Tuesday, 10 October 2017

The ups and downs of walking.



For last Thursday's Le Grand-Pressigny Randonnee club outing we went for walk up behind Leugny just across the river Creuse.


We had,yet again, a fine day weather wise for it.


It was obvious from the surrounding terrain that is was going to be a day of climbs but what we didn't expect was once we cleared the woods in to a valley, we would be climbing uphill on the other side!


Some of the club members use trekking poles which on today's walk looked like a good idea! 


Along the walk we passed this little house which was for sale and as our French friends let us know it had been here since before the Revolution (there was a date above the window), obviously solidly built!.

Redwoods?


We encountered a couple of obstacles on route implying we should perhaps not be walking the route but  it was a case of  clambering under tapes without any real trouble. Not sure if it is a rambler / hunter thing but we just follow our leader.


There was a bit of mushroom foraging as we walked but not these! 



This  horse seemed surprised to have so many visitors.


This was the scene on the return end of the walk...uphill again!


Those trekking poles came into their own.



The top of this particular hill seemed to have its own micro-climate with palms doing well alongside vines.


This cabin seemed to be giving us the wink to let us know we were on the last leg of the walk, which was thankfully downhill.



At this point we had to decide if we were walkers, riders or cyclists - the walkers lost out as our leader took us to the left!



As it happened we ended up on the walking route anyway.


On the way down there was a tree apparently in need of a hug.


There was the occasional break in the trees on the decent which offered lovely views ove the Creuse valley.


Just before the end of the walk you could partake of the miraculous water of the 'Fountain of Saint Hilaire' which cures eye problems but none of the glasses wearers cast them aside after a visit.

Monday, 9 October 2017

More from L'art & Lard 2017


Loved, 'Penguins on parade'...


the moss beard...


the big blue fish...


and these ladies 😃

Sunday, 8 October 2017

L'art & Lard 2017

Lest you forget!

We had a lovely day yesterday for the annual 'L'art & Lard' festival in Le Petit-Pressigny. This year we decided to go on the first day as the weather forecast for the Sunday wasn't good plus our friends in 'Celtiqua' were providing a musical set for part of the afternoon.


What this meant however was that we missed the 'English tearoom' and the 'Commercants de bouche' which were only here on the Sunday.



The art on display was, as usual, very interesting!




Yesterday's event did include the Artisan 'village' which had a familiar feel to it with many  returning to show of their undoubted talents.










As we have said in the past one of the highlights is the way some of the artist's work is displayed in gardens,barns and caves throughout the village.






This fellow is a former mayor of La Roche Posay - as the ticket tells us.


In a great bit of recycling the baskets above are made from the pages of old magazines!


The lavoir of the village is somewhat comically set out as it may have been when it was used in the past,below isn't an art instillation, although it could be, it was just someone's washing - hope they don't mind!  


Saturday, 7 October 2017

Americans enjoying the Loire Valley


Comments from our departing guests at Les Balcons  vacation rental in Le Grand-Pressigny:
20/09/17 to 06/10/17
Enjoyed driving all the small back roads into villages. Especially liked Angle-sur-l'Anglin and Loches. Very comfortable home with outstanding CD collection and furnishings. We appreciated Jim's daily tips on recommended sites.
Thank you.
Mark Fleming, Beth Andrus, Dean Fleming

Seattle USA

Angles-sur-l'Anglin

Loches



Friday, 6 October 2017

Something else for the weekend -L'art & Lard



The 10th edition of L’art & Lard at the Petit Pressigny
Around 85 exhibitors, artists to be discovered throughout the houses of the village, artisans displaying their products behind the festive hall, stalls at the Place de l'Eglise, artists' ‘school’ behind the church. Music from ‘Celtiqua’ 3.30-5.00pm on the Saturday.

Some pics. from last year here

Thursday, 5 October 2017

Something for the weekend,brocantes Sunday 1st October


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 8th October
* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

CHAMBRAY LES TOURS  Vide Grenier du Centre Commercial des Perriers ***
  
JOUE LES TOURS  Vide-greniers ?

MAILLE  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE  Bourse aux Livres **

PERNAY  Vide-greniers **

SAINT BRANCHS  Foire aux Noix Brocante/vide grenier ***


TOURS  Vide-greniers BD Béranger ?

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Putting a face to the name...


After giving Colin the fish a mention in the last couple of posts I thought I should put a face to the name after spotting him in 'Les Halles' in Tours yesterday. 









Tuesday, 3 October 2017

Reading the menu


Just before Eileen left on Saturday Paul treated us to lunch at the ' L'ère du Temps' restaurant in nearby Lesigny. We have visited it couple of times recently and enjoyed good food and good value for money served by amiable hosts. There was only one problem on the day, where I chose fish,good old reliable 'Colin' again, they went for the lasagne option...without realising it was a spinach version!
Eileen enjoyed hers as she likes spinach and Paul made a very valiant attempt at finishing his - Paul and spinach,who would have thought! Unfortunately it was a bit too much for Pauline...next time she will pay more attention to the detail!

Monday, 2 October 2017

In search of moule frites


When we were over at Monsoreau with Eileen and Paul last week everyone (except me) fancied a lunch of moule frites. The floating restaurant would have been the ideal location but after clambering down the gang plank a charming lady informed me the only fish course that day was 'Colin' (love how they give their fish names!) Pauline said it was probably because there was an 'r' in the month!


We ended up with steak and chips plus one of my favourites 'Ile Flottante'...yummy!