Ussé on the water – Ussé sur l'eau

We did not expect to see so much water in front of Château d’Ussé. During the recent floods, the Indre River overflowed its banks into the sunflower fields behind. The Loire is on the other side of the line of trees in the background. We were not able to cycle along the Loire à Vélo …

Hot Lips

This delightful flower is a Salvia Hot Lips from the sage family. It’s very prolific and an annual. We now have three in our garden and I love them. They flower from May through to October.. Behind you can see a very high Loire at Amboise. Some of the bike paths further along were under …

Wisteria – Glycines

When we left home today to cycle to Château de Chaumont (it’s been too cold up until now for much cycling), I was so enamoured of our wisteria that I decided that I would take photos of any other wisteria we passed on the cycle path. The results are below. Which is your favourite? Lorsque …

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Where I belong – Chez moi

Despite the fact that I am currently visiting Australia, which I left in 1975, the place where I belong is and will remain Closerie Falaiseau, our Renaissance home in Blois, built in 1584. The Loire Valley, with its many châteaux, untamed river and many bike paths, is home forever more. For other entries in this …

The Perfect Renaissance Staircase – L'escalier renaissance parfait

Yesterday, you saw the 15th century Louis XII wing of Blois castle which is on the right of this photo. Here is the François I wing with its beautiful Renaissance staircase built in the 16th century.The difference is striking. Hier vous avez vu l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au XV siècle qui …

Symmetrical Windows – Fenêtres symétriques

The almost perfectly symmetrical roofs and windows in this photo of Chambord taken by my friend Clare Petit who lives in Cheverny are the exact opposite of yesterday’s! Clare’s comment: “The photo was taken whilst out in one of the little motor-boats at Chambord in July 2013 on my trusty little Lumix. We were being followed by …