Did our first short walk today, 5km, organised by Comité des Fêtes Pressignois, this is aimed at people who wanted to do less than the usual randonnée club distance of around 12km. There was a good turnout for the inaugural walk around Le Grand-Pressigny.
Spring guests who have stayed with us in the past in Barrou have enjoyed the season bursting out around them in our beautiful part of France. Like at Chateau de Cheverny above...
I have said it before - my trailer has to be the best thing I bought prior to leaving the UK - not just for hauling 'stuff' but also doubles as a workbench as per at the moment for my current little project.
Joined friends old and new to help someone celebrate a special birthday in this cute little cottage yesterday very convivial! Pic. is from another visit (obviously).
First outing in 2020 for us yesterday, with the randonnée club. I it turned out to be a bright February day for it. Joel took us over to Chaumussay for a walk around familiar and pretty countryside...
and for good measure had us starting out climbing a hill!
The Loire Valley have done a good job in promoting and marking their routes for cyclists - this was from Beaulieu-les-Loches on Monday - it's as well the 'cabinet medical' is also signposted as I would need it coming from either Chenonceaux or Azay-le-Rideau.
Yesterday we had to visit Loches so to make a day of it we decided to walk over to the medieval and monastic town of Beaulieu-les-Loches which is a short walk along Rue du Dr Paul Martinais (Loches), on to Rue Brûlée in the town.
You know you have arrived (and apparently being watched) by the town's sign which boasts its credentials as a one star 'Ville Fleurie'
We had intended walking from the public gardens in Loches via the 'wetlands' but as we made our way there we were met by council workers who let us know that flippers might be the order of the day as the area was living up to its name and the path was flooded!
The town itself has no less than 13 listed buildings, an abbey church with origins dating back to the 11th century - built by our old friend the uncompromising 'FoulquesNerra' - and canal network laid out in the 16th century by the Benedictine monks from the abbey all the ingredients of a worthwhile destination and a magnet for tourists.
We had been to the town before and perhaps a Monday in February was not the best time to visit but even as the afternoon turned into fine conditions for a walk it failed to lift the apparent gloom that seems to hang over the place.
On the positive side the abbey church was open - will feature next Sunday - and the refurbished bell tower was looking resplendent.
After our visit we had to content ourselves with waiting on our return to Loches to avail ourselves with a cup of coffee as being a Monday the only cafe in the town was closed!
Below is the view towards Loches over the 'wetlands'
Nature has a way of letting us know that things will get better - some early colour in the garden of the hairdressers in Barrou on Saturday- 'Salon de Coiffure Brigitte Renaud'.
We had a good 2hr walk up behind Barrou yesterday to welcome in the new month on what was a cloudy but pleasant day. We are building up for a return to our walking club Thursday walks.
We had a wonderful night in Les Tilleuls in Barrou last night, we had a celebration of solidarity with our friends and neighbours to make what could have been a very sad evening into a joyous one.
'I don't know' provided the great musical accompaniment for the night along with Dominique and they allowed me to do a bit...I modified a number of songs we (Dominique and I as 'Old Hat') do to make them appropriate for the evening.
Below is my 'Boris the great pretender effort'
For our version of 'Imagine' Tim had mad a great Euro song-sheet for everyone
The night ended with a rousing 'Auld Lang Syne' - the video below just shows the encore as I was too busy linking arms to video the main event. Great evening with a great bunch of people.
