A mammoth day out...

A good day out with the sisters yesterday which started of with a very pleasant walk in good company with our Monday walking group up behind Le Grand-Pressigny.

After a refreshment at the 'Pre-Histo' we then took Eileen, who,despite being here many times, up to look at the chateau for the first time and take in the great views of the village - very remiss of us!

After lunch we headed over to the chateau and gardens at Azay-le-Ferron for a bit more walking, or in this case strolling.

Finished the day off with a BBQ in the courtyard with the sisters enjoying a favourite 'Aperol' before continuing to put the world to rights into the night.

A visit to Chinon

Went over to Chinon with Eileen yesterday,strolled through the monthly brocante (3rd Sunday of the month) and the length of the town before heading over to Cravant-les-Côteaux to join Mike and Liz for a walk.

One of our favourites

Went with Eileen over to Chinon this morning and on the way stopped off at one of our favourite churches - Notre-Dame de Rivière to let her have a look.

Sisters ducking out...

Strange times at the mo but does not stop sisters ducking out of  the current situation and enjoying a glass of red over a lunch of aromatic duck...yummy!

Has she gone too far?

Returned to our courtyard here at the Old Walnut Mill last night after catching up with friends for a bite to eat at 'Le comptoir' in Le Grand-Pressigny. It can be quite magical on a typical summer's evening - Pauline has had me adding more fairy lights but I wonder has she gone too far? 

Happy to see the rain?

We were delighted to see the rain yesterday,like I'm sure, many others, even though it meant driving through it to get up to Tours airport to pick up Pauline's sister Eileen. It even cleared up long enough for us to dine outside before restarting, forcing us back in inside to finish the evening. 

Well worth the walk...

Here are more images from Tuesday's walk  around the countryside behind the beautiful Angles-sur-l'Anglin. As you can see from the pics it is a walk with a good diversity of terrain with a mixture of open areas and woodlands which on such a humid day temperature waise was very welcome. We  rewarded ourselves with a good lunch at 'No15' in the village.

Stepping out with Edward...

Young Edward leading the way on yesterday's walk around Angles-sur-l'Anglin, organised by Chris and Sally.

Oh what I'd give for a cold damp Scottish day

This way too hot spell has me thinking about Scottish days when you have to wrap up well against the elements.

Aperos in Boussay and new turn on for Pauline...

Over to friends in Boussay last night for aperos - a very convivial evening then back home to our courtyard where we we joined by our neighbour to enjoy the rest of the very hot evening under the ambiance of its lights.

During the day, as part of a clear out, Pauline was delighted to uncover these lantern lights which we must have bought over 10 years ago and never used, so it was 'get them up there' and lets get them on! Actually I rather like them!

A church on Sunday - Eglise Saint-Martin et Sainte-Marguerite (Les Ormes)

 Today we feature the church of  Saint-Martin and Sainte-Marguerite in Les Ormes - a town that I will feature on my other blog on Tuesday. Whether your first view of this neo-Byzantine style church is from the bridge over the Vienne river or you have searched out its bell tower and arrived in the market square you will most likely find it incongruous to its surroundings.

It is far removed from the typical designs of churches of the area but resting in its position overlooking the square and bordered by the outbuildings of its chateau neighbour it somehow convinces you that it is there by right!

Elegant ?, perhaps, certainly the inside of the church reached by passing under the round bell-tower resting on an octagonal base, supported on a square tower, serving as narthex could be described thus. 

After passing under the elaborate porch you are greeted by what feels like a vast nave.This late 19th century church is of the typical 'Latin Cross' but perhaps because of its location does not respect the tradition of the orientation of the choir towards the east.  

It has some fine examples of stained glass windows...

    

and a befitting pulpit.

Where's Joan?

I was pleased to find her in her typical banner waving pose.

If you are visiting the nearby chateau it is well worth seeking the church and square out  - there are even picnic benches behind the church on the banks of the Vienne.

Sad yet still beautiful...

Many of the sunflowers around us are reaching the end of their 'best' look yet still have a certain endearing quality about them. Although its hard to beat views like the one below !

Coo coo and nest building

This pair of young fat pigeons are currently living in our pergola but its not a lot to doo with their mother's nest  building skills! 

When I first noticed the nest i was about to remove it as we didn't want the mess that goes along with it but on closer inspection I realised it was too late as there were two chicks already hatched and along with mum were living in the 'nest' above. As they have been growing they and mum were only just fitting in it and it looked rather unstable so I brought my engineering skills into play and applied a bit of reinforcement,which when we see the size they are now, is just as well.

Not sure what the future holds for them just hope the do not think this is home for them and future generations.

Opening night at 'Le Comptoir'

 

Last night saw the reopening of the former 'Chez L' bar in Le Grand-Pressigny under new management and with a new name 

'Le Comptoir'. This is a good thing for the village and means that the hard work the previous proprietor put in establishing the place as a bistro/music venue can be built on.

Last night's music accompaniment was provided by local stalwarts 'I Don't Know' and the atmosphere was very convivial. if, for us anyway, a bit too busy considering the current situation.  

A night at the chateau...

Enjoyed our evening at Chateau de La Guerche on Monday where they were performing Molière's 'Amphitryon' for the third of four nights. All a bit over our heads despite being kindly given an English synopsis and having Cally offering her assistance in explaining the 'plot'. It was for us, all about the spectacle and the setting and you can't help but be carried along by the performances of the actors.

Loved how 'night' was portrayed with her chariot.

The cast take their well deserved bows.