'Randonnee de Printemps'- a walk around Barrou

Pauline and I joined locals and visitors alike to take part in yesterday's 'Randonnee de Printemps' through  the countryside around Barrou. Although 'Meteo' had threatened the occasional shower it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Most of the route was familiar to  us having walked them many times in the past. Up through the woods behind the village... 

over the road to Le Grand Pressigny and back into open countryside.

You had the choice of 10.13 or 16km routes, we chose the 13km as this is the normal length we would do with the Le Grand-Pressigny walking club.

Pauline setting the pace.

Our route took us for the first time into slightly unfamiliar territory for the first time but the organisers had done a good job of marking it out... 

although there was one point where walkers in front of us had missed a right turn and we (as serious getting lost peeps) had to put them right, 

We got to have a peek at this fine house which would normally be very secluded.

On the walk the light played its tricks as we walked through the woods.

The day also included some ambitious bike rides and we had the occasional flurry of bikes nipping past us. although their routes tended to be deeper into the woods.

When we arrived at the refreshment halfway point it was obvious the cyclists were quite happy to be out of the saddle, judging by how they had abandoned their bikes.

Their was a good spread on offer and you could even have a glass of rose, we stuck to water, honestly!

Refreshed, it was then back in the woods.

Through the 'cuts' 

Another change of route depending on your chosen distance

Back in familiar territory behind 'Haute Touche'...

down the 'chemin' behind 'Les Divards' where on exiting you are met by this great view of the Creuse valley.

It was good to see kids taking part

The last stretch up behind the village offers us the opportunity to do a bit of house spotting.

Last little bit is downhill which after 13km is a joy... 

even for the cyclists.

We were the first of the walkers back in the village and it was nothing to do with the rose pamplemousse on offer. It was a very good walk and the organisers deserve a big 'shout-out' for their efforts, 

Sunday stroll...

A walk in the park...Loches public gardens

When guests at our rental houses  visit Loches fro their Saturday or Wednesday market we encourage them to visit the public gardens. They are not huge but they are beautiful, plus they give fabulous photo opportunities. 

Something for the weekend...brocantes 13th & 14th May

La Roche Posay

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 13th May

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

BRIDORE  Vide-greniers Troc Jardins *

SAVIGNY EN VERON  Vide Grenier de l'ape **

TOURS  Vide-greniers Ecole Maryse Bastié **

On Sunday there are popular annual brocantes at the  race track in La Roche Posay and at Le Lac in Chatellerault.

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 14th May

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

AMBILLOU  1er Vide-greniers/brocante ***

BLERE  Vide-greniers *

CHATELLERAULT  Vide Grenier Brocante ***

CIGOGNE  Brocante Vide-greniers*

  

CIRAN  Vide-placards ?

FONDETTES  Bric à Brac Enfantin **

JOUE LES TOURS  Le Temps d'un Disque - Foire aux Disques Vinyles et CD's *

LA CHAPELLE AUX NAUX  Brocante **

LA CHAPELLE BLANCHE SAINT MARTIN  Vide-greniers*

LA ROCHE POSAY  Vide-Grenier, Brocante et Equibrocante **

MARCE SUR ESVES  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

POCE SUR CISSE  Brocante Vide-greniers***

SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS  Vide-greniers ***

SAINTE MAURE DE TOURAINE  Vide Grenier ?

TOURS  Vide Grenier 11 rue de Saussure **

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place Beaujardin *

Something for the weekend...

Wednesday normally means Loches market for our guests here in Centre-Val de Loire

Guests staying at on of our vacation rentals (gites) here in Southern Touraine normally head up to Loches market on a Wednesday which is a comfortable half hour drive from the houses. Here you can sample the unique experience of a typical (?) French market and afterwards (it is morning only) sample one of the many restaurants for a leisurely lunch before taking in the sights.

New Bridge...old skills

This is the new bridge at Vicq-sur-Gartempe showing that stonemason skills are very much alive and well. We see many examples of it in the renovation work that goes on but it is good to see a larger project. This is actually a 'dry bridge' which leads on to the main bridge over the Gartempe river,

One of the finest renovations to stonework we have seen was at the church at Faliase in Normandy.I used to to be one to say " don't think we could do this nowadays" while looking up in the beautiful churches and cathedrals we have visited ...now I know they can!

Strange Sunday...

As we waited to know our fate, well at least one aspect of it, yesterday, we tried to distract ourselves by doing 'normal' (for us) things. We were, it has to be said, also a little jaded after four consecutive, very enjoyable,dinner party evenings but managed to stir our stumps to head out in the afternoon over to the brocante at Saint-Rémy sur Creuse. It was a bit of a disappointment and a little 'deja vu' as these events can be but it got us out in the fresh air and allowed us to use the social aspect of it to good effect. 

We are pleased that the country we have adopted has chosen, as we believe, the right (or not) path. I was personally impressed by the way the Macron campaign appeared to handle any skulduggery with regards to 'fake news' and outside influences...a point learned from the Trump and Brexit campaigns. Shame the UK had not been more aware of the practices of billionaires succeeding in influencing government. 

Just Joan...

More just Joan here

A fine walk with trogs and logs...a walk around Saint-Rémy sur Creuse

On Thursday Pauline convinced me to join her for the weekly walk with the ranndonne club rather than work on 'the project' and I'm glad she did. We went across the bridge from Descartes to Buxeuil, from where we headed along the river over to Saint-Rémy sur Creuse.

We did a loop around the troglodytes at 'Ethniciti' which entails a fair bit of uphill climbing and narrow lane trecking through the woods.

This particular lane had a few fallen trees making it a little more interesting to negotiate!

The loop eventually brought us out on the high ground looking back down to civilisation.

A good walk in good company on a fine day...what more could you ask for?

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 7th May

Saint-Rémy-sur-Creuse

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 7^th May April

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

AUZOUER EN TOURAINE  Brocante Vide-greniers *

BOSSEE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

BOURGUEIL  Brocante des Halles *

BUZANCAIS  Brocante ***

CHAMPIGNY SUR VEUDE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

CHEILLE  Brocante Vide-greniers **

CORMERY  Foire aux Plants & Vide-grenier **

LOUESTAULT  Vide-greniers *

RICHELIEU  Vide-greniers *

SAINT REMY SUR CREUSE  Vide-greniers **

A touch of spring in Chatellerault...

Part of the brocante on Sunday in Chatellerault  was set up around the public 'Square Gambetta' which is somewhere we would normally only drive around as we pass through the town but it is,a s we discovered, a pleasant space for a short stroll.

Things we could have bought...

At Sunday's brocante but didn't!

Sure this guy has been part of the 'Manthelon Carnival' in the past.

This lady's price tag was on her derriere but too faded to read...but definitely  three figures...probably why it was faded!

Who wouldn't want this coffee cup holder in their home...

Yesterday's brocante at Chatellerault.

Yesterday we went over to Chatellerault to wander the streets around their brocante. On a day that predicted heavy rain (Le Grand Pressigny cancelled their event) we had a pleasant stroll round the various stalls. 

I have a feeling this couple may come to regret this purchase!