20/02/2018 Join us on a drive to Angouleme on another grey and dreary day.

Maximum temperature today 10C, minimum 6C.  3 mm of rain measured last night but drizzling all day again. North Easterly chilly winds; 22 km/h with up to 43 km/h gusts. 

All photos have been made a little brighter as it was really very grey with light drizzle on and off.

I have put this wall painting on the blog many times before, but it is the first thing we see entering into the tunnel before Angouleme.  I just love it.

In the tunnel and then...

sharp right just after; up this very narrow road...

tight squeeze past the parked van, the side mirror was very close!

Underground parking.  We collected some new duvets that we had ordered.  The old ones we gave to the homeless charity.

Then on to the Thai market which I love.  We were short of time though so no chance to browse and fill the trolley, only bought what was on the list! 

This old house which I thought had lots of character was opposite the Thai market.

On the road again. Good to see full size trees on a roundabout in the middle of a built up area...

We passed this little outside market...

Note the well pruned trees, they are a bit harsh here in France, but the trees seem to thrive...

Past the old Massey Ferguson depot...

Angouleme centre up on the hill.  The dark coloured building behind the tree is the very large enclosed market...

Crossing over the Charente river. Apologies for the windscreen mark....

and stopping at our favourite restaurant for lunch and a glass of wine 👍

Looking up at the building next door...

Heading back home past Eglise Saint Cybard Saint Yrieix, a roman catholic church...

Trucks hogging both lanes of traffic!!!!

Nearly back home, this is the new pallet factory that has been recently finished just out of town...

The last photos I put on while building was in progress was in October last year

Note all the wood piled up on the left.

If you should be interested after an 18 month break from my blog 'My Life Before the Charente'  I have at last added a new post 😊

17/08/2017 A visit to Chateau de la Mercerie and lunch at nearby Villebois-Lavalette.

Maximum temperature 27C, minimum 14C.   7 km/h NE wind with 24 km/h gusts.  Dry.

We visited with a group and had an English speaking Tour guide...

It has an interesting history, though not a long one compared with most French Chateaux. Building only commenced in 1939, due to family deaths and other problems, the building never got completely finished.  The local village agreed though that it should be restored and much of the work is being done by friends, locals and retired workmen for free.

As seen from the car park...

Walking up the hill...

Taken through one of the windows, this part is not on the tour.

Our fabulous and amusing tour guide.

The place was built by two brothers, One interested in architecture, and the other in art in the form of paintings and statues.  Most of the good artwork was sold off  when money ran out, (sigh) but there is still plenty that could not be moved and remains.  Certainly well worth a visit.

The ceiling of the above room.

The bedroom, but it seems the room was never actually used as such!

The story goes, this lady reported the two men who crept up behind her and made terrible suggestions, they were both hung for there sins!!

I have many more photos which I may put on tomorrow as I am hoping to get some gardening done and there will be little time for photos.

We then all went to Villebois-Lavalette for lunch, this is the covered market where the restaurant serves its meals.

A great meal with excellent company.

 Here is a taster of the dessert :-)

Looking up the hill from the market to the Church.

I blogged about the whole town much earlier Here and Here. It is a spectacular place.

21/10/2015 A couple of flower photos and some artwork from Angouleme.

Maximum temperature 16C, minimum 5C.  19 km/h N wind. Dry.

Californian Poppy, thought they had finished flowering!

Climbing rose.

Artistic recycle bins in Angouleme.

As above.

As above.

An electrical cover :-)

08/08/2015 Forgot the camera when we went shopping this morning, but not to worry, lots of photos from last night at the Château L'Age Baston where N did his cookery course.

Maximum 22C, minimum 13C.  26 km/h NW wind.   12mm rain :-)