Walking the talk...the viaduct at Le Blanc

On our last visit to Le Blanc back in July we said we should make a point of  returning and doing the walk over the viaduct. Yesterday we were joined by Mike and Liz (and Eileen) to do just that!

Before heading off, we had lunch on the terrace of L'Aristide restaurant in the town - a good way to set yourself up.

As the walk follows the route of the now disused railway line we started out from the old railway station. This was a station that once employed 120 people and had 40 train arrivals daily,yet today rests as a memory of former glories. 

The view as you approach the viaduct.

We didn't need to be told!

Because the viaduct sits a bit away from the town itself, the views aren't (imho) as good as I expected - but impressive none the less!

Reaching the other side you arrive in a natural tree tunnel before arriving at the option of taking the road back into town or continuing along the rail track -

Arriving in the lower town we became acutely aware that we had a fair walk uphill to get back to the cars at the railway station so Mike and I did the chivalrous thing and left the ladies to take a refreshment in the town centre as we continued our uphill march with me addinga bit of distance (just what we needed!) due to my decision to take a shortcut that wasn't

From white horse to charcoal and an afternoon in Amboise.

Spent the afternoon in Amboise yesterday after stopping in at Bléré with the intention having lunch at 'Le Cheval Blanc' but failed to check their website before venturing out - they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays! We ended up along the street at 'La Charbonnette' which proved to be a reasonable second choice.

After lunch we took a walk up to the banks of the river Cher where,during the summer months, they create a little beach.

Then it was along to the cave to pick up some rose before continuing up to Amboise.  

  

As you can see from the top pick the town was probably not as busy as it would normally be at this time of year but it still felt a little uncomfortable with all these peeps,even with everyone obeying the wear a mask rule.

The queue to get into the chateau,the reason for our visit, was a little disconcerting and could have been made easier by buying tickets online and missing the wait.

It had been a number of years since we had actually been inside the chateau and this visit confirmed my view that what makes it worthwhile is the grounds and the views from the ramparts with the inside of the chateau itself being a little underwhelming.

A mammoth day out...

A good day out with the sisters yesterday which started of with a very pleasant walk in good company with our Monday walking group up behind Le Grand-Pressigny.

After a refreshment at the 'Pre-Histo' we then took Eileen, who,despite being here many times, up to look at the chateau for the first time and take in the great views of the village - very remiss of us!

After lunch we headed over to the chateau and gardens at Azay-le-Ferron for a bit more walking, or in this case strolling.

Finished the day off with a BBQ in the courtyard with the sisters enjoying a favourite 'Aperol' before continuing to put the world to rights into the night.

A visit to Chinon

Went over to Chinon with Eileen yesterday,strolled through the monthly brocante (3rd Sunday of the month) and the length of the town before heading over to Cravant-les-Côteaux to join Mike and Liz for a walk.

One of our favourites

Went with Eileen over to Chinon this morning and on the way stopped off at one of our favourite churches - Notre-Dame de Rivière to let her have a look.

Sisters ducking out...

Strange times at the mo but does not stop sisters ducking out of  the current situation and enjoying a glass of red over a lunch of aromatic duck...yummy!

Has she gone too far?

Returned to our courtyard here at the Old Walnut Mill last night after catching up with friends for a bite to eat at 'Le comptoir' in Le Grand-Pressigny. It can be quite magical on a typical summer's evening - Pauline has had me adding more fairy lights but I wonder has she gone too far? 

Happy to see the rain?

We were delighted to see the rain yesterday,like I'm sure, many others, even though it meant driving through it to get up to Tours airport to pick up Pauline's sister Eileen. It even cleared up long enough for us to dine outside before restarting, forcing us back in inside to finish the evening. 

Well worth the walk...

Here are more images from Tuesday's walk  around the countryside behind the beautiful Angles-sur-l'Anglin. As you can see from the pics it is a walk with a good diversity of terrain with a mixture of open areas and woodlands which on such a humid day temperature waise was very welcome. We  rewarded ourselves with a good lunch at 'No15' in the village.