Bright nights

Really difficult getting to sleep. There's a mind set to it all I think. How can I possibly go to sleep when it's still so light outside at 10.30pm. Reminds me of family beach holidays, when I always had to have an afternoon nap, in a supposedly darkened room. But with the window open, a summer breeze blowing through, the sunlight filtered in through the curtain. So of course I was transfixed and wide awake. Eventually the sound of the waves lulled me off to sleep. The sea sounded gentler in memory and to my child's ear. Have to admit part of the sleeplessness is all the singing. When we've a gig on and we're rehearsing, my brain goes into over-drive.

It was the same with plays. Don't know how many plays I performed over the years, but I never learnt a script, I just absorbed it. Now with songs, the same thing is happening. Only for whatever reason, with music, my sub-conscious seems to want to go clubbing every night. So I'm lying in bed at three in the morning with all this music pounding around in my head. Last night, for the first time in weeks, I slept properly. Why - we did the final gig before the summer break on Friday, so we're not rehearsing anything at the moment.

Anyway the gig went really really well. We're now thinking of taking part in the Chinon Music Festival next year. Mr. Arts man who is involved with everything in Chinon was at the last one and suggested we should. It certainly appeals. The festival is an all day affair. Took place last Saturday. Starts at 11am and finishes around midnight. Different bands, different venues, indoors and out. So we'll see. 

Went to a domaine inauguration on Sunday afternoon. A wine producer we know has linked up with another close by in Creuzilles. He still has his own, but is now in partnership with his neighbour. We went for a walk round the village earlier in the year and called in at the other producer. Amazing space and place. Wines seemed very nice as well!! So exciting prospects from the two of them in the future.

Good times

Been busy rehearsing for the final gig before the summer break kicks in.  It's this Friday. So a rehearsal tomorrow, a run through early evening Friday and then off we go. Fingers crossed it goes as well as the others. But in any case it will be a fun night. The next one isn't until October, so we have some time to look at new material and re-visit some others.

In between singing sessions, Mike has been origamiing like mad to get ready for an all day workshop/craft fair which happened last Sunday in Place Mirabeau in Chinon. He'd made a few things for businesses round the square. Two of them as it turns out organise this event and they suggested to Mike that he might like to take part. So he did. I went along as his assistant and trainee origamist. Various neighbours arrived and other local friends and we chatted a bit to the other stall holders, some of whom we already knew, but hadn't realised they were going to be there. They do what they do, professionally, so tour around regularly and see each other on the circuit. Whereas Mike is an accomplished but nonetheless amateur origamist. This was his first foray into a crafts event at least from a display point of view. He's used to setting things up like this in the UK.  

The professionals have quite an investment to make for these type of events, which are important for selling. There are plenty of fairs in the UK as well. A proper tent/marquee for all weathers. Specific display stands inside, along with the costs of getting their work materials together. There were around 40 stalls, possibly more. Good atmosphere. Weather was kind, although the wind was so gusty which caused a few problems for the artists. And for us. We got there at 8am and had to stick everything down with blue tac. It finished around 6pm. After everyone had cleared up, there was an apèro party at the bar in the square. 

Hope everyone did well. Interestingly Mike sold a few bits and pieces. We'd gone just to take part, get involved locally in another way and meet other people. So a few euros on top was a surprise. He seemed to go down really well with the punters and there were some very happy families for whom this was their first experience of making something.  A fun day.

The question now is, why is Mike sitting there with a rhinoceros stuck on his head. First of all the night before we'd been to a BBQ party which had the zoo as its theme, and everyone was expected to wear something suitable. Next, the hat is a traditional origami pattern, which printers and carpenters used to wear and which appears in Alice in Wonderland, and seemed perfect for what Mike was doing the next day. The rhino was a new pattern for Mike to try as well.  He'd made me a white had with a black rhino on it. So we both look totally stupid which was perfect. Certainly attracted a lot of interest.

Nothing's better than a picnic 2 - Sunday

Dancing off lunch1

Sunday's picnic was in Cravant at the porte-ouverte of wine producer Philippe Pion at Domaine des Quatre Ventre. We've met him and his son a few times now at various events including the Chinon Wine Fair.  This porte-ouverte  is a four day affair from 6-9 June. A huge amount of work. But - wow are they great hosts of what! Just terrific.

This was Philippe Pion's tenth porte-ouverte and the domaine's 30th anniversary. Huge achievement. We were with neighbours Jacqueline, Norbert, Jacqueline and Alain, who have a son marrying this summer. He and his fiancé were there as well with various of their friends, along with Alain's brother and other family members. A really fun group.

Happy punter

There must have been over 300 people on what was a very hot day. It was such a good p.o. So well organised. All hands mind you!! Family and friends really doing everything possible to make sure we had a good time. We got there around 12. Tables were laid up under shades. The big barbecues were all ready to go. Little fouées were being freshly made and filled with either boudin, rillettes or fromage and then handed round to everyone outside or inside the chai having wine tastings. Met up with other near neighbours who'd arrived with some of their friends and family. Some more, who live a couple of roads away. The place was heaving and really buzzing. Great atmosphere with a really good accordeonist +backing tracks. But it's apparently always like this. We've always managed to miss the Pion p.o. by being in the UK. 2014 we finally made it. We thought of a few friends who would just have loved it.

Alain strutting his stuff

We'd put all our picnic gear on the table and then wandered into the chai ourselves. Tasted a delicious rosé and four reds.  Have no idea what time the picnic actually started. We were all busy talking, eating, tasting. But anyway, start we did. Everyone had brought a variety of salads, things for barbecueing. Plenty of water, bread, fruit, cheese. Of course it was all so relaxed. The Pion domaine provided all the wine to go with the picnics, so a constant flow. In between people were up and dancing. Line dancing is huge over here, so there was some of that, including The Madison. I've just got to learn the steps.

I think things started to wind down around 5pm. Certainly people were diving into the Chai and buying large quantities of wine. With each purchase you were given a special bottle of wine - a large one. The generosity was really amazing. Just a fantastic day. 

Bravo et un grand merci à tous au Domaine des Quatre Vents. Vraiment qqchose!!




 

Nothing's better than a picnic 1 - Saturday

We've had a brilliant weekend picnicking with neighbours. Perfect weather both days. And of course where else would we be, but surrounded by vines. The French know how to picnic. Here it's an art form. None of this sandwich business. Oh no no no. A picnic is a pseudonym for a full-blow outdoor lunch. Or in this case - two of them. The first was Saturday and the second was Sunday. We have had such fun. Two very different styles and scales of events which needless to say involved a couple of excellent wine producers, on whose domaines the picnicking was taking place. I don't know about other regions, but picnics are a big part of the season here. Until this year though we've not been to any because we were always in the UK. But this last weekend, we made up for lost time and are happily knackered as a result. 

On Saturday we were over at Azay le Rideau for a picnic at Chateau de L'Aulée.  They are stunning wine producers who we buy from regularly, and who always try to take friends to. It's a lovely place, and with an extensive range of white wines and fizzies, reds and rosés. Once everyone had arrived we were treated to a gorgeous fizzy as an apèro and then with lunch we were offered a white and a red. Big barbecues had been started up for everyone to use as and when they wanted to. But the picnic was inside a large marquee which is permanently erected. There were about sixty of us. Tables were in rows covered with gingham patterned cloths. Looked really pretty. You could sit where ever you wanted. Great atmosphere - very convivial. 

Naked fizzy corks waiting for their wrappers

Afterwards there was a tour of the site which showed each stage of the wine production process. We've done this a couple of times now, but it's always interesting. Our neighbours hadn't been to Chateau de L'Aulée before, so we were keen for them to see behind the scenes. Both are knowledgeable about the wine business and have lots of local connections. Even so they were extremely impressed. Which is why they walked out of the chai with a couple of cases. I think they went for a mixed case of three fizzies and some of the white and red we'd had with lunch. We left with a case of fizzy. So pleased they enjoyed themselves. 

We're on the bee trail

Bees are everywhere in our garden. The roses are coming out. The azaleas have been wonderful, but they don't last that long. As for the ceonothus - every  is one in full bloom. Ours are a gorgeous darker blue and the bees are going crazy. We've used the ceonothus in one part for fence cover. There are so many bees maniacally collecting pollen. It's buzz of a racket - just incredible. We love bees, so are delighted they're visiting our garden.

Our feet just haven't touched the ground. Which is why there's not been a blog for twelve days!! Since Chaumont we've been flat out. The day after we were at a Moroccan evening. We've a French/Spanish friend who loves cooking. There were about twenty of us in all eating couscous. Some other French friends had just come back from there. They are specialists in spinning, and dyeing techniques, so were visiting remoter village communities in the mountains, for whom these things are still the main industry. Great evening.

Next day fitted in a hair cut, a rehearsal for our next gig towards the end of June and in the evening we were at the cinema to see D'une vie à l'autre. The concept is based on a situation and events that actually happened. The story is set in Norway, both past and present. The story develops from events that took place in Norway during WW2 and which continued in East Berlin, as well as revelations following the removal of the Berlin Wall. Hugely impressive piece of work.Spent a lot of time afterwards discussing the implications, and also researching the activities of the Nazis in Norway and then the Stasi in Norway, and inevitably, elsewhere. Beautifully played and filmed and deeply unsettling.

We were out for the battle of the boats next - an annual all day event on Sat 24th May. Weather was very average. It's a terrific event, featuring traditional boats and crafts. Great atmosphere. Fun and games, live music, barbecues. We met up with friends and then wandered down to river together to see what's happening. Out for Sunday lunch the next day in Chinon - excellent. Les années 30. It was Mother's Day here, so very busy. Thank goodness we booked.

The following week were in full music mode. Tuesday evening we were over for a concert in the church at St.Germaine sur Vienne. We often drive through on our way to Fontevraud, and there is a traditional boat builder in the village. But this time we actually stopped. The concert was in fact a memorial to French composer Henri Dutilleux. Our cooking friend Christian had told us about it. He was there as well. We took a French speaking Latvian friend with us, who lives in Chinon. A very very interesting evening, compiled and played by a superb cellist Xavier Gagnepain. What a gorgeous sound. The programme was a mixture of Bach, Benjamin Britten, and then three composers we didn't know Lutoslawski, Berio and lastly a piece by Dutilleux. The programme was carefully put together. All were shortish with an introduction/explanation between the pieces. The final three composers are all contemporary, with a preference for the atonal. So pleased we went.  Fascinating.

The next night we were in Chinon for a concert organised as part of the 2014 season, by Musique and Patrimoine - which we've now joined. They have an eclectic programming style which suits the eclectic range of venues - anything from old churches and station foyers to multi-purpose halls. 

This time we were at St. Mexme - a deconsecrated church, well established as a performance venue. It's a great space.I've mentioned it a couple of times in early blogs. We were there this time to see the Raul Barboza Trio from Argentina. He is in his mid-70s and plays the accordeon.The other two musicians are superb guitarists in their own right, probably in their forties/fifties. Raul Barboza started playing the accordeon when he was seven. He's a renowned performer of Chamamé - folk music from North East Argentina and the south of Brazil. There were twelve pieces in all. Just magical and effortless. They played from the heart and were also so in touch with each other. If you closed your eyes you could imagine the landscape, the river, the birds and animals. A truly wonderful evening of textures, images, rhythms and superlative musicianship, which started at 9pm and we finally left there around 11.45. There was a drinks/meet the artists afterwards. We also met up with other Chinon people we know, so there was a lot of chatting. 

Thursday we had a call from our neighbours Jacqueline and Norbert to pop round for a drink and also collect some strawberries. Really kind of them - a huge container of the most beautiful strawberries. Mike had some neat. I can't eat them unless all the pips have been removed. Serious allergy. So I made some strawberry ice cream and put that in the freezer. With such an array of fresh fruit here, making ice creams and sorbets is a doddle. There's a huge range available in the supermarket, but making your own - it just tastes so good.

Yesterday, Saturday 31 May, Chinon was hosting the annual battle of the bands, otherwise known as Chinon en Fanfares. Six bands of between eight to ten young musicians per band play live all over Chinon throughout the day.Different types of music. You can follow them round town and get to hear their complete repertoire en route. Then in the evening they come together in the centre and play in direct competition with each other. Really good fun. Saturday morning is always busy in Chinon, particularly now that the tourist season has started. This time, as well as the bands playing, a motorbike club decided to coast through town by driving up the side-streets. There were about ten bikes in all. At the same time there was a 'see Chinon on horseback' group of about eight riders making its way right through the middle, all the regular shoppers in the market and visitors wandering around on foot, Chinon was really buzzing.

Left Chinon to go up to Leclerc which is on the outskirts of town. Hadn't intended to but I'd gone to the butcher and discovered they don't do minced lamb only minced beef. I was making a moussaka for some wine producer friends who are coming round for dinner next week. So at Leclerc I bought some lamb which I then minced here at home. You can't seemingly buy lamb mince anywhere.  While we were there we had something to eat at the onsite restaurant. The first time we've tried it. It's always looked good. Various menu options. We had a salad from the salad bar and a glass of wine. Really terrific quality. Beautifully done. Very busy in there as well. 

The porte-ouverte season is well underway now and today Sunday we were at that of Jean Louis-Loup, who you find en route between Cravant and Panzoult. Theirs is a three-day affair, with some other producers involved: an excellent white wine producer from Mâcon and an equally good red wine producer from the Beaujolais direction - and a traiteur with all sorts of delicious things to taste. We'd booked to have lunch there as well: entrée, plat, fromage, dessert, wine and coffee.  Euros 15. We've been to this porte-ouverte a couple of times now. Always good fun. We were there last year with friends Di and Tony, or at least Mike was. I wasn't well unfortunately so had to cry off. But this year, no problem. Met up with various people we know from Cravant, and another couple from Chambray who we've only ever seen at this porte-ouverte. We always manage be there on the same day. They were staying for lunch today as well so we shared a table with them and had a lovely time. One disaster though, at least for Jean-Louie Loup. He's broken his arm - on Friday in fact, and has got to have an operation. He always seems to be doing something to himself.  A couple of years ago he had a near miss when his car was totalled by a sanglier. He's fallen off ladders, off tables and has back problems, which is a constant hazard for wine producers. So at the moment he can't drive, lift etc. It will take most of the year to get right.

Mike suggested to him and his wife Isabelle that he should find a less dangerous profession - perhaps a fireman!! Fortunately Jean-Louis's sense of humour is intact.

This evening we're at home!!