Scrummy combo... summer has arrived !

Glace Fraise-Basilic
- homemade by Romain, strawberry & basil ice-cream

Bistrot Les Tontons, Place Saint Pierre, 49400 Saumur

Tel : +33 (0)2 41 59 59 40 / Email : bistrotlestontons@gmail.com

Bryan & Dorothy - what a truly inspirational couple !!

My first contact with Bryan & Dorothy was in October 2011 as they planned their impressive 'Tour de France' - Annie's House was their chosen residence while staying in the Loire Valley.

From this moment I had waited in great anticipation for their arrival, from the open exchange of emails I could tell Bryan & Dorothy were going be great fun... and what a truly inspirational couple !!

The Val de Loire's riches; Châteaux, history, architecture, good food, conversation & fine wines, were embrassed while I received lessons on how to use some of the latest available technology... goodness me, suddenly I felt very out of touch.

Bryan & Dorothy dropped into our wine bar, Bistrot Les Tontons for lunch and this is what they had to say...

Not To Be Missed : (source TripAdvisor)

Everything from a cup of coffee to a delicious meal is available in this wonderfully positioned restaurant / wine bar. A great place to while away an hour or two with a beer, a coffee or a glass of wine from the great range available. Looking across the busy little square with it's lovely trees, being able to take advantage of Gerald's faultless recommendations - c'est la vie!

OldFars - 12 June 2012

I spy with my little eye something beginning with B !

Enjoying the warmth of the sun on his coat, it was whilst taking photographs of the massif did I spy Biscotte's new bed...
















Lying amongst the flower beds. Curled up in a ball on the lawn. Lay full length along the bench in front of Annie's House. Sprawled out on the terrace of La Grange d'Henri.
















Today Biscotte appears to have found a secondary purpose for the massif.

Bistrot Les Tontons - Sunday opening throughout July & August 2012

In addition to the usual Tuesday to Saturday opening hours, throughout the summer months of July & August 2012, Bistrot Les Tontons will be open all day on Sunday.

Lunch & Dinner Serving Hours
Tuesday to Sunday : 12h00 to 14h00 & 19h00 to 22h00

While pottering around Saumur on a Sunday, in addition to visiting the Château consider meandering around Saumur's monthly brocante (flea-market) set in front of the Théâtre overlooking the Loire river.

Brocante dates : Sunday 22 July & Sunday 26 August 2012

Cheap Flights from London City Airport to Angers (49), France

The Loire Valley has become even more accessible !!

Courtesy of British Airways and their new flight path : London City Airport to Angers (49), Loire Valley, France. 

Flights are available on Tuesday's, Thursday's & Saturday's.  Commencing at £92 in June  (outbound), dropping to £68 (inbound) throughout September and October (prices taken from the British Airways website 06/06/12). 

As a big fan and past user of Angers Airport this is BRILLIANT news !!

Angers Airport is convenient, small with great parking and to keep younger members of the family amused before take-off, there is a museum next door.

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