Walking a marked route...

Pauline and I headed for the hills behind Barrou again yesterday to 'clear off the cobwebs'. We were,in theory, following the 'Sentiers Pedesttres' one of the marked walks you can pick up locally from the tourist office for Touraine.

We have been doing this route (with variations) for the last couple of walks but we decided this time to try and do the complete walk as per the brochure,although back to front (don't ask).

Our plan didn't last long however as when we approached the cemetery there was,sadly, a funeral cortege walking the route we intended to take...so it was back to variations - up the hill to 'La Touche'. We knew we could pick up the 'official' walk again further along this road.  

This is the point on the route we have christened 'the argument' as it is the point we arrived at last time before Pauline doubted my navigation/geography skills (how could she!) such that it meant us turning around and heading back down the road to allow me to prove a point (only because she was sure she was right - she wasn't); it is actually called 'Le Chêne Charpentier'. We had by this time picked the freshly painted red and yellow route markers.

After a short distance however they wanted us to take a right turn towards Chambon which Pauline understandably wanted to take as there did not appear to be an option to go the other way, although there was no yellow cross telling us not to! I didn't fancy a longer walk so convinced her to carry on and try and pick up the 'yellow only' marked trail. As we had walked a reasonable distance without seeing a marker my sense if direction (?) took over and we made a sharp left into the woods.I recalled walking this road many years ago and ending up a few kilometres from Le Grand Pressigny on the Chaumussay road - only to have to turn around and walk back again, in the dark!

There are alleyways cut through the forests here but this one may also have taken us to Le Grand Pressigny, so another sharp left was required - although Mrs Craig wasn't happy and wanted to turn and go back the way we came.  Where was her spirit of adventure? - although I should probably have brought the map - as she reminded me ( a few times).

??

My sense of direction proved right and we eventually found our way back on to the road back down to the cemetery and on to the village.

This view of the village shows the village of Maire popping up on the other side of the river Creuse.

To absent friends..

Thought it would be a nice idea if at a certain time on Christmas day we all raise a glass to absent friends whether sadly lost or simply separated by short distances or oceans. We can all come together for a moment and reflect on friendship.

Let's make it 3.00pm GMT

image courtesy of:http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/the-tradition-of-champagne-and-weddings/

Thoughts for Christmas...

Thoughts for Christmas

No need for presents around the tree

That’s not what Christmas means to me

It’s when we should stop and think of others

Family, friends and long lost brothers.

A time for thanks for what we’ve got

And thoughts of what our parents taught

About what’s important in our lives

Friends and families, husbands and wives

I don’t need gifts to prove you care

It’s all I need to know you're there

Though distance keeps some of us apart

You'll know that you are in my heart

A gift unwrapped of kindness beats

A host of parcels around my feet

Of things I neither want nor need

When there are hungry mouths to feed.

Jim Craig

Second outing for our troupe of carollers...

We had our second outing of carolling yesterday this time in Le Grand Presigny, first at the Christmas market  then as part of  an evening concert in the church.

A walk through the fog...

The last few days has seen a fog descend on us here in Southern Touraine but it has not stopped us getting out and about, On Saturday afternoon we walked up behind Barrou and as we reached the'high ground' the fog actually cleared only to me met again on our descent.

Church for Sunday...back to Manthelan

Last night, thanks to a 'heads up' from our friend Cally, we returned to l'église Saints-Gervais-et-et-Saint-Protais-et-Volusien in Manthelan but not for religious reasons.This time we were blessed by the musical talents of 'Les Fingers Trio' three (no surprise there then) very talented musicians who treated us to some 'Gypsy Jazz' and other 'tunes'...here is a little taster.

You can visit inside the church here

Christmassy has arrived...

We have put the tree up in an effort to feel a little more Christmassy but as it holds over 25 years of memories it also brings twinges of sadness that we all won't be together, physically, on Christmas Day.

This is one of the boys primary school creations that still has pride of place.

It would be good one day to have everyone over here in France for Christmas.

A winter's walk...around Barrou yesterday

Carol singing...

First outing of the carol singers yesterday...at La Celle-Guenand 'Marche Noel'

'Progress' can take many forms...

Pauline and I working away on project,cold place in winter - this is progress, believe it or not!

Oh carol...

We are donning our Dickensian costumes again this year to give our rendition of some Christmas Carols and we have been invited to sing during the afternoon at the Christmas Market in La Celle Guenand in front of the Church on the 10 December and at at the Le Grand Pressigny Christmas Market on Wednesday December 21, followed by our contribution to a Christmas concert in the church at 6pm.

Glasgow all a glow -'Christmas' Scotland catch-up.

Over in Scotland last week for our 'Christmas' visit, I know its a little early but flights now too expensive nearer the 'day' and car not as reliable due to age (a bit like myself) - the price you pay for a life change - we are now poorer country folk - but luckier than many and rich in other ways.

Glasgow was looking good dressed up for the festivities...

with George Square the centre of attention.

This is Buchanan Street.