Our Le Grand-Pressigny Tuesday dancing club held their first Christmas get together at Chez Grand Ma's yesterday - after a morning of dancing of course!
At the beginning of June we all got together to celebrate our friend Dave's special birthday - an excellent do!
The next week friends Gaynor &Tim organised a visit over to the vineyards of Renaud Desbourdes at 'Domaine de la Marinières' near Panzoult,15 minutes east of Chinon. The visit included a tour of the vines in English by the son of the owner followed by a generous tasting and then a picnic lunch which had been contributed by everyone.This of course was washed down by complimentary wine from estate - something we will hopefully be repeating next year.
At the restaurant in Barrou I got a chance to sing a few songs and Pauline joined other locals dancing around the fire that is lit to welcome in the summer solstice (although a week early, so as not to clash with the 'Fete de la Music' perhaps). It was the first major event for Catherine & Pascal at the restaurant and it went very well which must be satisfying for them after all their hard work.
Dominique and I kicked off the 'Fete de la Musique' weekend (as 'Old Hat') at Le Petit Pressigny then again at the event the next night in Le Grand-Pressigny
Here is a clip of me murdering Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'
and one of a walk around the beautiful gardens at Descartes at the end of the month.
May got off to a good start when we welcomed returning guests from Jackson Hole in Wyoming USA to the Old Walnut Mill.They had previously stayed in Le Bourg back in 2107 but as its for sale and they wanted to return to Barrou they chose to stay in our cottage which they remembered from their last visit. Miki the owner of 'Le Bourg', was over for her last stay at the house before her sale went through and she invited us,our guests and some French neighbours/friends to dine with her.
On Sunday the 12thLe Grand-Pressigny held their fete day 'La Nature des tous ses etats' and after all the hard work put into organising it thankfully,they had a lovely day for it.
Australian guests at the Old Walnut Mill were leaving on the last Saturday of the month so would miss the Rose Festival at Chedignyso they took our advice and had a sneak preview after visiting Loches market.
On the 26th we headed over to the 'Pré de la Forge' to view our friends Tim & Pauline's contribution to the 'Fete de la Nature'. We had a pleasant stroll through their meadow where Tim has cut pathways through the natural habitat.
May also saw us getting back into walking with with the randonnee club.
Finished the month off with Dominique and me performing as 'Old Hat' at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny...good fun!
