Sometimes you don't see the done for the doing...

We are working at the rear garden at 'Le Bourg' just now and its beginning to actually look like a garden! As I was cutting the grass on the lower level my thoughts went back to where our starting point was and to the realisation that we have done quite a bit...but have been too busy doing it to notice! Looking back at old pics tells the story best...more to follow.

Which way now?...and my love of French signage.

Left or right for trucks...cars are spoilt for choice! 

Something for the weekend...

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Amboise – Vide-greniers -  less than 50 stalls

Cinq Mars la Pile – Vide-greniers - !00 to 200

La Riche – Vide-greniers - Over 300 stalls

Neuville sur Brenne  – Vide-greniers - 50 to 100 stalls

SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2015

Amboise – Brocante /  marché gourmand - less than 50 stalls

La Chapelle Aux Naux – Brocante - 50 to 100 stalls

Montbazon – Brocante / vide-greniers – 200 to 300 stalls

Savigné sur Lathan – Brocante - 50 to 100 stalls

Savonniers - Brocante / vide-greniers - 50 to 100 stalls

Behind the walls...

image capture:Jul 2013 © 2015 Google

One of the few good things about my rather dreich visit to La Roche Posay on Friday was finding the rear entrance to Le jardin des Lys open and being the nosey person I am I took the few steps up into what is the gardens of this establishment (chambre d'hotes and apartments)...

...and what a pleasant surprise.

You would never know from the front of the building that these gardens were available to you, it must be lovely in summertime.

As I was taking these shots the lady of the house invited me to take a closer look...

 ...this is the view from their rear terrace.

 I was delighted when she invited me in to have a look around...

...very nice.

They provide apartments and chambre d'hotes and its restaurant offers meals but its reviews on 'Tripadvisor' (if they are to be believed) do not make you want to go there...despite its appearance.

The first rose...

The first rose opened up on our wall rose here in Barrou last Thursday...all we need now is for the sun to come back for more to appear.

Loire Valley Church on Sunday...St. Martin's in Bournan

The church of St.Martin in Bournan here in Southern Touraine has its origins way back in the 10th century. In the 12th century the simple building had a bell tower,transept and two side chapels added.

As you enter the church there is a small 'plaque' that has a footprint on it - not sure if this is a reference to the 'way of St. Martin' but it is not one of the places listed.

The main altar.

The side chapels.

The nave with barrel ceiling has a rather mysterious 'Darth Vader like' figure watching over it

Not sure who he / she is.

Example of the church's stations of the cross

Widow dedicated to Saint Martin.

There is a rather simplistic statue of the virgin and child but where's Joan?

She has her place within the nave.

Not so 'belle'...

This was the scene in front of the church

La Roche Posay's homage to the "Belle Époque" yesterday turned out to be a bit of a damp squib as the rain continued here for its second day...shame really.I had gone as friends had said they were going to have a stall but obviously thought better of it after their soaking at Le Grand Pressigny last week.

It was a little busier in the main square which looked as it would on any market day...with no real reference to another era other thn a row of classic cars.

I did find a reference in the lower part of the dunjon which I'd never seen open before...

...a costume display.

Something for the weekend...

Friday 1^st May

La Roche Posay

May 1 from 8:00
Great animation day of the Belle Epoque to the Roaring Twenties with craft market, discover the antique crafts, street entertainment, and lively village wedding banquet with an orchestra. A beautiful day in perspective. Throughout the city. (from the town's website)

Brocantes / Vide-greniers

Ballan Mire – Plant fair - 50 to 100 stalls

Bertheenay – vide-greniers- 50 to 100 stalls

Cangey – Brocante - 200 to 300 stalls

Ferriere sur Beaulieu - vide-greniers

Saint Benoit la Foret – vide-greniers

Saint Pierre des Corps – vide-greniers

Tours, Rue de Bordeaux 8.30am – 7.00pm – Brocante

Sunday 3^rd May

Auzouer en Touraine – vide-greniers

Bossee – Brocante

Cheille – vide-greniers

Cormery - Foire aux plants & vide-grenier

Joue les Tours – Brocante / vide-grenier

Monts – vide-greniers

Parcay Meslay – Brocante / vide-greniers

Richelieu – vide-greniers

Rille -  Brocante / plants

Tours, Place Blanqui – vide-greniers

Someone's watching ewe...

There is a mound of earth in the builder's yard that sits behind Grande Rue here in Barrou that can be seen through the gap of our near neighbours houses. Pauline had said she was sure she had seen a sheep atop of said mound as she passed one day, i thought it must be the wine, until...there it was as we passed on another occasion! 

We can only presume he has it there to keep the grass down although not sure why it wants to climb the grassless mound - maybe for the view or it might just be a Barrou animal thing...

Mega deer...

Since February there has been a new resident in the courtyard of the Prehistory Museum at the Chateau in Le Grand Pressigny...

A life-size Megaceros (Irish elk) has been installed to add more interest to the outside space and connect it to the collections inside. The species apparently became extinct around 10.000BC

Church on Sunday...Saint Martin,Chanceaux sur Choisille

When we visited the brocante at Chanceaux sur Choisille, north of Tours, last Sunday I wanted to look in the church but sadly it was locked. I know it contains a gilded 17th century altar piece so maybe with so many visitors to the town it was for security reasons!