Last Sunday's walk took us over to La Celle Saint Avant to follow (?) another of the 'Sentiers Pedestres' of Touraine Sud - 'Le Pont de Saint Jean' (10km). It was a bit of a grey day and if I was to give some colour to the walk it would be gray also.The leaflet says the walk starts at the Salle des Fetes but the is no indication that there is a walk starting anywhere,no route map or markings. There was a map in the bus shelter confirming we were in fact in La Celle Saint Avant, so that was something I suppose!
I knew from the 'map' that we should head south down the main street but it wasn't long before we had to make a choice...right towards the railway line and the 'pont'.
Le Pont de Saint Jean couldn't be called the most attractive bridge in Southern Touraine but it still warrants an information plaque.
Once you pass under the bridge you almost immediately leave La Celle Saint Avant but which way? Surprisingly there was a yellow cross on the concrete post in the photograph (it was the first and last we would see on the walk) so it was a left turn past the silos.
Not the most promising of starts.
As we walked along the road it did not get much better with the holiday accommodation looking a little tired.
There was the odd glimmer of hope although I had to clamber over a ditch and hold the camera above a wire fence to get it!
Which way now? Fortunately we met a local couple who put us on the right path but did enquire as to why we wanted to go there!
There were a few 'plans d'eau' along the way that looked as if they would be ok in the height of summer.
One of the things I love about the French is their practical approach to situations and lifestyle - highlighted along the way by potholes being filled in by the excesses (oyster shells) of the holiday season passed.
Which way now?
Not this way says Pauline...
though I convinced her it was ok.
Another distraction.
We entered into some woodland that hat a pretty scary sign which at the time we did not recognise the meaning of, which Pauline found a little unsettling.
We now know we were being warned about 'traps' which had been set in the woods.
Which way now?
Or now?
Convinced Pauline I knew what I was doing with my map reading skills (?).
Catching sight of the tower of the silos helped confirm my earlier decisions as correct.
More scenery!
As we passed under the bridge again back into civilisation things got a little better.
Oh and we did eventually catch sight of a marking.
On the face of it La Celle Saint Avant does not have a lot to offer,certainly not a picturesque walk, apart from a locked church. The red light in this photograph might be symbolic...stop! don't go.
Although someone may know something we don't!
