jeudi 20 mai 2021
mercredi 5 mai 2021
May news
08:44
May already, and the site isn't open as originaly planned. It will hopefully be open by the end of the month as people are allowed to move around again. Foreign visitors will be allowed into the country from 9 June, but the travel conditions are not yet known - so keep an eye on the news channels.
April was very dry and very cold, as in many parts of Europe. The Cher River is particularly low at the moment:
Very low Cher |
Dry mill stream |
But it does mean we've had sunny skies and the flowers have been blooming.
Flowers on our palm tree |
Local attractions are opening up slowly; Clos Luce, Chaumont, Montpoupon, Chambord and the Pagoda are opening their outside spaces this week. No news yet about the opening up of Chenonceau Castle. The Zoo de Beauval will be opening for on 25 May.
jeudi 8 avril 2021
April News
09:36
March ended and April started very warm and sunny, but it didn't last for long as with many in the northern parts of Europe.
The 'colza' fields were glowing yellow but the vines don't like freezing temperatures at this time of year - the 'vignerons' have been lighting fires (big round bales of hay) next the thier vines to keep the temperatures above 0. They employ large fans to keep the air moving, even resorting to helicopters hovering low over the vines to keep the frost away.
A change of scene at Le Moulin Fort this week as the local landscaping company used the site to test some new battery powered Husqvarna - we got some grass and hedges cut in the process!!
Although we have been able to start preparing the site:
....the start of the season looks iffy!
France is now in another lockdown situation and travelling for 'non-essential' reasons is limited to 10kms ... the restrictions will last until 3 May at the earliest.
Watch this space for an update of our planned opening.
Meanwhile in Chenonceaux village they have created a 'one-way' system! Should be fun in the summer....
From east to west you are diverted around the back of the village and rejoin the main road at the Bon Laboureur.