Friday Afternoon in Brantome

A couple of weeks ago I did a post about Brantome on a Friday afternoon, after the market had finished.

Today I had to go into again to post a parcel to a little girl in the UK who has been waiting patiently for her quilt.

This time I was too late for a quiet stroll round a nearly deserted town! The place was heaving, even at 3.00pm

The old church which is being restored (I talked about it last time), but a lovely shot showing geraniums.

Then I walked over the bridge towards the Abbey and spotted these gorgeous flowers, in boxes hanging from the railings.

Oh look! The little children from the Centre Sociale (they look after the kids during the day) were performing a flash dance.

It's the wedding season in France and Brantome has been the venue for lots of very very smart, Parisian style, weddings

You can tell how smart it was.  The sapin de mariage is usually a pine branch decorated with paper flowers in the wedding colours. However, these are bamboo with fine gold ribbons and delicate decorations.

Outside one of the many tourist shops. This particular one is owned by a friend of ours.

English tourists enjoying a late lunch by the river (I heard them talking so I knew they were English!)

and some riverside shots.

The last shot of the day before I too wilted in the heat and braved a very hot car.

More soon.

Saturday Photo Shoot

Not a lot of sewing going on at the moment. I'm waiting for Round 4 of the Liberated Round Robin.

However, yesterday I took the camera out for a walk. First time in ages.

I had to go into Brantome to do some chores. You know the sort of thing. Go to the bank, post some letters, do a bit of shopping.

I managed to time it just right. The market had finished (if you live here Brantome is to be avoided like the plague on Friday morning's unless you have a death wish!), the streets were clear and most sensible people were finishing lunch.

The old church is undergoing a major refurbishment. They're taking off the cladding, revealing the stone work and old windows.

I haven't got a photo of what it looked like before, but you can see some here.

To think that these windows and walls have been covered up for years. Aren't they stunning.

The Place d'Albret is where the main market is and during high season is a disaster area.  As I said, you've got to be mad to even think about going there on a Friday morning, unless, of course, you are a tourist.

However, when the stallholders have packed up and the street cleaners come in, the place is deserted. In 13 years I've never seen it looking like this, even out of season. Actually it does look like out of season doesn't it?

Where has the summer gone?

There is some sort of exhibition going on at the Abbaye. I love this poster against the brick wall.

Walking back though Albret and along the Quai Bertin, very fast before the heavens opened.

I was tempted, very tempted, to stop for a bite to eat, but they were closing.

I finally made it back to the car before it rained

More soon.

Wordless Wednesday

The calm before

the storm

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday II

Wordless Wednesday - Yum!

Wordless Wednesday - More Signs

Battle of the Elements

The week before last Tonya left France and France has hardly stopped crying since, a part from the odd day last week.

This last weekend South West France decided to have a tantrum because she hadn't visited Carcassone when she said she would!

We've had rain rain rain and rain - torrential rain.  Everything is flooded.  Friday and Saturday we had hurricane force winds.  For once, this part of the Dordogne escaped the worst of it and we actually had power for the whole 48 hours, whilst there are still about 1 million homes without electricity.

We went down to Brantôme to see the state of the river, but hardly expected to see this!





When Jen was here in November the river was so low you could see the bottom.  Now look at it!



The Dronne is like the Dordogne!!

So - not a lot of sewing going on.  There has been a slight problem.  It's called a leaking roof right over my sewing table.  We are in the process of getting it sorted and then hopefully I'll be able to get back to Blackcurrant Fool.

Colourful Thursday

Jambon sec

I love the colours here.  Makes my fingers itch for some solids and the rotary cutter

Jen pointed out some stringy, skinny letters.

Seeing Stars

I still haven't quite got the hang these - they really are either incredibly wonky or liberated, depending on which side of the fence you sit.

Yes Tonya, I know the one bottom right hasn't got any contrast on the left hand point, but I'm still practising.  Actually that particular star is my favourite.

The one on the left has got another Clare's DOH.  I'm beginning to think that every single quilt I make will have a DOH in it!

There is a new shop in Brantôme selling Egyptian glass, ornaments, furniture and other bits and pieces, including appliqué cushion covers and throws.  Couldn't get a photo of the throws and only managed to get this one when the proprietor's back was turned!

Another hot day today.  We are getting ready for the Viveurs Annual Summer Meet which means cleaning out the barn, summer cleaning bedrooms and turning the house upside down!

Have a great weekend.

 

 

 

Winter Morning in Brantome

WiP Wednesday - 26-09-2007

3 down to 2 - Kezia's quilt has just got to be labelled and sent on its way. At the moment it is drying off after its quick cold wash. Bit of a colour run from someone's red, but I don't think it shows that much.

So down to basics.

The start of My Quilting Adventure.

The start of Tamzin's quilt.

I'm in a quandry about this. Can someone advise please. The letters on the top line get smaller as you go from left to right. I'm not at all sure about the 2 lowercase M's, but as the one in TaMzin is the 3rd attempt to get it right, that one is staying. It's the one in ToM that I'm worried about. Do I leave it or chuck it and start again?

Sunday's bargains.

And last, but not least, beautiful Brantôme. I love this photo. I was sitting in the car last Sunday waiting for DH and Alex, got out the camera and clicked - voila!