Fun with friends

Montsoreau - a view of the river

We've had a particularly good week. Began with some friends arriving - Leslie and John - for the first time last Wednesday evening (31 July) just for three days, on their way back to the UK. They'd been visiting the Luberon - generally regarded as one of the outstanding regions of France - so Cravant had a bit of a challenge on its hands. However we have our own particular blend of countryside, chateaux, vines and orchards with which to charm visitors.

The one thing that can make a difference is if you are staying with people who know the local area well. We've been getting around in the last five years since we moved into our house (5 years: Monday 5 August 2008 -13) and now of course that we're based here, there's more opportunity to explore events as well as places.

It helped of course that the weather was fabulous, so dinner here Wednesday night meant we could be outside for a little bit to enjoy the view of the valley which was bathed in evening sunlight - washed down with some local fizzy and wines of course! Thursday morning we went into Chinon for breakfast in the weekly market and to pick up a few provisions. The tourist season is in full swing now, which sounds a rather obvious thing to say. But truly it's only become really busy (as we've known it in previous years) in the last few weeks. It's been much slower this year. So Les and John's introduction to Chinon market was a good one - a real buzz, with plenty of people, stall holders and quality produce. Thursday evening we were back in Chinon for dinner at L'Ardoise which was lovely. Doesn't have a website though. We'd booked a table at the top, outside on their terrasse. Ideal for a very warm evening and then afterwards we wandered up to Saint Mexme for a jazz concert - a free gig, so of course it was packed. 

Friday morning we all went over to Fontevraud in the morning - early. Just love it over there. Fascinating place which keeps on evolving. In the afternoon we took in some wine tastings at Chateau de L'Aulée over at Azay le Rideau and locally at Angelliaume. Between them we had tastings of various white fizzies and flat white wines, rosé and red wines. Had an early-ish dinner and then headed over to Seuilly for a concert of early French music in the little church - Église Saint-Pierre. We have quite a few friends over there so are used to visiting. Seuilly also has an interesting history and the former Abbaye is now an exhibition space as well as a concert venue. But this visit to the church for a concert was a first for us as well, so a new experience that the four of us could share together. Absolutely fab! Four musicians - violin, flute, viola de gambe and clavichord. They were top flight. The violinist has two instruments one made in 1710 and the other in 1756. The quality of their playing was just superb. The programme included compositions by Couperin, Marais, Corelli and Leclair. Whether that Leclair is in any way related to today's Leclerc of supermarket fame - I have absolutely no idea. But I guess it's possible.

Jacques Grosbois with shades - vigneron

Saturday was Marché Médiévale day, so we were back into Chinon for the parade which began at 10.30am. The link here is to last year's blog which gives a brief write up about all the parades in Chinon, including this one. The town this year was packed from the very beginning. Lots of friends and neighbours were there so Les and John met some of the people we know here. It was also the day they were heading off to Honfleur, so in many ways it was a lovely finale to their visit.