Another well advertised event!

On Sunday morning there was a gathering of horse boxes across the field in front of our house. What's going on??

I had read nothing on the Mairie notice board or on any of the 'what's on' web sites we use...  

However this is NOT an uncommon occurrence here in France. I made the assumption it must be a Randonnée à Cheval - A walk with your horse.

After several internet searches I found the following. (Link to site here)

It looks like a brilliant event for a horse owner and the weather was perfect for it.

They all returned around 16:00, packed up and went, after what was probably a very enjoyable day.

I just wonder how many people would have liked such a day but did not know about it?
Such is life in France.

Chatellerault and the Chocolate Factory!

Chatellerault hosted the Festival National du Chocolat this weekend. We went along today to see what it was all about. When we arrived and saw the number of cars already parked and the number behind us waiting for a space we began to suspect that this may be bigger and busier than we'd imagined!

4.50 Euros gave entry to another world!

There were chocolate creations of every kind, size and shape...

There were chocolate based liqueurs, wines, spreads, cakes and biscuits as well as chocolate tool kits and chocolate shirts and ties....... even a chocolate Kama-Sutra (we did get a picture but it is not blogable!)

 

There were chocolate sculptures...

and even chocolate inspired jewellery! (Jean take note!!)

All in all there was something for everyone and we came away having tasted enough chocolate to last us - well, till this evening at least!

Comice Rural; Preuilly sur Claise.

Last weekend the Comice Rural was held in Preuilly sur Claise.about 60kms from Braye. We went along with friends on the Sunday for the Défilé Folklorique: a procession of various groups in period costumes dancing and playing a variety of musical instruments. The temperature was about 35°C in the mid afternoon and how the people taking part managed in the heat wearing thick period dress was beyond belief...

The pictures show a selection of those braving the heat..

This last photograph was taken towards the end of the route and the gentleman on the right is showing signs of the heat!! It was about the only concession to the heat that we witnessed all afternoon. Incredible...

 As usual in France the show was tremendous and all for free.

Fête du bois du temple - 2ème Randomée Autos - Motos Rétro

Today we attended the Fête du bois du temple - 2ème Randomée Autos - Motos Rétro. It was held in our village in the wood adjacent to the village hall just across the field from our house.

The morning started with an extensive Vide Grenier. The stalls covered a huge area and continued throughout the day.

From lunchtime onwards the stars of the show were the old cars and motorbikes... There was a great selection of French, American and British vehicles of varying ages on display. Here are a couple of general pictures. For all you car enthusiasts, like myself, I have included a good selection of individual vehicle pictures on the Autos - Motos Rétro Page.

 

 

As always in France the event was very well attended with people coming from all around the area. The event concludes tonight with a firework display at 23:00 hours.... We will be there....

Richelieu Brocante de l'Ascension

Today we went to have a look at the Brocante de l'Ascension, with it's wide variety of stalls, held in the square at Richelieu.

A guest appearance from 'Ricky Tomlinson' ? (Royal Family fame!)

 

As you can see from the photos, it was a gloriously sunny day but unfortunately there was a strong wind which caused one or two breakages for the stall-holders.

Grande Vente Emmaus!

We'd seen the signs for a couple of weeks... and today our curiosity got the better of us.

The Emmaus charity for the homeless seems very active in Chatellerault. We've seen sales advertised before but have never been to one. Today we were glad that we did!

The venue was a most unprepossessing place

but inside was an Aladdin's cave of goodies (and not so goodies!) and the whole thing was organised to run like clock-work.

 

The notice at the entrance set out the pricing structure and each person was given a large plastic bag

The hall was full of trestle tables displaying books, clothes and bric-a-brac

At the exit of these sections each bag of goodies was weighed and the cost calculated

 A system similar to cloakroom tickets left you free to leave your purchases and browse the stalls arranged around three sides of a quadrangle outside.

Again, a weighing table calculated the price

 

The whole event lasts for three days and judging from the quantity of items people were purchasing today, it's set to be a great fund-raiser. 

And so we left feeling very pleased with our purchases and  glad we'd made the effort to explore the signs!

Richelieu comes to life!

Jean and Nick paid us a visit the other day and in the course of the conversation we talked about Brocantes and Vide Greniers, the French equivalent of our craft fairs and car boot sales. The point was made that we don't see them in the village or for that matter in Richelieu.

Then on May day Colin and I went into Richelieu and lo and behold there was a brocante and vide grenier in full flow! The town had come to life with stalls in every conceivable place.

 

............The imaginatively decorated comité des fêtes caught our eye... (!)

Yes; well..

The cafes were doing a good trade

and there were fairground rides and attractions for the children

The smallest bumper cars we've ever seen!

That will teach us to criticise the lack of such events in our local town! I only wish the day had been more widely advertised as we only came upon it by chance. Next year we'll be prepared!