Chateau d'Oiron - another revisit...

 

Having visited most of our beautiful region's major chateau we took Eileen over to the lesser known Chateau d'Oiron on Wednesday, which for first time visitors, can be an interesting experience.

We have been here many times and are always hopeful that there will be something new and quirky for us to see and are rarely disappointed. 

We do however enjoy seeing the more familiar exhibits yet again.

Music at the Chateau...

We were invited along with some friends by Angela and Dennis to join the locals from Mairé for the annual music event courtesy of the region's 'De Cours en Jardins' programme of events. On previous occasions musicl events were held in front of the church in the village but last night's concert, as per new format,was behind Chateau de Rocreuse, a place we had only looked up at and wondered at before last night's event.

Music was provided by 'Sweet Mama' who did a set of swing/jazz. 

The owners of the chateau were very welcoming and provided refreshments after the event.

The highlight of the evening for me was definitely getting close up to the chateau! 

A visit to Descartes and a bit of role reversal...

After it cleared up yesterday afternoon Pauline drove Eileen and me into Descartes for a walk around the town and gardens. 

The recent water restrictions do not seem to have affected the garden's displays.

 

Truly uplifting...

Spent yesterday boarding the ceiling in what will be our bedroom (one day) with the help of this wonderful piece of kit which was borrowed from good friends. Don't mind admitting however that it was still not easy for two pensioners to get the board on to it, a lot of puffing and groaning required! 

Quinze août brocante...

 

Good to see the Lesigny Quinze août brocante returning - always popular.

Oh and you could pick up some garlic!

Quinze août festivities...

Enjoyed being part of the entertainment last night at Angela and Dennis' Quinze août festivities. Great night of good food and company.

Our host doing his bit!

Wine and food, it's all a question of taste...

 

So, on Thursday we did our 'wine run' visiting three of our favourite sources the 'Cave Cooperative de Blere' 'Plou et Fils' at Chargé (near Amboise) and Cave des Producteurs de Montlouis-Sur-Loire (now rebranded as 'Maison Laudacius'). Here in Centre-Val de Loire we are very much spoiled for choice for buying wine with friends each having their favourites. We have taken up recommendations which nearly always prove to be good and also occasionally go off-piste and visit random 'caves' in the hope of finding something different.   

It had been our intention to have lunch at one of favourite restaurants when on the 'wine run', ‘Le Pied dans le plat' as we have never been disappointed there and we knew it would be nice and cool inside!

We actually were sat at the table but when given the menu we decided against dining there. The starter choices were Octopus and mussels, smoked salmon and spinach or chaudin, none of which appealed plus the mains were also not to our taste,shame really as were looking forward to it. It won't put us of the place but it meant we had to find an alternative. 

We decided against stopping at nearby Chaumont-sur-Loire and instead ended up in Onzain and had lunch at 'La Charbonette' which proved to be a good choice. 

Belles fleurs...

 

While this heatwave is playing havoc with some plants our geraniums, which are ancient, seem to be coping well.

Barrou brocante back...

Good to see Barrou brocante back even if it was much reduced.

Now that looks like a good night...

...and it was!

Farcical frolics at the Chateau...

Had fun last night over at the chateau here in La Guerche where we were entertained by an excellent cast (including family members) performing  'Les Plaideurs' a comedy (apparently his only one)  by Jean Racine. The story revolves around a mad judge who just needs to be in court and gets up to all sorts of mischief trying to do so! Plus a romance and promises of marriage. Not sure where we Scots came into it as much of it went over our heads!

We even had him up in the attic

He did get his day in court in the trial of a (cute) dog who had stolen a capon!

The chateau is a fabulous backdrop for these events.

The big one is back...

 

La Celle Guenand holds what must be the areas largest brocante but for obvious reasons it has not been held for the last couple of years but on Sunday,it was back, as big as ever.

There was the usual mix of professionals plus bric-a-brac stalls.

The engineer in me loved these lamps from a chap from Bourges. 

We had gone looking for table cutlery rests and as soon as Pauline said "we are surely going to find them here", there they were on the next stall we visited! 

They had made a new parking spot on the way in from Le Grand-Pressigny which was simply another farmer's field...a very dusty one! 

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench

 

  Beautiful Brussels courtyard of friends and neighbours here in Southern Touraine.