Shout out to our local tourist offices.

We would like to thank our local tourist offices here in Southern Touraine for their invaluable contribution during 2018.

Loches

Le Grand-Pressigny

Montresor

Descartes

A token gesture...

We didn't put our tree up this year as we were away for Christmas but I did bring out some pieces as a gesture to the festive season, plus Pauline made her own creation.

Happy New Year

Have a good new year,one and all

Spend its every moment living

We only get this one small chance

One shot is all we're given.

Don't look back,no regrets 
Don't look too far ahead

Live the year as if it's your last

You cannot when you're dead!

Jim Craig

To leavers...

As 2018 comes to an end I feel I want to say to the people who voted to leave the EU that their decision based on their beliefs has caused us 2 ½  years of stress and uncertainty with perhaps us ultimately having to apply to stay in the country we have adopted as our home for the last 10 (good) years. We are aware that EU citizens in the UK are probably in a worse situation and that there will be many more people here in France who will be struggling with this situation more than us and our heart goes out to them. We are and will remain to be European.

We hope you get back the control you are seeking and you are not actually giving it to the most right-wing UK government we have lived under. We hope you get the sovereignty back that you think (?) you have lost. We hope that by giving away your (and your children’s) freedom of movement that the control of our borders that we already had is somehow manifested in a way that justifies your sacrifice. We do not wish ill of you but want you to be aware of consequences…that’s all!

The naked truth...

During the obligatory chocolate over-indulgence at Christmas I confess I contributed to the eating of some of Santa's reindeer. I use the term reindeer loosely as these examples made by the 'master chocolatiers' at Lindt were pretty unconvincing once the gold foil with painted on antlers was removed. 

Had they simply bashed the mould for their Easter bunnies about a bit to give us this fine specimen?

Below is how they were represented at Christmas - with three of them apparently having escaped!

Surrounded by talent...

Spent last night in good company at a friend's annual curry night which is always an exiting time for us and our taste buds. Here in Southern Touraine we are surrounded by so much talent in a variety of forms that are shared generously that make our life here so enjoyable...bless them all! 

Bon retour...

As soon as we arrived back in Southern Touraine last night from a lovely Christmas with Pauline's sister Eileen in Epsom, it was a quick freshening up and out to dine with friends locally to continue the Christmas celebrations. We were presented with this parting gift...how kind

Experiencing Loire...

Sure they are not trying to promote us....

https://www.experienceloire.com/

A good day with Loire Valley wines in Epsom

A very good Christmas day at Pauline's sister Eileen's, got off to a good start with a small bottle of Cremant de Loire...

We also had some Sancerre with the meal...among others!!!

Merry Christmas

Old Walnut Mill at Christmas

Old Walnut Mill Barrou

More from Tours at Christmas...

Hotel de Ville

rue Nationale

Place Jean Jaurès 

Christmas tree carousel Pl. du Général Leclerc

Le Grand-Pressigny Christmas market

Spent yesterday morning helping erect the stalls for the Christmas market in Le Grand-Pressigny then joined our Christmas choir for some performances ...glad to be part of it...good fun!

Something for the weekend...Christmas market at Le Grand-Pressigny

Will be part of the choir providing the 'Chant et Chorale' Tomorrow at the Christmas market in Le Grand-Pressigny

Annual Christmas outing...Tours

Took the staff ( me and Pauline) out for our Christmas lunch yesterday in Tours...and the weather was kind to us.

'LaRuche' 105 Rue Colbert

We had a walk around the market though these days our budget is more a case of 'window (read chalet) shopping' exercise but nice just the same. 

A winter's walk...

Pauline and I walked to and from La Guerche from Barrou on what was a lovely day on Monday. Took this as it looked Christmassy! 

Deflating experience...

So this morning I drove over to Yzeures-sur-Creuse for 9.00am for a pre-arranged rendezvous to have new tyres fitted,they were ordered last Wednesday. Arrived, however, only for the proprietor to go on a search for the said tyres, even to the extent of looking behind the building! but to no avail. Now I used to run a service based company back in Scotland and had a system in place where if materials were needed for a job for a particular date then there were checks to ensure that they would arrive in time to get the job done but should there be a potential problem we would advise the customer in good time - it is not difficult! Sadly from my experience the words 'Customer service' and 'France' do not always appear to be good bedfellows!

Ada goes (with) pop

Ada went to her first pop concert on Saturday evening with her dad to see and hear her mum with Kid Canaveral at their annual 'Christmas Baubles' gig in Edinburgh.

Image courtesy of Paul Northcott

Image courtesy of Paul Northcott

As responsible parents they made sure she had the appropriate accessories.

Would have loved to have been there!

Good night at Barrou...

Good fun last night as 'Old Hat' with Dominique in Barrou. Big thanks to Cally, David and Dave  ('I Don't Know'). Happy to have got a little bit of sing-along-a-Jim going.

A day of distraction and music.

Busy day ahead today with our Christmas choir singing at the 'Maison de retraite' and Christmas market at La Celle Guenand and then performing with Dominique as 'Old Hat' and friends 'I Don't Know' at our little soiree at the restaurant ib Barrou in the evening.