Being tourists in Brussels...a quick summary in pictures.

 

Triumphal Arch of the Parc du Cinquantenaire 

Autoworld

Military museum

Art Nouveau & Art Deco

Frites & beer

The E.U.

End of evening delight.

More on these visits to follow.

Immersing ourselves in the last days of Pompeii.

In Brussels for the weekend with Dennis and Angela and being very well hosted by Ann and Denis. After arriving yesterday afternoon we decided to head out to the 'Pompeii experience' now on in the city.

We were not sure what to expect but found it very enjoyable, especially being in the Roman amphitheatre and fumbling through the virtual villa...good fun!

Below are our Roman alter egos.

Impressive set of windows in Loches...

On Chemin de la Prairie de la Foire in Loches near the gates to the public gardens. Love its symmetry and its delicate wrought-iron balconies on the first floor, the house feels both grand and approachable.

Spotted in local cafe...

 

Expect the unexpected!

We spotted this elephant (?) as we walked along the high ground of the Voie verte during our walk on Friday. We have driven this road many many times and never noticed it from it, may very well be a new addition to the house owner's gardenalia!

 

Mon Banc Dominical - My Sunday Bench in Leugny (86)

 

No takers on a winter's day on Place de l'Église in Leugny.

Yesterday's walk in Descartes.

Pauline had an appointment at the hairdressers in Descartes yesterday and as it was a fine morning we took ourselves down to the river for a walk along the banks and through the gardens. Then onto the Voie verte,managing a good 5.5km in all.

 

Bit too heavy pollarding in the gardens?

Our favourite shutters viewed from the path.

Having to stop...

I had to stop on the way home from Le Grand-Pressigny tonight and capture the sunset.

 

Monday's walk in pictures...

 

A guid wee nicht...celebrating Burns

 

 

  A guid, blythe nicht we huckle doon,

To hail oor Bard an’ strum a tune;

His words, like wine, grew rich wi’ time,

Frae tender heart tae rovin’ rhyme.

Jane set the board wi’ kindly care,

A haggis fine beyond compare;

Its savour deep, its warmth sae braw,

Sae rich an’ tasty, we ate it a’.

Wi’ David, nae a glass lay empty,

There wis baith red an’ white wine aplenty;

Nae cup sat still, nae thirst unkent,

While cheer an’ laughter round were sent.

Then Geoff an’ Cally, strings in hand,

Brought music ower the happy band;

Their tunes had us a’ in lively strappin’,

Wi’ sang an’ hearty, thumpin’ clappin’.

Wi’ Jane an’ David guid an’ kind, 

An’ Geoff an’ Cally’s sounds entwined. 

A Bard, a feast, a dram, a rhyme

Wi freens we had a lovely time

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench -Loches

 

Benches wait through our short winter for entertainment from the bandstand in the public gardens in Loches. 

Monday's walk - at La Guerche.

The walks around us here in La Guerche are all ups and downs as we sit in the valley of the river Creuse. Think we all prefer the downs! 

Roger was sent ahead to check out the route.

Renewing 'Carte de séjour'.

 

Took this photo on our walk to Leugny on Friday the owner of the property said Santa insisted on being placed there as he needed a new photo for his 'Carte de séjour'.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - in Descartes.

One of the last remaining ornate metal benches in the  René Boylesve Public Gardens in Descartes.