Ready to Go!
We are getting excited as our opening date of 29th April is getting nearer. We are looking forward to meeting people and making new friends. We have been in the UK since November doing some upgrading to our own house which has been sadly neglected during the creation of the new gites but are now ready to swing into action in France. We will be in Arcay from the beginning of April getting the garden tidied up and lawns cut, I planted many bulbs and shrubs last autumn so am impatient to see what has happened to them over the winter months. Hopefully we will have some colourful borders. The french people are keen gardeners and the markets have lots of plants for sale so I will not be short of ideas to fill any gaps.
As we move into spring everything is taking off at a great rate. Nature, particularly, races ahead at this time of year with spring flowers everywhere. The local town of Loudun has the most spectacular hanging baskets I’ve ever seen, how they get so many blooms in one basket is amazing.
Saumur, sitting on the banks of the Loire, is getting ready for the thousands of visitors that holiday in the area every year. The chateau that overlooks the town has been having a major renovation over recent years and is worth a visit, finished or not. A couple of years ago we visited another chateau at Azay de Rideau - not too far from Arcay - a very pleasant afternoon out. We didn’t have time to walk round the village but will make another trip as we saw numerous gift shops and eating places to explore. Nearby Chinon on the banks of the Vienne river is similarly set out to Saumur but on a smaller scale. I am looking forward to visiting the brocante held on the last Sunday of every month in Chinon. I have bought some wonderful bargains there but it is an interesting place to walk round without buying anything at all. Last year, as we were walking back to the car we came across a little square through an archway where there was a Scotsman playing the bagpipes! He was with friends taking a breather at a pavement café and was persuaded to give everyone a tune. We were mesmerised, I’m not sure what the locals made of it.