Barrou through the mist...

Looking towards Barrou through the mist yesterday morning.

A tale of two brocanters ...

When we stopped off in Levroux on our way back from Saint Valentin on the 14th, spotted these two brocante shops in Place de la Republique - both were closed but I know which one I'd like to explore.

February sunset over the Creuse river at Barrou

The beautiful sunny days we have been having bring beautiful sunsets...took this pic. on Saturday evening in Barrou.

Alfresco in February...

Popped over to see our friend Dave just outside Chaumussay yesterday after working in the courtyard of the 'Old Walnut Mill'. We sat out on his new 'sitooterie', it used to be where his caravan, which was his and Hillary's first 'home' here in France, used to sit. Beautiful sunny afternoon finished of with aperos...lovely end to the day.

Pics. taken just as the sun was going down.

Une bonne fête à Barrou

Had a very good day yesterday in good company at the ' Fete de la Saint-Blaise' in Barrou - always a very sociable event.

 

Dominique and I did a wee turn as did David and Geoff...good fun!

Today in Preuilly-sur-Claise - Saffron Fair

Today Pauline and I are off to our annual Saint Blaise day celebration...though we won't be at the top table this year!- so will miss this event but you should head over to Preuilly-sur-Claise if you can.

Revisiting Saint-Valentin

It was way back in 2010 that we had first visited the village of  Saint Valentin on what was a cold snow covered February day - as it was such a lovely day yesterday here, in Centre-Val de Loire we packed a picnic and headed back over to renew our acquaintance. 

We had a great afternoon and even posted our Valentin uniquely stamped card from its post office.

We picnicked in the park under a beautiful blue sky.

Happy Valentine's Day from Pauline and Jim

Things are on the up...at least weather-wise

Meteo predicting 16/17 degrees for the weekend in Le Grand-Pressigny

Expo. at La Roche Posay

Loire Valley churches...

When visiting our beautiful region you have a stunning choice of beautiful churches to visit. Today on Experience Loire's post we feature the stunning interior of Notre-Dame de Rivière near Chinon but you are really spoiled for choice.

Another year another Garden Festival

Saturday, 9 February 2019

The theme for this years International Garden Festival at Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire has just been announced, this year's gardens will be designed around 'Gardens of Paradise' - looking forward to it already. The festival will run from the 25th April until the 3rd of November.

Above are some random pics from our visits over the years

Cleaning up in the dedication stakes...

Le Grand-Pressigny has sub-contracted its road sweeping and we catch site of this fellow running through the village streets keeping then in order. Now, I had noticed a lot of garden debris along the kerb on Ave Andre Theuriet, probably off a trailer on its way to the decheterie and wondered when it would be cleaned up. It wasn't long until I heard the drone of the sweeper going down one side and back up the other. I did notice however that my parked car wasn't allowing him to clean the area underneath it (obviously) so he'd had to sweep around it. As he continued down the road I nipped out and moved my car in the hope he would see it on the way back up - albeit he would then be on the wrong side of the road. Being obviously conscientious he made a point of breaking off to cross over and finish the job...much impressed. 

The year of the pig...

Had a great night with friends bringing in the Chinese New Year last night with our hostess going all out to create the perfect setting and provide delicious food to celebrate the year of the pig. Oh and we learned a lot about pigs!

Short back and sides...

Love the way these trees are pollarded, when we first saw it being done we thought "no way they'll ever come back from that" now we know better!

A February Sunday stroll in Le Grand-Pressigny

Pauline and I wrapped up well and went for a walk around Le Grand-Pressigny yesterday. We both have been struggling with heavy colds since returning from Scotland and less active than usual, so this was a good opportunity to get back to doing some exercise. 

It was a good walk and made more enjoyable as we met friends with the same idea and joined them for a walk up behind the chateau.

Fete des LACO

Very pleasant afternoon in good company at the *Fete des LACO in Le Grand-Pressigny. The photo above shows the local chorale giving us a song in Japanese...you have to love rural France! The event is held to celebrate Saint Blaise the patron saint of farmers.

*L'association laboureurs, artisans, commercants  & ouvriers.

Closed for business,,,

Snapped this charming little kiosk as we walked along Princess Street on our last night in Edinburgh, ice cream anyone on a cold, end of January evening in Scotland? A warm crepe might have been nice however! 

Last night in 'Auld Reekie'...

For our last night in Edinburgh we took one of the city's new trams, 10 minutes from Michael and Rose's, into Princess Street for a great value price of £1.60. We walked by the impressive Scott Monument, apparently the *second largest monument to a writer in the world.

Sir Walter was looking rather splendid!

View over Waverley Station towards the castle

We were heading over 'the bridges' to take in Mara performing with the 'Spontaneous Players' at the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club. They have Spontaneous Potter & Spontaneous Sherlock on alternative weeks - we had the Sherlock show which, due to the abundance of talent on display, was very funny and a great way to end our visit.

*Largest is the José Martí monument in Havana

The best of times...

It was a magical time up in Scotland with Ada and the rest of the family, the best of times! She is such a joy and although everything isn't exactly rosy in everyone's lives at the moment she is what keeps our spirits up...how could you not love her?