Autumn colours...Southern Touraine

By the river Creuse here in Barrou in October...

Never boring...in the 'park' at Chateau de Chambord

When we did our 'drive-by' of Chambord on last week's trip up to Blois we stumbled upon this fellow who crossed the road in front of us. 

I wonder how cyclists must react to such an encounter...change of 'gear' required perhaps!

The estate at Chambord reflects the extravagance of the chateau itself  covering an area of 5,440 hectares and requiring  a 20 mile long wall to enclose it!

Church on Sunday...St.Roch, Thoury, Loir-et-Cher

Today we visit the church of St.Roch in the small village of Thoury in Loir-et-Cher. Although it doesn't look it, the church, or at least the nave of the church dates from the 11th century.Any character it may have had has been lost to clinical restoration...

although you do get a bit of a clue as you lift your head as you enter the church under the bell tower.

There is a fine 19th century altarpiece which is set in a three-sided apse that appears to have lost a couple of windows.

. The choir and transepts of the two side chapels were rebuilt in the sixteenth century in the style of the time. 

One of the chapels is dedicated to St. Roch who apparently usurped St.Peter back in the 17th century to have the church renamed after him.

None of the windows are original with the oldest (above) dating from 1902.

The others,which I reserve judgement on, date from the 19th century.

There is a fine set of painted 'stations of the cross' and rather fetching chandelier in the church. 

Where's Joan? Even though we are closer to her most famous victory than usual she doesn't get a look in.

Although from a distance (if you ignore his dog) St Roch could be confused with her.

Drive-by at Chateau Chambord...

This week we were asked to go on 'a mission' to Blois (more on this later) so I decided to take in a chateau that I had only featured on my website as an external link as we had not as yet visited it. No, not Chambord, this was in fact one of the first we ever visited...I remember catching the first glimpse of it through the trees...awesome!. The chateau we were going to visit was Beauregard as we were in the vicinity and as we were driving past Chambord I took these external shots. It is currently undergoing maintenance works which must be disappointing for visitors looking to capture the 'money shot' of its extravagant facade.

This is the view that reveals less scaffolding.

Will do the post on our Beauregard visit later.

October roses...

Took these pics on Tuesday in the garden of the 'Old Walnut Mill'

Something for the weekend...brocantes Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October

Things are beginning to slow down as we near the end of the 'brocanting season' there is the monthly event in Chinon and there is a big one at Saint Cyr sur Loire. On Saturday there is one in the carpark of the BUT store on the southside of the town.

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 15th October

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

CHATELLERAULT  Vide – Grenier ***

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 15th October

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

AMBILLOU  Vide-greniers ?

CHINON  Brocante mensuelle **

CONTINVOIR  Brocante ?

FRANCUEIL  Bourse aux Vêtements, Jouets et Puériculture ?

GENILLE  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

PLEUMARTIN  Foire des Vendanges : Vide Grenier ?

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE  Bric et Broc ****

Cotton wool sky...

Captured this sky from the garden here in Barrou yesterday.

Chenonceau and Angles-sur-l'Anglin 'must see' places for these guests...

and we have to agree!

Latest comment from our guestbook at Les Balcons vacation rental in Le Grand Pressigny:
20/09 - 31/09/2016

Great house, loved the balcony truly exceptional hosts in Jim & Pauline. Lots of interesting places to visit - must sees are Chenonceau and Angles-sur-l'Anglin. Make sure you visit the local pottery shop in the village and don't miss the local patisserie.

Con & Pat O'Conner,
North Berwick, Scotland

Art for Art's sake?...

The 'L'Art & Lard' festival in Le Petit Pressigny has become one of the local events we attend every year as it is always an interesting experience. Its purpose? - to showcase local artist's works - and there are a lot of talented people around. We were blessed with a beautiful October day,so good, that we saw someone in their pool...honestly. 

We like it as it is always an opportunity to meet friends and also have a nosey at the local housing stock...it is a lovely village.

The 'art'...judge for yourself...

and the houses...