An evening of conviviality and craic,,,

On Sunday evening we were invited to Irish friends for dinner, they live within walking distance of La Guerche so it made for a hot walk there and a delightful walk back under yet another beautiful Touraine night sky.

Around the table there was an interesting mix of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German and French so it made for a very enjoyable evening. -

Worth the work...

Working in sweltering heat is worth it when your efforts are appreciated...latest comment from our guestbook at the Old Walnut Mill.

4th August 2018

Thanks to Pauline & Jim for settling us into this lovely, quirky holiday home, it is full of charm! We also found it very comfortable and well equipped. The pool at Descartes was great for children plus the local river 'beaches' were good. It was a good jumping off point forisiting Villandry (beautiful gardens), Chenonceau (beautiful architecture and lovely interior) and  Azay-le-Rideau. The local prehistory museum at Le Grand-Pressigny was well worth a visit - very extensive and well thought  out  for children. Thank you for a lovely stay

Mel, Mike & Lily
Gloucestershire / Scotland / Australia

Scorcher !

Preparing the Old Walnut Mill for new guests yesterday in mid 30's temperatures, so hot that as I was hanging out the washing I was bringing it back in again!

Still time to visit...Festival de Bouche et d'Orielle

The village is beautiful even without the event!

End the weekend with a bang!

This Sunday evening the ruins of the castle at the beautiful Angles-sur-l'Anglin and the river valley are lit up by a spectacular fireworks display - if you haven't yet experienced it, then you should!

Details on village website here.

Brocantes this weekend - look no further than Barrou

Barrou

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 4^th August

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

Descartes  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

Preuilly-sur-Claise  Brocante ?

Saint-Laurent-de-Lin (Langeais)  Brocante ***

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 5th August

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

Barrou  Brocante ?

Bourgueil  Brocante Vide-greniers ****

Montbazon  Vide-greniers ?

Noizay  Vide-greniers ***

Saint-Avertin  Vide-greniers ***

Anyone for cricket?

Captured on the rail of the terrace at 'Les Balcons'

So good they went there twice....La Promenade in Le Petit-Pressigny

Our last guests at the 'Old Walnut Mill' dined at 'Maison Dallais / La Promenade' in Petit-Pressigny to celebrate a birthday but they enjoyed it so much they went back on the last night of their stay, which is surely a great recommendation!

Self raising flowers...

Welcomed new guests to the Old Walnut Mill,Saturday and returning guests to Les Balcons on Sunday. Love the fact that we can provide fresh cut flowers from the gardens.

Bringing people together...

Said goodbye to guests yesterday at the Old Walnut Mill, lovely Scottish couple now living in Bath who, after meeting up to watch the World Cup final with Pauline and I and our guests at Les Balcons, formed a new friendship with them. They shared a couple of lunches at their respective 'homes' and went on a joint outing to Chenonceau.

Although changeovers are difficult in +30 degree temperatures good departing guests make our lives a little easier especially green-fingered ones!

In the cool of the evening...

Had other options but last night chose to cut the hedge at 'Les Balcons' as the last guests, charming Irish couple, left yesterday and it gave me the chance before this weekend's guests arrive - although still warm some cloud cover meant it was not too overbearing.

Something else for the weekend - 'Loches en voix'

Two days of free live music throughout the town.

Programme

Brocantes this weekend...it's the big one!

If you have the stamina and can survive the heat then Sunday is the huge brocante at La Celle-Guenand.

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 29th July

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

Brayesous-Faye  Vide-greniers **

La Celle-Guenabd  Brocante *****

Le Liege  Vide-greniers ?

Can you guess?

On a recent outing up to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire we stopped of at the church of Saint-Sulpice in Vallières-les-Grandes where we could not help but notice the adjoining property...

can you guess what he does for a living?

Lovely neighbours...

This morning's sun on the chateau here in La Guerche...not the worst view in the world!

Perfect,,,

Slipped over the border into La Vienne last night for a get-together with friends - lovely summer's evening with excellent company and perfect hosts.

Wired for sound!

A group of us took in 'Mellow Sound' at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny last night couldn't help but notice how 'wired' the lead guitarist was...did he really need that lot? Hope he doesn't have to fly to any gigs as there is no way that's getting through security!

Something else for the weekend 21st/22nd

Music tonight at 'Chez L'

Website

Something for the weekend brocantes 21st/22nd July

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 21^st July

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

Montlouis-sur-Loire  Brocante ***

By the river, continues into the evening

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 22^nd July

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

Chinon  Vide-greniers ?

La Chapelle-sur-Loire  Vide-greniers ***

Rouziers-de-Touraine  Brocante Vide-greniers *****

Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil  Brocante Vide-greniers **

Music - bringing people together.

It was a pleasure to be invited along to a small musical soiree with talented musicians last night in the country and contribute, along with Dominique, to the evening.