Thursday, 20 February 2020

What is normal?

You may have seen the 'Bupa' campaign running on TV which focuses on mental health and challenges.  What’s considered to be ‘normal’? Last night as Pauline and I sat in the midst of our current renovation project,small though it is, here in Barrou, she stated that 'this' is normal for us but that another kind of normal might be nice. One where you were not constantly eating dust would be good, or one that offered a settled lifestyle where you knew instinctively where things were, as they would be in their 'normal' place. One that meant we were at a point in our lives where time demands were less important and our choices were,well, our own!

It could be said that choosing me as her life partner was perhaps not her best decision if she had been seeking a 'normal' future. Life has a funny way of directing us down particular paths, some of us choose to go there and others choose not to, preferring the stability of what might be considered as 'normal'. We have chosen to take the paths, was there a plan, not really, a series of events have led us to where we are but through it all we are fortunate to have had,through the ups and downs, choices, where many less fortunate have not.

I am very much aware that Pauline may,like many others, have unfulfilled hopes and dreams that as she toils away (and she does) in the garden or finds her hands stiffening while sanding, she must reflect on but we are doing what our life demands of us and yes at our age she deserves a bit of 'normality' whatever that is. 

We also have children who,to some, might not be considered 'normal' but as lovely people they should not have to worry about fitting into a world that puts unfair demands on them as if it is their responsibility to save it or demands they conform.

All of us have our 'normal' lives to lead and we can only hope we can contribute to the lives of others in some small way to make their lives a little more like the 'normal' they perhaps are striving for...whatever that might be.

As to what brought me to thinking about 'normality', well a 'memory' came up on social media form 2016 (pic above) from when we were creating a corridor and new shower room upstairs here and here we are (below) at it again - for us,for better or worse, this is  'normal' for now!

Wednesday, 19 February 2020

The bridges of the region...well some of them.

This week on my blog for the region I am featuring some of the bridges of the Loire Valley so thought I would show some of the views from them here. On Monday we featured Chateau de Chenonceau as it qualified as a former bridge - this (above ) is a view from one of its windows.
Yesterday it was the turn of Pont General Leclerc in Amboise which affords great views of the chateau.
Today, as it was Wednesday, we featured the many bridges of Loches - above is a view from the bridge just after you leave the town through  the 'Porte des Cordeliers'  


Tuesday, 18 February 2020

It's always good to add a bit of culture...

Oor walk yesterday around Le Grand-Pressigny ended with a stroll through the chateau grounds which was a nice way to end it...David who organized the walk even provided a rainbow for our photos.

There were a few stops along the route to point out some of the local history and to afford some photo opportunities...this was taken by Alison at the 'Nymphee'

Monday, 17 February 2020

First of the short walks...

Did our first short walk today, 5km, organised by Comité des Fêtes Pressignois, this is aimed at people who wanted to do less than the usual randonnée club distance of around 12km. There was a good turnout for the inaugural walk around Le Grand-Pressigny.



Sunday, 16 February 2020

Lots to look forward too...

Spring guests who have stayed with us in the past in Barrou have enjoyed the season bursting out around them in our beautiful part of France. Like at Chateau de Cheverny above...
in Blois

Saturday, 15 February 2020

Doing it ourselves...


So how did you spend Valentine's Day? We did DIY together...not as romantic as a visit to Saint-Valentin itself but needs must.

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Gathering clouds over Barrou.


No nothing sinister - simply gathering clouds as we went for our evening walk around Barrou yesterday. 

Wednesday, 12 February 2020

Best buy...


I have said it before - my trailer has to be the best thing I bought prior to leaving the UK - not just for hauling 'stuff' but also doubles as a workbench as per at the moment for my current little project.

Monday, 10 February 2020

Helping to celebrate a special birthday


Joined friends old and new to help someone celebrate a special birthday in this cute little cottage yesterday very convivial! Pic. is from another visit (obviously).

Sunday, 9 February 2020

The theme has been set for this year's Garden Festival'

Chaumont-sur-Loire garden festival inthe Loire Valley France
From the 23 of April  to 1st of November 2020

The 29th International Garden Festival on the theme of


"Les jardins de la terre, retour à la terre mère" 

"The gardens of the earth, return to mother earth"

Photos from February...2017

Took this from the car park of Auchan in the north of Tours on way back home after a visit to Scotland in 2017.

Friday, 7 February 2020

Some more images from our Brexit - 'not in my name ' night


Some more pics from our great evening in Barrou - showing more of the peeps who contributed to what was a fun night.


Back in step...a walk around Chaumussay


First outing in 2020 for us yesterday, with the randonnée club. I it turned out to be a bright February day for it. Joel took us over to Chaumussay for a walk around familiar and pretty countryside...
and for good measure had us starting out climbing a hill!

It was almost perfect conditions for a good walk.

Thursday, 6 February 2020

The wrong day...and meeting my first marionettist.


On our visit Beaulieu-les-Loches on Monday our faces looked a bit like the puppets above when we discovered the only restaurant in town was closed.


Had we gone on another day we could have a bit of hypnotherapy or a tattoo!



Happily the young marionettist's door was open but we were not in the market - the world has enough at present!

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

On yer bike!


The Loire Valley have done a good job in promoting and marking their routes for cyclists - this was from Beaulieu-les-Loches on Monday - it's as well the 'cabinet medical' is also signposted as I would need it coming from either Chenonceaux or Azay-le-Rideau.

Tuesday, 4 February 2020

A walk around Beaulieu-les-Loches

Yesterday we had to visit Loches so to make a day of it we decided to walk over to the medieval and monastic town of  Beaulieu-les-Loches which is a short walk along Rue du Dr Paul Martinais (Loches), on to Rue Brûlée in the town.

You know you have arrived (and apparently being watched) by the town's sign which boasts its credentials as a one star 'Ville Fleurie'
We had intended walking from the public gardens in Loches via the 'wetlands' but as we made our way there we were met by council workers who let us know that flippers might be the order of the day as the area was living up to its name and the path was flooded!
The town itself has no less than 13 listed buildings, an abbey church with origins dating back to the 11th century - built by our old friend the uncompromising 'FoulquesNerra' - and canal network laid out in the 16th century by the Benedictine monks from the abbey all the ingredients of a worthwhile destination and a magnet for tourists.
We had been to the town before and perhaps a Monday in February was not the best time to visit but even as the afternoon turned into fine conditions for a walk it failed to lift the apparent gloom that seems to hang over the place.
On the positive side the abbey church was open - will feature next Sunday - and the refurbished bell tower was looking resplendent.

After our visit we had to content ourselves with waiting on our return to Loches to avail ourselves with a cup of coffee as being a Monday the only cafe in the town was closed!


Below is the view towards Loches over the 'wetlands'