How not to park...

On Grande Rue, Barrou

Allowing ourselves to be tourists...at Le Blanc

As we have no visiting tourists of our own this year we are allowing ourselves some revisits to places we perhaps have not done justice to in the past. Le Blanc over in Indre (36) is one of those places as although we have visited on a few occasions in the past we have not really followed the tourist trail. So yesterday we did just that on what was a beautiful summer;s afternoon. 

We did the walk around both the high and low parts of the town on both sides of the river - a very good afternoon! Really not sure why I do not have a page on my website for the town, must fix this as it is well worth a visit...more to follow.

Currently doing a lot of reflecting...

A different kind of lockdown...it could only happen to me.

On our recent visit the the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire we also took time to visit some of the art installations within the chateau itself. As we were leaving I remembered that they also had items in the kitchens in the basement just as you exit the chateau. Pauline was a bit in front of me and I tried to get her attention to remind her but she didn't hear me so as the door was open I thought I'd run down and see if it was worth a visit - I deemed  it not worth dragging her back down to see it so headed back up the stairs to find her. Half way up I was met by the guide who was in charge of this part of the chateau bringing some other visitors down and he informed me that there was the maximum number of people allowed so as to lock the door to restrict others.

I let him know I wanted to leave as my wife was outside but he said he was sorry but he had to give / finish the tour before reopening the door. No way was he budging! So I capitulated as I thought there was not a lot to see and it wouldn't take long - how wrong was I - the first exhibit was explained in great detail as only a French guide can (sorry dear French friends) and if they were all are going to be this long I could be there a long time! So I tried to explain that my dear wife would be wondering where I was but he was having none of it. Half way through exhibit two I'd had enough and had a 'face-off' with him - it would take him all of two minutes to climb the stairs and let me out. Thankfully some of the other visitors agreed and he relented and let me escape or I may have been there still. Of course Pauline was not the least put out and was probably happy to have had some time to herself!

A walk around Étang du Louroux

Yesterday's walk was around the lake at Le Louroux somewhere we had visited a number of times but not actually taken in the marked walk around the lake itself.

We had a lovely morning for it and as we walked it was easy to see why it was popular for walkers and birdwatchers alike, with 'hides' offered at strategic points along the path.

We met another group of walkers who were doing the walk in the opposite direction.

Fun among the sunflowers...

Marguerita time ...

Joined neighbour David for a long lunch yesterday. Off to a good start with Karen's Margueritas followed by Pauline's capresse and then David's wild boar BBQ with Rodger's freshly picked beans and Karen's baked potato dish. Our morning's harvest from the garden provided dessert...

 

...minus the courgettes. 

Another casualty..

Was reminded of this on another platform - it was 11 years ago! This will be the first year since then that we do not have the Barroudeurs in Barrou. 😪

In the still of the night,,,

After our dinner guest departed last night Pauline and continued to enjoy what was left of the evening in our pretty courtyard here at the Old Walnut Mill.

Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire - A view from a window

 

Looking into the chapel viewing the mystical work of Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger - 'Stones and spring'

 

You have to stop...

On our way back from Chaumont-sur-Loire just had to stop and take my first sunflower pic of the year - shame about the lack of blue sky - next time!

Late birthday outing...

Yesterday we had the day out we had intended having on Pauline's birthday,a visit to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. The weather on her actual birthday was poor so we had postponed it until now. Yesterday wasn't the blue sky we had been hoping for either but pleasant enough to picnic by the Loire before heading up to the garden festival. 

A walk around the gardens always throws up good photo opportunities.

We also took in the art installations before another visit to the stables and chateau itself.

Oh and we managed to fit in a spot of wine-tasting at a couple of caves en-route,so all in all a good day out.

Monday walk, around Barrou...

Yesterday I led our Monday group of walkers up to the high ground behind Barrou. The conditions turned out to be ideal with everyone enjoying taking in the views of the Creuse Valley.

A brief pause to take in the view of the three villages, Barrou, Lesigny  and Maire.

We ended back at the restaurant 'Les Tilleuls' in the village where a group of us enjoyed a good lunch. Big shout-out to everyone who came along. 

Bet your salon isn't as pretty as this...

This is the hairdresser  here in Barrou.

Sound of summer...

                    

The guest experience...

The courtyard last night,here at the 'Old Walnut Mill' as we awaited our dinner guests. We then had a lovely time as a very warm day turned into a beautifully calm and cool evening. As we dined and drank some good wines it wasn't difficult to see why our clients/guests like visiting here so much! The other thing that struck us was that the 'ill wind' that is currently blowing meant we had no changeover this weekend...and relax!

As you sow...

We re-sowed our small back lawn at the Old Walnut Mill in the middle of April and happy to report it is coming along nicely. It will never be good enough for bowls or tennis but we are happy with the result.

Oh and I managed a little more recycling using the broken / discarded  slate as ground cover.