Poppies go out with a bang...

Earlier this year I indulged myself under the thin disguise of posting some photos of poppies for Norma.

This time I've no excuse whatsoever! This is pure and simple, unadulterated indulgence on my part.

The last of the poppies - seen from beneath, looking up....

That's all folks!! (Till next year, at least!)

Les Halles - Richelieu

Ever since I first came to Richelieu many years ago the vaulted market hall has always been and still remains one of the best timber structures I have seen. Built in the 1600's it is still used today every Monday and Friday for traditional markets and also for other specialist markets throughout the year.

 

 

The Abbé Henri Proust in his blog Eminence Rouge has noted that work on restoration of the roof of Les Halles is to start soon. It will be an interesting set of works to follow. His blog also contains details of other works currently being undertaken in Richelieu.

During the Christmas market last year Les Halles was decorated and full of christmas stalls. It had a great atmosphere for the occasion.

It truly is a magnificent structure and a credit to the tradesmen who built it all those years ago. I wonder if the architects/structural engineers of the day worked out all the beam loadings? It would be an interesting document to read....

Biting off more than it could chew..

We watched a couple of tiny lizards in the garden yesterday. Eventually one of them spotted a spider: a spider about as big as the lizards head.

The chase was on.... and the spider fell victim to the lizard.

A quick flick of the head and licking of the lips and the job was done - or so we thought...

When the lizard turned we realised it had spat out most of the spiders body ...

This little creature had bitten off more than he could chew. When a second spider ran across his path he couldn't even be bothered to give it a second chance.

Could it be that you can have too much of a good thing??

Battered Butterflies!

And before the comments start coming in, this is not a recipe but a description of the specimens I've photographed recently.

 

 

 

 

These poor creatures have obviously seen better days. I'm surprised they get off the ground... but then again, I sometimes think the same could be said about me!!

Colin, don't comment!

Woodland flora

Having endured a life long battle to grow cyclamen successfully in the UK it is an absolute joy to see them growing wild in the woods over here in France.

On a recent walk around the village and back through the Bois du Temple, we discovered these beauties providing ground cover in the shade of the trees.

I'd love to replicate it in the garden but calculating the number of tubers we would need is beyond me - and, I fear, beyond the stretch of the purse strings!

I'll just have to content myself with the pleasure of seeing them in the natural setting, under the tree canopy, where, after all, they look their best.

Skies over and around Braye

Elizabeth takes photographs of the sky at every opportunity and looking through our pictures I noticed we had quite a few worth sharing with you. All were taken "In and around Braye" over the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy them. (Click the photo to enlarge)

The first photograph was taken in the middle of the night and shows distant lightning.

Pont de Chinon - Update

We first wrote about major works on the Pont de Chinon here at the beginning of July. At that stage they were just constructing the temporary access road for the work on the foundations. That is all now completed and the task to renew the foundations are well underway. (as usual click on the pictures to enlarge)

 

I wonder what age these timbers are?

The steel piling and bankings still let water in and two pumps have been employed to keep the site dry....

It is certainly a major operation with the bridge fully functional throughout.