T Stands for ....the delights of France.

Hi everyone, we're back! We had a fabulous time with friends and family in France, the weather was in the main dry and warm. We drove through rain a couple of times, sat and watched a torrential downpour one day from a restaurant and had a few nights when we woke up to wet ground and sunshine. Since we got home we have had our fair share of rain though!

I have picked out a few highlights to begin with and will fill in details over the next few weeks!

I will start with my T Stands For Tuesday pic which allows to join in with folk sharing a drink related item over at Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog The Altered Book Lover.

This was a little cafe close to the entrance of Chateau du Lude - the most northerly of the Loire Valley chateaux. Inside the cafe it was just like walking into an English Tea Room although we opted to have a cold drink (Coke for me, Sprite for hubby) the cups were so pretty.

As you can see I had my mini journal with me.

The owner was lovely too! We shared a huge Mille Fueille (Napoleon in the US and Vanilla Slice in the UK).

Okay! Some highlights....

....first the sunrise as we spotted land when we woke up on the ferry going in to Cherbourg 

We didn't see much in Nantes, I got off the tram and felt faint so we ended up in the Office de Tourisme where a kind lady let me sit in front of an electric fan for around an hour drinking water. I think the  tram ride had something to do with it!

After lunch we visited the cathedral but it was such a hot day that we both just wanted to stay in the shade and take our time.  

We visited Clisson instead of going back in to Nantes the next day. The castle was a delight and we had this lovely view over the town

We then headed south to visit our friends near Poitiers.

One day we went to Civaux and stopped off here in beautiful La Chapelle Mortimer.

We went to Civaux to see the Mertovignian Cemetery - a really interesting place - I will explain why another time!

We enjoyed a visit to an Art Trail in Parthenay - a Jour de Patrimoine event.

Our first trip out when we went to  my eldest's manoir south of Limoges was to Brantome Abbey and caves - a fascinating visit.

It was lovely to wake up to this view.

This is Diezel (He's such a cute Frenchie) kept me company after I was bitten badly by something evil.......... 

.............at the Jardins Imaginaire in Terassson Le Villedieu.

They were beautiful though!

Just around the corner from the manoir is the Grotte de Tourtoirac - one of the most amazing places I have ever visited! There will be more!

We saw quite a few hot air balloons during our stay - this was at Chateau Beynac.

I loved visiting Le Mans Cathedral too - Henry II and Alionore d'Aquitaine connections!

That's it for now, I'll be back soon with my calendar journal if you want to read ahead about our adventures!

Thanks for looking, Chris