canoe ride on the Loire

Finally, after living in Amboise for about seven years, I took my first canoe ride on the Loire with a visiting American friend.  We started near Château Chaumont (in the photo background) and ended in Amboise.  It was a beautiful day and an easy downstream ride.

cookin'

This is how the dinner was prepared at Château Gaillard.

I'm going to be on the road for a few weeks collecting more photos for you, so ADP (as well as my other blog France and Beyond) will be on vacation until I get back.  A bientôt.

the Amboise brocante 2017

Each year there is a huge brocante* here and you never know what you're going to find. Although I always know I will find some good photo-ops.

*Brocantes are like flea markets with both professional sellers and locals wanting to clear out their attics.

Château Gaillard 2017

The château continues it multi-year renovation project and I always look forward to see what progress has been made.  This past year they have really focused on re-creating the gardens that made the château famous.

hangin' out with the wisteria

Even when not in full bloom, the wisteria still adds a nice soft touch to this local hotel facade.

the brass band festival 2017

The annual brass band festival was this weekend.  And bands from all over Europe descend on Amboise to compete.  So there are formal competition events as well as many casual strolling bands around town to entertain us locals as well as the tourists.

floating away

the poppy path

Yesterday's post showed a poppy growing on this path on top of the levee.  The levee protects Amboise from flooding by the Loire river.

the poppies are back !

Here, they are called coqueclicots and can now be seen everywhere, especially along roads and paths. I found this one on a path on top of the levee.

Theme Day nature - "Jackson Pollock naturally"

The first of every month is Theme Day for the worldwide bloggers of City Daily Photo and today's theme is "nature".  To see how the other interpreted this theme click here.

For me, this tree severely encrusted with lichens reminds me of the quote "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life" (Oscar Wilde, 1889).