Uphill to the Sea by Gordon Simms

Moving to France in 2006 I had the great fortune of staying with Joc & Gordon Simms.  Treasured friends Gérald and I were thrilled to learn not only is Gordon's work published but is also the Biscuit Prize winner, 2011. 

Adding to our joy are the comments from internationally respected poets, Christopher North and Katherine Gallagher.  Christopher North says, ‘poems of great sensitivity, physicality and muscle,’ and Katherine Gallagher says,’ lyrical, highly visual poems which dance off the page.’

Gordon has been living in France for 10 years and this year he is organising the first ever LitFest in his village of Saint Clémentin, 79150.  The principal guest author is Helen Dunmore who will be joined by a most interesting band of authors and workshop presenters.  Many of Gordon’s poems have won prizes and been published in anthologies and he is available for poetry readings and for workshops on poetry or other forms of creative writing in France and in the UK.  For details of his online poetry course, Correspondences, visit http://www.poetryproseandplays.co.uk/ 

La Bellevue's continued transformation

Courtesy of Mme Papin and her fabulous team at Loire Piscine Jardin.  La Bellevue has undergone a considerable transformation in preparation of the 2012 Spring/Summer season.

Which, much to my delight, has also seen an overhaul of the massif.

Remarkably, in a matter of weeks and since the down pour we had during April the shurbs, roses and lavendar have tripled in size...

May 2012 - after so much rain ! What a transformation !

A bientôt, Sarah-Jane & Gérald

Introducing 'les tontons'

Bienvenue to les tontons.

Gracing the front of our wine bar and bistro's cards are our two jovial uncle's.

Symbolic of Bistrot Les Tontons, our two chipper chappies, (who look ready to enjoy themselves!), have now been become a permanent fixture on the front of our wine bar and bistro door.

les tontons = uncle's


Bistrot Les Tontons : Place Saint Pierre, Saumur : Tél: 02 41 59 59 40

Weekend de l'Amateur du Vin d'Evreux

Representing Domaine de la Paleine Gérald returned to Evreux for the Weekend de l'Amateur de Vin d'Evreux wine fair and caught up with Thiebault Huber-Verdereau, Domaine Huber-Verdereau and Géraud Fromont, Domaine des Marnes Blanches both of who we work with at Bistrot Les Tontons and at Ten Green Bottles Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton.

The weekend provided a great opportunity for new vintages to be sampled and future business ventures involving Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Domaine des Marnes Blanches, Bistrot Les Tontons and Ten Green Bottles to be discussed.  One of which will include wine tastings hosted by Thiebault and Géraud in Brighton and Saumur.

Thiebault Huber-Verdereau - Domaine Huber-Verdereau

Géraud Fromont - Domaine des Marnes Blanches

Wine tastings at Bistrot Les Tontons with Thiebault and Géraud will be arranged soon...

Chalonnes-sur-Loire (49) : Fêtes des Vins d'Anjou

Held over the last weekend in February Chalonnes-sur-Loire is one of my favourite wine festivals to attend.

Unlike the trade wine fairs we frequent this is a local affair uniting wine, antiques, cuisine, artisans produce, plants & vegetables, agricultural equipment etc.

And most importantly where the Final for Miss Anjou is held before she heads to hopefully become Miss France !!

"Bonjour Mr Norbet". Peanuts roasted on an open fire yum-yum !

Winter has left the Val de Loire ?

Excited Grandparents arrived at the end of January to spend a relaxing two and a half weeks with Constance & Augustin, Gérald and myself - they arrived and returned in snow !

Last week the words "winter has left the Val de Loire" reached my ears, on verra !  If so, perhaps two and a half weeks wasn't so bad after all ?

Bistrot Les Tontons, Saumur

After a shockingly cold spell at the beginning of February winter, for now... appears to have left the Loire Valley.

Snow has been exchanged for sunshine and cloudless blue skies, and a hint of spring can be felt in the air as the days now start to visibly lenghten and warm.

Last week the final touches to the bistro's façade were completed - here's a sneek peek at the new look of Bistrot Les Tontons, Place Saint Pierre, Saumur.

A bientôt !