mushroom season begins

 

get busy

 

for mom

 

the drought of 2022

 

As with the entire world, we too are suffering from the results of climate change.  We are having one of the hottest and driest Augusts ever.  This photo is underneath the bridge over the Loire river.  Normally, there would be water flowing through this section closest to the shore.  Other sections still have a trickle of water but you'd be hard pressed to pass through in a small boat or even a canoe. Businesses and private residences are under water use restrictions.  Agriculture, including the wine making industry, is taking a huge hit.  Fortunately, our region has not yet been hit with fires as have other regions in France. 

the Amboise blues

 

summer surprise

A few weeks ago, a neighbor brought over a big basket of mushrooms that he had harvested from the local forest of Amboise.  Had it been fall, it would not have been a surprise.  However, given our current drought situation, I don't expect we'll see any more until the fall. If then.

quartorze juillet continued

 

quatorze juillet 2022

 

lavender season

 

quiz answer: wildflowers

 

and what do June flowers bring ?

 

Dad gets a six pack for Father's Day

 

it's snowing cotton balls !

 

clouds in the sky, clouds on the ground

 

Unity

 

At the Hôtel de Ville.

naked !

but not for long. 

sandscape

An unusual phenomenon of sand from the Sahara desert being blown north to France has resulted in some spectacular sunrises and sunsets.  In addition, everything is covered in a fine layer of yellowish dust that will hopefully be washed away with the next rain. 

first taste of Spring

 

Christmas 2021

 

Saturday night fever

 

le marché de vendredi

 

The Friday market in November.

morning has broken

 

the grand illumination

 

La Tour d'Or Blanc

 

This "tower of white gold" was inaugurated this weekend along with a festival of local food and wine. It stands almost 50 feet high at the end of the bridge leading into Amboise.  It pays homage to the white grape (Chenin Blanc) that fuels the white wines of the Loire Valley.  It also honors the wine makers themselves who worked closely with the artist Jean-Michel Othoniel to create this monumental work that overlooks the town and the river like a golden lighthouse.

No one gets into the chateau !

Unless you're a tourist.

 

Alright Mr deVille, I'm ready for my close-up

 

That would be Monsieur deVille d'Amboise.

pergola en rose

 

sunset on the guinguette

 

A guinguette is where you meetup with friends for a drink and perhaps some light eating.  Often there is music and dancing in the evenings.  This one in Amboise has the advantages of a nice view of the Loire and being right next to a bike route where lots of cycling tourists pass by. Here is another view:

Spring at last

 

by the stream