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!

Yesterday's randonnée...gimme shelter

It had been a few weeks since Pauline and I had walked with our randonnée club so after a lovely morning yesterday here in Southern Touraine we were looking forward to getting back out there. We headed over towards Abilly and as we set out it wasn't long before the weather took a turn for the worse. It had been forecast so there was plenty of brollies in evidence.

We were not far into the walk when we had to seek shelter from what was a heavy downpour, as luck would have it we immediately found some shelter under a large barn which saved us from a soaking.

After the worst was over we continued our walk...

you can see the result of the shower underfoot but we marched on...

with the sky still looking a little menacing!

Walking in the woods in autumn does bring its rewards. The walk took us through the woods over towards the Descartes / Barrou road and looking over towards Leugny, before re-entering them back towards Abilly. 

Every picture tells a story - by this time we were all a bit 'drookit' and some of us chickened out of continuing on the planned route and sought out the refuge of our cars - which by this time were a joy to behold!

          

This weeks randonnee club outing...La Guerche

This Thursday's Le Grand-Pressigny Randonnee club outing took us back to La  Guerche where  Pauline and I had only just completed a walk organised by the village on Sunday.

It was actually the third time  I had been in the village  that day but hey ho and away we go!

We were all pleased to see the group leader Joel back with us and leading the way up to 'La Rond du Chene'.

We stopped off at the fountain of youth hidden in the woods... 

but I fear it may be too late for me!

This is the hunting lodge at the centre of the paths through the woods. 

The high ground on the way back to the village offered great views back towards Barrou.

After a fair amount of uphill climbing it was good to get back on the flat  and catch a glimpse of our destination.

'Randonnee de Printemps'- a walk around Barrou

Pauline and I joined locals and visitors alike to take part in yesterday's 'Randonnee de Printemps' through  the countryside around Barrou. Although 'Meteo' had threatened the occasional shower it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Most of the route was familiar to  us having walked them many times in the past. Up through the woods behind the village... 

over the road to Le Grand Pressigny and back into open countryside.

You had the choice of 10.13 or 16km routes, we chose the 13km as this is the normal length we would do with the Le Grand-Pressigny walking club.

Pauline setting the pace.

Our route took us for the first time into slightly unfamiliar territory for the first time but the organisers had done a good job of marking it out... 

although there was one point where walkers in front of us had missed a right turn and we (as serious getting lost peeps) had to put them right, 

We got to have a peek at this fine house which would normally be very secluded.

On the walk the light played its tricks as we walked through the woods.

The day also included some ambitious bike rides and we had the occasional flurry of bikes nipping past us. although their routes tended to be deeper into the woods.

When we arrived at the refreshment halfway point it was obvious the cyclists were quite happy to be out of the saddle, judging by how they had abandoned their bikes.

Their was a good spread on offer and you could even have a glass of rose, we stuck to water, honestly!

Refreshed, it was then back in the woods.

Through the 'cuts' 

Another change of route depending on your chosen distance

Back in familiar territory behind 'Haute Touche'...

down the 'chemin' behind 'Les Divards' where on exiting you are met by this great view of the Creuse valley.

It was good to see kids taking part

The last stretch up behind the village offers us the opportunity to do a bit of house spotting.

Last little bit is downhill which after 13km is a joy... 

even for the cyclists.

We were the first of the walkers back in the village and it was nothing to do with the rose pamplemousse on offer. It was a very good walk and the organisers deserve a big 'shout-out' for their efforts,