Welcome to spring in La Guerche.

 Lovely blue sky today to welcome in spring here in La Guerche.

Spring in our step!

Yesterday's walk to Barrou and back let us know spring has welland truly arrived!

Not as pretty as the summer sunflowers but the colour is appreciated!

A view of  friends' house across the river. 

Spring walk in the gardens of the Musee des Beaux-arts in Tours...

On a visit to Tours on Wednesday we wandered into the gardens at the Musee des Beaux-arts to walk around the gardens. It was too early for their usual spring planting but we noticed the 'perfect' hedge was being worked on. If you ever wondered how they kept it so perfect they use wires, a ruler and a plumb-line and do a great job! 

We will come back next month to check them out again as it is usually a spectacular display.

Tours in springtime is always a pleasure.

Missing your 'maison secondaire'...

 

Hopefully turned a corner last night - did not light the fire and sat out until after dark so Pauline could appreciate her fairy lights. We are having a lovely spell of hot sunny days and as we sat in our courtyard our thoughts went out to all of you who must be missing your holiday homes so much. The images here are of Mike & Pat's blossoms on Grande Rue to at least get a small appreciation of the season. 

Spring at 'the view' in Le Grand-Pressigny

 

Is spring the best of times?

I love spring and when it's accompanied by warm weather it can be the best of seasons . Nice enough yesterday to have lunch alfresco in the courtyard where we are reminded why it's such a joy!

 

A spring scene,Barrou

More colour in the courtyard...

At the 'Old Walnut Mill'

Seeing the light...

We brought our geraniums out of hibernation on Sunday and gave them a tidy up and their first glance of sunshine for a long time. We will watch the weather in case of frost but left them out on Sunday night in anticipation of  yesterday's rain. Here in France you will most likely not see pot plants out until around the 15th of May as this is when,as their calendar dictates, there should be little or no chance of frost. We tend to be a bit more flexible and just keep our eyes on the weather. Last year at this time we had them out for our first guests of the season at the cottage and they survived 

Spring offering us hope for the future..

Spring showing up at the Old Walnut Mill.

Spring isn't so far away - judging by this display...

Snapped this garden when passing on Rue de la Butte during our walk on Sunday

Spring is just around the corner...well not too far away!

Spotted this little lone daffodil on our Thursday walk in the woods behind Barrou just letting us know!

Lots to look forward too...

Spring guests who have stayed with us in the past in Barrou have enjoyed the season bursting out around them in our beautiful part of France. Like at Chateau de Cheverny above...

in Blois

at Chateau de Montresor

at Chateau d'Usse

and at Chateau de Montpoupon.

The first hint that spring is coming at the Old Walnut Mill...

The first daffodil opens up at the Old Walnut Mill. So looking forward to spring...my favourite season.

Yellow,green and blue Barrou

Barrou

And the prize for prettiest wisteria goes to...

Our friend John-Charles' display in Barrou

Tulips in Touraine

These lovely tulip volunteers popped up in our potager at the Old  Walnut Mill - a gift from nature

Here are some better examples around us in Touraine...

This boat is moored just outside Paulmy.

These are in Montresor

This is a spring bed at Chateau de Chenonceau.

This little group I like as the can be found in the woodland behind Chateau de Villandry away from the formal gardens.

Colourful spring displays in Ligueil

The bus was late when I went to pick Pauline up from Ligueil on Tuesday on her return from Paris, so I took a wander around the town...some pretty floral displays.

Have to say however have been better in the past.

These are from way back in 2011 (how time flies)