Counting down to Christmas, day 3 of 12 let's look back on 2019 - Month 3 - March

The beginning of March had us continuing our stay in Menton where we were doing a little DIY work for a friend in exchange for staying in their beautiful apartment which just happened to overlook the location of the towns annual 'Citron festival' 

Our location was such that we could head over to the nearby Italian border for a trip into the picturesque villages of Dulceacqua & Ventimiglia.

Back in France we climbed up to the village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin with views over Monte Carlo.

We also took the great bus trip along the coast to vist beautiful Nice.

When in the south we took the opportunity to visit my brother in Provence where I helped him tend some of his vines under the watchful eye of Mont Ventoux plus did a little DIY to keep my hand in!  

Back in Southern Touraine spring was beginning to break through...

at Loches...

at Le Grand-Pressigny...

and at the Old Walnut Mill 

We also had our Irish soiree to celebrate St. Patrick's day at 'Chez L; in Le Grand Pressigny where Lisa provided an Irish themed meal and 'Celtiqua' provided the music, a very good combination!

Our company Christmas night out...and no one misbehaved!

We went up to Tours for our staff Christmas night out on Thursday, it was looking delightful all lit up for the festive season.

We wandered up to Place Plumereau where we visited an old haunt for an aperitif before seeking out a restaurant.

We had dinner at Restaurant Dagobert on Rue du Grand Marché, the restaurant is located just down from Place Plumereau and has a very local feel, the atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are friendly - and as a bonus the food was good as well!.

It was good to get all the staff in one place.

After dinner we took a tour of the lights around the city...beautiful!

12 days until Christmas, day 2 let's look back - Month 2 - February

 In February we  revisited the little village of St Valentin (36) on St Valentine's day of course!

Had a great day out to our local Fete de St Blaise in Barrou

Spent a very pleasant afternoon in good company at the *Fete des LACO in Le Grand-Pressigny.

Celebrated the year of the pig in some style.

We had our annual 'Randonnée des crêpes' in Le Grand-Pressigny where there was another good turnout on another beautiful day here in Southern Touraine.

At the end of the month we headed through Mont Blanc over to Turin.

Then on to Menton in the South of France

12 days until Christmas, let's look back on our last 12 months - Month 1 - January

Spent time in Edinburgh with Ada.Rose and Michael for her 1st birthday...great times.

Also took in one of Mara's improv. performances at the 'Monkey Barrel', great fun, great talent!

Back in France our first walk of the year was with some friends who invited us to join them for a short walk in the forest of Preuilly

Shared a Galette des rois with friends 

Black night black day...

 

Woke up at 4.30 am to a power cut and to the knowledge that the turkeys have voted for Christmas. Got up and started the wood burner for warmth and lit some candles for light - power came back on at 11.30 but the lights had gone out in many hearts...so sad, so stupid!

It is still with us!

After 3 weeks our wagtail is still with us tapping on our house windows and car mirrors - it is so annoying! We have done the covering up of windows and mirrors as per the kind suggestions we have had but still it comes. Beginning to think it may be the reincarnation of a previous guest of the house. You would like to think it had better things to do with itself!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (?)

A little project at the Old Walnut Mill for Christmas...we really do need to get a life!

We could have gotten very wet...

The Christmas carol singers had our first outing yesterday the Ferriere-Larcon Christmas market. We arrived to very Scottish drizzly rain which had been on all day but as we left to follow Mr & Mrs Santa Clause down to the market it miraculously stopped! Allowing us to sing outside in the market place before heading into a very cold church for a second performance.

Carolling today at the Ferriere-Larcon Christmas market.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Took these on way home from AGM of  Le Grand-Pressigny randonnee club last night.

Oh Carol...

Last rehearsal yesterday afternoon for 'La Petite Chorale de Noël' You can catch us at  Ferrière Larçon's 'Marche de Noel' on Sunday (8th) around 3.00/4.00pm.

Walking the dog...

Our friends Ian & Catherine stopped in for a visit on their way home from Spain back to the UK. First thing to do was to get the delightful 'Pringle' out for a walk after his long car journey.

Then it was back to the serious stuff of a warm fire and a spot of sparkling Vouvray.

Deer stop...

Spotted on our way over to La Roche Posay on Sunday...sorry about poor quality but as soon as we stopped they were off!

First day of December and we are at a Christmas market!

Pauline dragged me over to La Roche Posay yesterday to our first Christmas market of the season...sure there will be more!

Our most bizarre gig?

Dominique and I were asked at short notice to provide some music at the Bar de L'Union at Paulmy last night. It has to reopen its doors at least once a year in order to maintain its license. As we drove up on a very wet November evening it looked enchanting.

The mayor had erected a chapiteau in front of the bar as with the alterations it was now a fraction of the size it used to be. We had to set up inside the tent with heavy rain battering it from the outside with a couple of paraffin heaters to save us from hypothermia! 

I did our first set with my jacket on before braving it for the second - our small audience were well wrapped up for the occasion! Before we started the locals were kind enough to provide a meal for us which included some very welcoming hot soup! We have to thank the brave souls who ventured out on what was a horrible night to support us and the mayor. During the gig I was just thinking how friends of ours were performing not too far away over in a warm hall in Bossée - and feeling very jealous.

*Pics 2 & 3 courtesy of  our friend Fabrice.