Just another 'out of the box', surprise!

Saturday is Market day. There's a change in the air as some of the market stalls are absent and one of the cafe's is closed. We're not sure why, but we will keep you posted.

Sunday is a cool morning-single digits, 9 degrees but the sky is bright blue and it's a perfect washing day. Voila! A big breakfast follows and some reviewing of the autumn/winter wardrobe which has been 'in storage' - a big black bag, for the past 4 months. After all, we have a trip to Paris next weekend and 10 days in the UK the following weekend. By the time we return it will be well and truly autumnal.

By midday, our jobs done, we are ready for a Sunday arvo soiree. The Australians Living in France (FB) group has alerted me to the France Patrionmoine weekend. A weekend of history and culture across France, where icons of history and local importance (over 28,000) are open to the public for free or reduced rates. I have researched our local area and 25 minutes drive away is Château Mornay, which mentions a reduced entry and a snacks on sale. It sounded like the perfect destination so that's where we head, with no particular expectations.

So you can imagine our surprise, when we are greeted at the Imperial tower, just over the moat by a charming Frenchman, appropriately dressed in 18th century attire, with a large old dog, called Soeil (sun) who really looked more like a bear! He speaks no English, but easily convinces us to enjoy dejeuner (€15 each) before joining a tour around the Chateau and grounds. We are amazed. Here is a Château, built in the 17th century with a history going back to the medieval ages sitting in the middle of a paddock not 15 minutes away from our local Intermarche at St Jean D’Angeley. Just another moment for the memories.

Lunch is simple, sweet potato soup, followed by jambon, ham and white beans, then some crepes. Wine was €3 a glass and there were some non alcoholic options for the driver. The Château was not huge, but the history was fascinating and there were two trees registered on the 'Remarkable Tree of France' list in 2019 that were 400 years old! There were more than a dozen locals who had donned their 'historical attire' to act as guides and they did an excellent and most passionate job.

We soaked up the history, ambled around the beautiful old grounds and gardens before heading home across the paddocks on the backroads, because that's the way our 'new car' took us. Some pool cleaning, the last summer Aperol Spritz and a very pleasant relaxing evening in the garden before the sun set around 8pm.Read more