'Walk like an Egyptian' and 'Valerie' among others.

A favourite moment was when the ladies replaced the musicians at their instruments and they finished of the vocals...good fun!

Back in 'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire

Another good lunch at 'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire yesterday to welcome some friends back to France.

Alternative route...and breadcrumbs

Due to time pressures and a slight reluctance to get motivated yesterday morning we couldn't make the weekly randonnee club walk, so instead we opted for our circular route from here in La Guerche to Barrou via Maire and Lesigny (12km) and back.

Place de l'Eglise Maire

It was an ideal  afternoon for a walk with spring bursting out all around us.

Love how this house on the street has made the most of the available 'garden' space.

Looking towards Lesigny.

Beautiful Wisteria on Rue des Echelles

and Magnolia on Rue du Moulin in Lesigny.

Route de Lesigny,Barrou.

Grande Rue, Barrou

As it happens we did not complete the circuit, as after stopping into the bar for a well deserved refreshment (non alchoholic), we discovered, just as we were leaving the village that Pauline had left her breadcrumbs in the bar (never thought I'd ever say that in a sentence). She had bought them as we passed Claire's shop and they were needed for fishcakes, so reluctantly, we started back along Grande Rue only to be met by friends Angela and Denis who had been visiting mutual friends in the village - their offer of a lift was gratefully received!

Long lunch

  

A pleasure to be invited along to help a couple friends celebrate special birthdays over at 'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire yesterday. Great company and chat meant lunchtime extended until 4.00pm!

It's amazing what you can cram into a day...

On Thursday I was invited to join friends Cally, Dave and Jane for lunch at one of our favourite spots -  'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire. Cally had kindly offered to pick me up around 12.00.

Because of this I changed my work schedule so as in the morning rather than continue with my current project where I normally end rather 'hot and bothered' and a little dirty I decided to do my weekly grocery shopping (I also needed more cement) Before this however I harvested some more strawberries and some cherries to take to our current guests at 'Les Balcons'. This allowed me to check that they had settled in and answer any questions they might have. It also meant a cup of coffee and a pleasant chat with our guests who are, as it happens are frequent visitors to the Loire Valley. It also meant I had used up a little more time than I had planned...

So back to Barrou to change cars as had to take my trailer on my shopping trip (remember the cement). This entails dragging the trailer out of the drive onto Grande Rue and going  to fetch the trusty (?) Honda from the car park up the road, then I was on my way...clock ticking.




Shopping at Intermarche at  Yzeures-sur-Creuse, as usual not enough cashiers for number of customers - joined queue of four. Lady behind me had a plant plus one other item so I let her go before me, big mistake, price for plant scanned differently from marked price...took a bit of sorting out, telephoning, then back to where she bought it...but hey ho its only time! ...clock ticking.


Then to Bricomarche for the cement - straightforward enough - not. I'm sure many of you know the procedure, you go to the back of the store ,place your order,get a ticket ,pay at cash desk then go around the side to collect your goods. Unfortunately the chap before me was buying something from the current list of 'special offers' problem was they didn't have any left - he was demanding it  today as his leaflet said that the offer was still on and he wanted it. Listening to the conversation as best I could ,which was in French, I thought the assistant was handling it pretty well and trying to stay as cool as possible explaining he would love to give him the item today but there were none left - he could make an order and he would still get the 'offer' price but would have to come back.Now I've been that customer and it can be very frustrating but at the end of the day if they don't have any - they don't have any. He eventually agreed and was given the option to pay for it now at the offer price and collect it when it arrived - he was given a chit to pay at the desk. I then bought the cement but and headed for the cash desk in he certain knowledge that the 'man' would be in front of me as there was only one cashier. Sure enough there he was voicing his displeasure and making sure that although he wasn't actually getting it today he was getting the offer price. Two pone calls were necessary to sort whatever the problem was, out...clock ticking.

Eventually got round the side to collect my cement but had to wait as the guys there loaded 12 lengths of wood on to their delivery truck...did they not know I was in a hurry? - of course the didn't - but wouldn't it have been the proper procedure to see to the man standing under the warm sun who's order would only take a few minutes to satisfy rather than load up the van that certainly wasn't leaving anytime soon. I then headed back to Barrou,unloaded the shopping and picked up some blocks I needed from the house to take to the 'project' along with the cement. Only had time to abandon the trailer in the drive and head back down for second shower of the day. As it happens I made it with a few minutes to spare...oh and did I say I also hung out the washing!  

 At lunch we were also joined by Calley's charming friends from Paris, Stephane and Judith who I'm sure enjoyed the 'experience'. After dropping me off they were heading off to visit the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau.

I on the other-hand went back to my concreting for the afternoon before heading back down the road in time for aperos with David and Karen. We then did a collaborative dinner with both parties literally bringing something to the table. Lovely night sitting putting the world to right. 

Spring lamb...

Pauline and I went along to the 'Auberge du Vieux Port' in Maire today with friends to celebrate the fact that it had reopened for the season. 

As ever the food and service were good...

and at around €14.00 per head for five courses wine and coffee the usual excellent value for money.

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Lovely way to spend a beautiful spring day here in France.