thriving in isolation

This poppy on the banks of the Loire is several months ahead of its time.  And it was the only one in the vicinity (or anywhere else as far as I know).  By June they should be everywhere but this one confirms my hope that they are on the way.

la rive droite

I'm sure you've heard of the rive gauche in Paris, the left bank.  This is the rive droite in Amboise, the right bank.  The direction is relative to going downstream BTW.  Anyway, these homes have a typical architecture for this region.  Plus these have the additional benefit of having the best view of the château in town.

I vote for amusement

From Wikipedia: "...yellow is the color people most often associate with amusement, gentleness, humor, and spontaneity, but also with duplicity, envy, jealousy, avarice, and, in the U.S., cowardice."

silent Spring

Silence not from pesticides this time, but from a pandemic. It's the first day of Spring in France (although the States beat us to it by five hours, so it was Spring there yesterday).  The streets of Amboise are eerily empty and the only sounds to be heard are those from the birds.

the path to good health

This is a favorite stretch along my usual running route.  It's not only easy on the feet (like an old cinder track) but also easy on the eyes.

time to hunker down

Time to stay home and read that book you've been wanting to dig into. Stream a movie. Play with the kids...and grandkids. Relax while you can. 

Christmas Eve 2019

Holiday lights in the main square (Place Debré) with the château in the background.

wading for lunch

It won't be long.

I'm grateful for beautiful sunsets

Especially when I can shoot them from outside my front door.

a recurring theme

Fog is definitely a recurring theme in my neighborhood since we are right next to the Loire River.  Of course it's also a recurring theme on this blog, and this view of the empty market place especially.

pearls

last sunlight on the bell tower

the sunsets are back

After several years of a sunset "drought", they seem to be back this year, the good ones that is.

we take off at dawn

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On my way back from the boulangerie this morning.

no autographs

Oh well.  At least I got his picture.

old yeller

Another beauty from one of the public flower beds in Amboise.

Noah's vacation ark

I've not seen a boat like this around here before but it's been moored up across from the Ile d'Or for awhile now.  A perfect parking place right at the foot of the château.

14 juillet 2019

Another great celebration yesterday commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1799.  For this reason, Americans tend to call this Bastille Day but in France it's simply called quatorze juillet (14th of July).  It may appear that the rockets are emanating from the château but they were actually launched from the little island in the Loire in front (Ile d'Or).

Crinkly by Alexander Calder

This Calder mobile-stabile has returned from its "road trip" where it was on display in the Netherlands.  On its return earlier this year it was installed in a space behind a new art center in central Amboise.  In the background you can see the château including its famous chapel on the left.

from Amboise, it's Saturday night

Criterium d'Amboise 2019

In this annual race, the cyclists make 40 loops around a 1.85 km course (about 46 miles) on the boulevard that parallels the Loire.  It was a perfect evening for it and the golden sunset on the château and the riders made it even better.

the marketplace

This vaulted parking area is where the Friday and Sunday markets are held in Amboise.  Of course, this is just a fraction of the total area.  The Sunday market is one of the largest in France and today it's filled with locals and tourists on a day when the heat wave has receded a bit.

golden guy

I'm not expecting to see this street performer out on the streets this week.  It's the first heat wave to hit this Summer and it's predicted to be record breaking.  While more and more businesses and restaurants are air conditioned, most people's homes are not.

another peaceful day in paradise

sunset on Spring

The solstice was yesterday and it's officially Summer!  Note that this shot was taken a 10:15 pm.  We are at the same latitude as Newfoundland.

water under the bridge

Shot from bridge Leclerc over the Loire, this shows how shallow the waters are now as they flow under the arches.  Only kayaks and canoes can navigate this part of the river while at its Atlantic mouth sea-going tankers can pass under the great bridge at Saint-Nazaire.

poppies on the Loire

The poppies are in full bloom here and these down by the river Loire have the perfect view of it.

drumbeat

Another view on the recent Brass Band festival orchestral finale.  This time a focus on the drum section.

rockin' reflections

This reflecting pool is at nearby Château Chaumont which specializes in outdoor works of art on a large scale.

youth orchestra on the plaza

The big finale to the 25th annual Brass Band Festival in Amboise was actually a full orchestra of youthful musicians.  Throughout the day, the smaller brass bands competed for top honors and also strolled around town entertaining the locals and tourists alike.