Bad timing

Looks like it could be the end of the road for our little C3...water pump went followed by engine seizure and timing belt meaning a potential repair bill of €2500!  Don't think it would be worth it. Will have to rely on our 17 year old Honda going forward...which is always a challenge...c'est la vie!

Something for the weekend here in Touraine...

Friday, August 21: 2.00pm Plowing competition Organized by the Association of Comice and the district of Loches; 5.00 pm, plowing contest the mayors of the township and the sub-prefect of Loches; June 30 pm, dancing folk group Kumrovec (Croatia). 

Saturday, August 22: 9 am, The Rose Garden Park, official visit of Croatian and German delegations; 10 am to 6 pm, various animal exhibits, agricultural, crafts, commercial and intensive cultural and local government associations; from 12 pm, various activities for children, water skiing demonstrations on the Creuse, several concerts and shows with Michael Lonsdale as guest of honor; exhibition of models of the companions of duty. 

Sunday, August 23: 10.00am-5.00pm similar program of exhibitions and demonstrations; 2.00pm, parade of floats with bands and brass bands; 6.00pm Creuse riverside meals by booking; 10: 30 pm, firework display.

Sunday 23 August Will take up the 4th edition of the Festival of Hunting and Nature in Castle Montpoupon Organized by the VENERIE Berry.

With 10,000 people received last year, this day must deviate in the South Touraine.

A rich and impressive programming Throughout the day.

Site opening from 9am to discover the villages of Exhibitors, artists and hunting associations.

- 11 am Mass of St. Hubert Celebrated in the courtyard of the castle to the sound of horns

- 12h30: life kennel in the courtyard of the Museum of Huntsman: share the passion of the huntsman for Their breeding dogs and Their puppies

- From 13h:

 * Many shows Throughout The afternoon with the crews of small hunting party and wide (600 dogs and about fifty horses).

 * Multiple presentations of falconry with the Giants of the Sky of the medieval city of Chauvigny (86)

 * Several amazing presentations of Peter Fleury with 6 free horses. Equestrian and acrobatic show seen on the set of an incredible talent http://pierrefleury.com/

- 18:30 gathering of all Venery crews for a drag (simulacrum of a hunt) outstanding.

During the day visit the castle and the Huntsman Museum Will aussi be included.

Prices: Adults: € 9 Children: € 4.50

You Will Find a visual pj of the day, and a video link to the 2013 edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D5BOtfqJxg

When does a small job become a big job?

Reconfiguring upstairs shower room at the 'Old Walnut Mill' here in Barrou and making new corridor to allow access from both bedrooms.

On the face of it a fairly small job but...

had to make a little repair to the floor which meant bringing out the big guns.

Acro prop in place in salon below...nice feature!

It also meant undoing work I did 7 years ago to gain access to our main soil pipe.

We are doing the work as the 'Old Walnut Mill' is coming back onto the holiday rental market next season with Pauline and I moving to our next 'project'...crazy or what!

Old Walnut Mill courtyard at night

Something for the weekend...brocantes Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd August

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 22^thAugust

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

FONDETTES -Vide-greniers***

VILLEDOMAIN-  Brocante***

Sunday 23^rdAugust

BREHEMONT-  Vide-greniers****

CHANCAY-  Vide grenier brocante ****

TOURS-  Brocante professionnelle***

Wotwebot...Lesigny brocante

Bought this mirror at the Lesigny  brocante. I know we seem to have bought a  few recently but we will have a place to hang them sometime soon.  

We didn't buy these...not even tempted!

Lesigny brocante...

 

After our visit to the craft fair on Saturday at the chateau  in Le Grand Pressigny we headed over to the brocante in Lesigny which along with friends Mike and Liz's garden party has now become an annual event for us.

 

 

There was the usual eclectic mix of 'stuff' like these handy skis.

 

Wasn't tempted by this rustic CD holder.

 

Nor this Nana Mouskouri LP.

Pauline was drawn towards this very professional stall...

but only as a browser.

 

Seen this tiger many times...

 

but Homer d'ohn't think I have seen him before. He was lucky enough to find a new home as saw him under a young boy's arm later.

 

This lady was obviously fed up waiting for a buyer.

 

 

As ever it was a very good way to spend a morning.

Arts & crafts...

 

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Started the holiday weekend off early at the 'L'Art et la Matiere' within the grounds of the chateau at Le Grand Pressigny.

 

There was a terrific display of skills and produce, in wood... 

 

 

and in metal.

There was also lots of jewellery and pottery.

 

On what was going to be a busy day for us we had come especially to visit the 'salon de thé' organised by a group of our friends. There was a great choice of cakes and teas and we had our decadent breakfast before heading of to the brocante at Lesigny.

 

I think I am Mick Jagger therefore I am...in Descartes

Kicked weekend off with friends at 'Cafe de la Paix' in Descartes being entertained by Rolling Stones tribute act 'Les FortuneTellers'...great gig as ever. 

First time we have seen the new look - very  smart

They have added  keyboards and sax  to their  sound.

The saxophone player was too good looking to show you pic..

Love the way their drum kit doubles as a washing machine.

Have a sparkling weekend...at Vouvray in the Loire Valley

Vouvray wine fair

Vouvray Wine Fair (Foire aux vins)

From 13/08/2015 to 16/08/2015

 

Discover the wines of Vouvray presented by a variety of local winemakers in the heart of the troglodyte  caves ‘de la Bonne Dame’ a great experience – try not to be the nominated driver!.
Visitors can also enjoy gourmet specialties to accompany the wines.

Free entry. Tasting glass is € 3.00 on site.   10 am -7 pm
Location: Vouvray - Caves de la Bonne Dame  : France 

Map location

Official website

http://www.vins-vouvray.com/evenements-vouvray.php

     

Something for the weekend...brocantes Saturday/Sunday 15th/16th August

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 15^thAugust

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

BLERE - Vide greniers ?

POUZAY - Vide greniers ***

RICHELIEU- Vide greniers **  

VILLELOIN COULANGE  - Vide greniers ****

LESIGNY - Vide greniers ***

  

Sunday 16^thAugust

CHINON  - Vide greniers **

More choices this weekend in Southern Touraine here in the Loire Valley.

Something else for the weekend...art to a tea

On Saturday 30 artisans/artists present their works within the walls of Château du Grand Pressigny. 

You will see examples of work in wood, metal, leather, glass, clay plus some artwork.

There will be an all day 'English Tea Room' where you will be able to sample some of Pauline's fairy cakes.

The same day sees the 15th 'Retro-Mecanique' is taking place at the 'Pré au Petit Moulin'

Official website 

Something for the weekend 'Les Fortune Tellers'

Although we have 'Sir Mick' living with us here in the Loire Valley this is as close as we're going to get to a Rolling Stones live performance...

The Fortune Tellers - Descartes - Café De La Paix - 14/08/15

8.00/9.00pm

Here is a clip from last year...

Sunday's brocante...Yzeures-sur-Creuse

 For Sunday's brocante we chose Yzeures-sur-Creuse but waited until the very overdue rain had stopped...it was fairly quiet when we arrived but as many people had the same idea as us it soon picked up.

Found this display a little alarming...

and these a little confusing, "I'd like the red one in the middle please" - good luck with that. Not sure 'furry boots' this stallholder was from.

The wood provided convenient backdrop for toilet facilities for some...plein air

Wotwebot...this large mirror for 10€