The Loire Valley and especially Blois
I think it’s the first time I’ve seen the 16th century tithe barn in Bracieux dressed in Christmas garb. When the tithe owed by the local farmers was paid in kind it was stored here but today it is used as a covered market once or twice a week depending on the season. The other …
Continue reading “Dressed up for Christmas – Habillée pour Noël”
What an amazing story! A noble who left an annuity to make school free for everyone in the town of Bracieux in 1629. You can read the rest o the details below. Quelle histories étonnante! Un seigneur qui a légué une rente annuelle pour permettre à tous les enfants de Bracieux d’aller à l’école gratuitement. …
Continue reading “A Free Public School since 1629 – Une école gratuite depuis 1629”
I always love this view of Château de Chambord seen from the road. We had intended to walk along the canal on the side but there were so many people that went to Bracieux instead. As the grounds of Chambord are always open to the public it’s always a favourite with locals but I didn’t …
Continue reading “Chambord at Road’s End – Chambord au bout de la route”
At the suggestion of one of my readers who has sustained several losses this year, I am choosing this photo as a symbol of hope for 2021. For other takes on the City Daily Theme Day from across the globe, click here. Sous la suggestion d’une lectrice qui a subi plusieurs pertes cette année, je …
I could say all sorts of things about 2020 but one thing we were never deprived of was natural beauty. We are lucky to live close to the Loire River and its famous châteaux that we can admire from afar even when they are closed to the public: Chaumont, Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois and Amboise are …
The weather remains disappointingly cold and rainy but this afternoon we had an unexpected window of blue sky so went for one of our Covid walks. I took this from inside my office when we got back. The health minister announced tonight that curfew will be brought forward to 6 pm in the most affected …
On Friday, we found quite a lot of these mushrooms which we had never seen before. Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel, is found near deciduous trees in summer and autumn. It was initially believed to be edible but in fact it may contain monomethylhydrazine, which can cause …
It’s not surprising that they blocked up the door. It’s doesn’t look like the safest set of stairs! Ce n’est pas étonnant qu’on a condamné la porte. Ce n’est pas un escalier très sûr …
When we go cycling in the Loire Valley, it’s often hard to find a village café open but you can always count on this one (with the exception of Christmas Day). The friendly enterprising owner is obviously a good business woman because she always does a brisk trade including cigarettes and newspapers and it’s a …
These four crosses punctuated our walk around the village of Chitenay. Four very different crosses against four different background. We spoke to our four children and partners across the world today: Boston, Costa Rica, Brest and Limoges. Ces quatre croix ont rythmé notre marche autour du village de Chitenay. Quatre croix très différentes sur quatre …