Church on Sunday...Saint Maurice Cathedral,Angers

On our recent trip up to Brittany one of the stops we made was in Angers where we took a fresh look at the  (12th/13th century) Gothic/Romanesque cathedral of Saint-Maurice. The rather imposing, though unusually narrow, building is best approached from the fountain down by the river.It's a bit of a climb but well worth it!

Love the not-uncommon differences in the towers...

and the detail on the façade.

The narrowness of the cathedral - there are no side aisles - is contradicted by the unusually wide Romanesque nave.

There is a fabulous 'Baroque' central altar...

with a colourful backdrop of stained glass in the apse. The transept was a later addition (15th century) to the cathedral with both north and south featuring a delightful rose window and ornate altar. 

The neo-Gothic styled pulpit (mid 19th century) was the result of a 3 year project by a very talented member of the clergy... 

you can't help but admire his attention to detail.

The stalls in the south transept also display some fine carvings but not nearly as elaborate as the magnificent  gallery organ which towers above the main entrance.

The rose window south transept's rose widow vied fro the outside of the cathedral.

 This charming, rather primitive statue sits under an arch on the south side of the exterior. 

The apse of the cathedral viewed from Place Sainte-Croix.

Waiting for Cally...

Took this at Wednesday nights soiree...

Remember,remember...

Friends David and Jane are keeping the 'Guy Fawkes' tradition alive and well here in France with another successful soiree on Wednesday evening. 

They had invited their French friends from the 'randonnee' club who must have thought the 14th July had come early!

Jane and Maureen dished out sparklers (and the food) with Jane showing us how to light one from another...

but also showing us its not a good idea having a handful all at once!!

Mine host provided the music along with Cally inside their barn, which is an excellent venue...

and even allowed me to sing...very good night.

Not so sweet...

Another for the 'brocante bizarre' category...this unusual nut cracker...'nuff said 

Only one careless owner...

This definitely falls into the 'brocante bizarre' category...handy if you anticipate breaking your leg, on sale at Véretz last Saturday I have Pauline to thank for the post title (and many other things as it happens!)

Wot we bot...

Here is what we we bought at Saturday's brocante...we don't really need more glasses - not everyone's taste but couldn't resist them!

Saturday's brocante...

On Saturday we headed up to Véretz with friends and neighbours John-Pierre and Caroline to a brocante in the chateau grounds. We had seen it advertised...hard to miss...

when we drove through the town on our way up to Montlouis-sur-Loire last Monday

 The river Cher with the chateau in the background.

The view from the terrace.

The chateau.

The brocante was set up along the avenue leading to the chateau with a mix of amateur and professional vendors.

There was the inevitable abandoned cuddly toy...in fact there was everything but the...

oh no, there it was!

Season's end...

Our last guests of the season left on Wednesday to return to Canada after 8 weeks at 'Les Balcons'. They were great company and left as friends...

...here is our last guestbook entry of the season:

05/09- 29/10/2014
This vacation in the Loire Valley has been the perfect seguay into retirement. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, visiting historic landmarks, towns and exploring sleepy villages. There has always been something to see and do and our memories are in our pictures.
Jim and Pauline, what can we say?? You did more than just rent the accommodation. You provided so much more than information and support, you provided friendship and hospitality. Thank you so much for the wonderful dinners and outings...we will miss you!
Until next time 'au revoir'
Vivien & Martin Brooks
Toronto, Canada

It has been another successful year of renting houses and meeting some lovely people from Australia, Britain,Canada and Ireland. It was our pleasure to introduce them to the delights of the Loire Valley.

Church on Sunday... Saint-Malo, Dinan

The church of Saint Malo in Dinan was built in 1490 on land located inside the ramparts of the town to replace a more exposed church outside the walls that had been destroyed. The choir, apse and transept were built during the 15th century in a flamboyant  Gothic style.By the end of the 16th century, the nave was still incomplete and hard to imagine, the church had a simple thatched roof.

During the French Revolution almost all the original furnishing and religious works of art were destroyed, burned or soldand the church was converted into a stable and forge. During this period the nave and the tower were destroyed by a fire.

The church eventually fell into ruin but it was re-consecrated in 1803 and reconstruction and restoration work began in 1808. and eventually completion in 1885.

The granite altar is fairly modern dating from 1955

There is a an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century stained glass windows...

you can see some great pics, here

Where's Joan...nowhere to be seen here!

The English organ was built in 1889.

Golden brown...

The light and tricks this morning on our favourite view just down from Les Balcons on Avenue Andre Theuriet in Le Grand Pressigny...

A surprise in Dinan...

While in Dinan we came across this shop...it had only just opened that particular day. We popped in to see what was on offer. The shop is well presented and offering many of the things you would expect like single malt whisky and oatcakes plus some you might not like scented candles offering you the 'scents of Scotland'. There were also some knitted hats at € 70 + which may well be there for a long time! It is a brave move to start such an enterprise and we wish them well. We have actually thought this might be a good idea in our part of France...who knows?