Through the oval window...

In Villandry a couple of weeks ago we spotted this Christmas window dressing still in place -perhaps they thought it too pretty to take down!

Never ceases to amaze...

Ah, Southern Touraine, she never fails to surprise us!
On Sunday afternoon we went along to listen to a concert from a group of artists comprising of  Arko Mukhaerjee (India) guitar and vocals, Anna Tanvir (Ireland) Celtic harp and vocals, Ritoban Ludo Das (India) percussion who were joined by Yann Beaujouan (France) guitar and vocals for a few numbers.. They are exposing the world to the folk music of the 'Bauls' of Bengal,India. The 'Bauls' are not only singers they are a Bengali religious sect who seek to spread their thoughts and teachings through their songs. It will never be my favourite genre of music but it was delivered with passion by very accomplished musicians.

Now, it was not the music that surprised us as we had already had a taste of it from a previous concert in a small cafe venue in Loches last week...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

...what was surprising was the wonderful little theatre. The intimate 'Petit Theatre des Balcons' is the passion of its current custodian Patrice Arnould. You can see a video here on the theatre's website which will give you a taste of what's on offer.Who would have thought that here in the small village of Ferrière-Larçon there would be this little gem of a place.

Back to the music... unlike at Loches the 'group' took us on a journey through the music of different countries. Patrice joined the other musicians on recorder for my favourite of the set 'Wild mountain Thyme' (no surprise there then).

If you get the chance you should take in an event here in the future.

Found this video of Arko and his band 'Fiddler's Green' doing, I suspect, the type of music where his heart lies.

       

Reflections of...

Our visit to Poitiers' cathedral.

Church on Sunday...Poitiers cathedral.

On  the day we visited last Sunday's church of 'Notre-Dame-la-Grande' in Poitiers we headed on down the hill to the city's cathedral, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers, an interesting mix of styles, including Romanesque and Gothic 

One of the first things you notice as you approach the main entrance is the mismatched towers. The fact that the cathedral was started in 1162 and took 200 years to complete might explain this. It is said that it was 'commissioned' by Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine on the site of an old Roman basilica.

The three heavily sculptured portals date from the second half of the 13th century.

The height and very long length of the nave give it a really airy,although empty, feel. 

You have to admire the skills of these early craftsmen. 

There are some beautiful stained glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries throughout the cathedral.

Loved their carvings in the shape of a lectern...

  

a crowd scene,or perhaps for holding something up...

 and a chair back...now where did I leave that key? 

But sadly no Joan anywhere,even though it was here in Poitiers that she was interrogated before being allowed to lead the French army into battle. Her answers convinced them that she was being driven by divine guidance and not heresy! 

As you leave it is worth having another look up!

You can see much better photogarphs of the cathedral here

Flower bed...

A friend of ours has this 'day-bed' for sale,complete with mattress for €120...any takers? 

What a show...

The climbing rose at our Barrou house 'putting on a show' 

Trick of the light 2...

Arum lilies gave us the dog. 

Trick of the light...

Caught this howling dog reflecting on our salon wall...can you guess what caused it? 

PS. Yes I know there is a man standing under a tree behind it!

What price freedom...

On our visit to Poitiers last week we felt we had to take our guests to see the city's very own 'Statue of Liberty' which sits in the fairly unremarkable Place de la Liberté. This miniature version was cast by the original designer/sculpture Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. 

Interestingly the square was where the city's Guillotines were set up during the revolution. Worth checking out for the novelty value alone. 

Footnote: Short history of Statue of Liberty can be found here.

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Church on Sunday...Notre-Dame-le-Grande

Last week we revisited Poitiers as Tourists a thing we had not done for a few years, so today we give you what is probably its finest monument…the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande .

The church dates from around the late 11^th century to early 12^th century and its façade is credited with being one of the finest in all of France.It portrays a variety of Christian stories including the life of Jesus. My close-up pics didn't do it justice but you can see more detail here 

 Inside is impressive with its dark barrel vaulted nave with its painted columns (19th century) adding to the drama.

A statue of the virgin Mary sits in the choir of the church under one of its few remaining frescoes. The statue is said to have miraculous properties and used to be carried in procession around the city every Easter.

There is an impressive sculpture depicting the 'Entombment of Christ' in the Fou chapel of the church

The narrow side aisles are rather garish but interesting.

Where's Joan?

She is here in a fine form standing beneath her own dedicated window but again my pic was poor of this...have to go back.

 The church and indeed the city was well worth another visit.

2013 calendar...June

June

Canoes near the bridge at Angle sur l'Anglin

May

Taken between Lesigny and La Roche Posay.

April

Taken up behind the nearby village of Chambon.


March

Taken in Colin & Elizabeth's garden Braye -Sous-Faye

February

Taken from the chateau in Le grand Pressigny

January

Taken just as you leave Barrou on the road to l