Yesterday afternoon was the Chestnut Fair at the nearby tiny village of St Caprais.
With its medieval church.
Containing this stunning interior.
Its ancient houses; this one's for sale (contact me).
My lovely baker, Madame Dimitri; with her giant Sunday brioche (on a Saturday).
The moonshine (eau de vie) still.
The old codger who still weaves traditional chestnut baskets.
And my late-mate Jock's old house (what larks we had).
It was a beautiful hot October afternoon. We bought bread from the lovely Madame Dimitri (she now calls me 'tu'), and met-up with several old friends; nice day.
N.B. I'm not showing you pix of all the Chestnut products, as I expect you've seen enough of them previously; although there is another nearby Chestnut Fair next weekend, so maybe.....
36 comments:
Mmm that giant brioche looks yummy. Sounds like a lovely afternoon.
It takes a long time to get to tu n'est-ce pas?
About 20 years in her case. Do you think I should return the compliment?
They make one every Sunday.... they're HUGE.
You don't want to appear presumptuous, perhaps in a few years.
That's rather what I thought too.
Looks idealic my man.
I love the stone that the houses are built with - so mellow. The area of France that you live in is just so wonderful - no wonder you have stayed there so long.
Haven't been to this fair for several years as we always seem to be back in the UK at this time but always used to enjoy watching the guy with the apple juice press. I never realised that the interior of the church was so colourful. (Lucky you being tu'd by Madame D!)
The juice-press man was there, with a huge amount of apples. I'm wondering if the church hasn't been 'restored'. The last time I went inside I seem to remember stars on the ceiling, and not much else.
V du Pd Chestnut fair next weekend, so expect more pix.
I've just seen that the population of St Caprais was 143 in 1962, and just 79 in 2011. Yesterday one might have thought otherwise.
It's like going back in time
This could only be a French village Cro - and wonderful it is too. Those brioche look beautiful - and that house for sale - would love to look inside. Fancy going back with your camera and giving us a guided tour. If only I were thirty years younger and had an adventurous spirit. (and could persuade the farmer)
It's been for sale for a long time, so I imagine it has 'problems', but those pillars are superb.
I noticed that all the children had iPhones etc.
You'll never persuade a farmer to move Weaver!
No land with it either!
Once again I'm going to say how much I love the way that the French have never lost their connection to the land and the harvests.
Tell that to David and Ruth Archer, Rachel.
Perhaps a little local moonshine with your brioche would make for a cheerful afternoon. :)
This really does look like a wonderful place to spend a nice October day.
Their admiration of all things Chestnut, is certainly admirable.
And to spend every other day of the year (almost).
Okay fill one of those beautiful baskets up with bread and chestnuts for me and I'll be right there.......
What a wonderful way to spend some time...strolling among ancient buildings, smelling fresh bread. Those baskets are lovely.
I have read Mary Moody's books describing this area. She was a friend of Jock Veitch so I suppose you know her. French ruins used to be very cheap. I toyed with the idea of living in France a few years ago but the cost of renovation and the red tape and regulations for the installation of septic tanks etc made me change my mind.
I bought an Australian ruin instead ...a bit easier going about the regulations..nothing medieval here...just dinosaur bones under the house.
I'm in MM's book 'Au Revoir'... the first she wrote about here. She describes me as Jock's best friend (and other things). I'm sure you'd work out who I am. MM was with us about three weeks ago; sipping wine by our pool.
Type 'As Others See Us' in the little search box (top left). All is explained.
I'm kicking myself that I didn't buy a basket, they would be perfect for mushrooming.
Oh !...
Well that's a relief. For one brief moment there I thought you may have been the other distraction
* chuckles*
Lady Magnon wouldn't let me!
Wives are always such bad sports when it comes to that type of thing LOL
What a lovely village !
The house for sale is wonderful but I see lots of dollar signs in the new owners future.
The chestnut in the flier looks a little like a onion ?
cheers, parsnip
How beautiful that village is! You live in quite the place, Cro.
Boy the French do amazing bread, and that brioche looks amazing. So much beauty on your doorstep..you and lady magnon are very lucky indeed.
I could do with a couple of those baskets.
I suspect that house is "not for the faint hearted" but glorious non the less.
I also suspect that continual hard work and empathy with your surroundings has bought you your "luck" at living in such a place.
Drawing chestnuts is a skill they still need to master.
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