Visiting in the Loire

We left Susan and Simon's home, yes and Celestine most probably in the mid afternoon to catch up with Carole and Michael. We may have mentioned before that we met them by renting their cottage in Thenay for a week on a previous trip. I particularly remember Michael bringing around a huge cane woven basket of greens during the week and an offer to join them for dinner on our second last night at the cottage. They had another couple staying at their home, strangely enough, that they also met through renting Thenay.
We were invited for two night - well I'm sure that they would have welcomed us for longer however Sue and I have a policy of not wanting to outwear our welcome. There's and old saying that guests are like fish, they start to smell after two days. Mind you, I thought that I may have made a disgrace of myself after what may have been a bad oyster - which we won't go into at this time.

Carole and Micheal's property has some space to roam.

Carole and Michael - friend's well met.

On this trip, our hosts were contemplating a new kitchen - only this year Carole and Sue organised a dinner party for eight with Ken and Walt across the river and their neighbours Annick and Bernard - a great night to remember.
I wish I could as a few of us had heavy heads the next morning.

Several cats live at the house - this one gave us the once over!!!

These signs mean something to the locals - Thenay where we stayed the previous year, I rode my bike through  Oisly on many morning rides and Contres where we shopped.

The Thenay cottage with Michael checking the letterbox.

The local "Baker" had reopened on this visit - previously it was a derelict building. I think Thenay is on the improve from its sleepy little hamlet image.

The local church

I really can't tell you much about this property - I will next time we visit Thenay in 2014.

Vineyards surround the local area.

Having met fellow bloggers Ken and Walt on our previous trip, we organised to have lunch with Walt (Ken was back in the States), Carole and Michael at a restaurant selected by Walt. Very nice it was too.

The Cher river flows under the arched river leading into Saint Aignan.
Sue and Carole look across to the Chateau.

The Saint Aignan Chateau.

Another view looking across the bridge.

I may have mentioned earlier that this trip was a birthday present from Sue to celebrate my 60th birthday. She said would I like to have a party at home or dinner in Paris for my 60th - well you must have guessed by now what my choice was. Paris was not far away.