T Stands for time well spent

Hi everyone, 

I shall continue with our French trip if that's OK.

You have already seen how we spent our first full day - a Saturday.

On Sunday we visited a couple of Vide Greniers - the only equivalent I can think of is either a British Boot sale, or a garage sale if you are in the USA.

I managed to get a selection of used postage stamps and some spectacle cleaners - not exactly a big spender!

In between the two we went to a favourite restaurant - Auberge de la Cour d'Henon

We both chose duck which followed a really great Hors d'oeuvres plate.

For dessert I chose a rhubarb layered pot, hubby had Black Forest gateau.

Our drink for all four of us was water.

As you can see the restaurant was quite busy. 

I am of course joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth for T stands for Tuesday.

On Monday we were taken to Parc Imbert in Thouars, it has really well laid out areas.

Looking down into the wooded valley we decided that on such a hot day it would be a trek back up again, so left that for another cooler time.

An ant heading for some greenery

The photos have come out in a jumbled order (thanks Blogger)

We went for a walk around the town and came to St Medard church.

It has the most beautiful stained glass windows

The carvings on the outside of the building are impressive too

The town has lots of little streets with lovely medieval houses

This area is now part of a college

From here we had short drive to visit to Airvault and the Abbey

We walked around the side of the abbey - we think the may have been the cloisters

We walked back to the car through the old market.

A truly lovely day, I hope you enjoyed the photos (if you are still here).

Thanks for looking, Chris 

Playtime

I've actually managed some crafting time this weekend. 

First a tag for Tag Tuesday- Sandie's theme is 'Using book Pages'

Just based on something that has happened recently - the look on the Aall and Create Janet Klein bird's face says it all!

This page started with a tissue handkerchief layer onto a Kraft page to which I had added blue paint.

I used a Stamperia stencil then coloured in the mushrooms and added some white pen marks (Thanks to Elle of Empire Of The Cat for reminding me to use my white pens more)
This page is of course for Tracey's 'My Favourite Colour is Autumn' theme at Art Journal Journey. 

Thanks for looking, Chris 

Autumn in my calendar journal and a Second Look at Autumn

 Well, we certainly have got some Autumn weather - I had to go out briefly last night and there was a definite chill in the air. Yesterday we had one of those yellow sun days with some fluffy clouds, today, rain.

My calendar journal has colours that I think will certainly be appearing all over the place soon - some of the leaves are already getting an Autumn look to them.

Paper Artsy Fresco paints and the new Crafty Individuals grasses and ferns - the October came from an old calendar.

Here is September all filled in - I took my squares with to fill in on holiday, so some French news in here if you want spoilers!

I am of course entering at Art Journal Journey where Tracey has the great theme of 'My Favourite Colour is October'

            

Now, for my Second on the 2nd post and to link to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's Altered Book Lover blog I have chosen an edited TSFT post from just last year - there were some lovely Autumn colours at Fletcher Moss.

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Last Friday after my friend's funeral we headed to Fletcher Moss.

First we went into the Parsonage Gardens.

For some reason blogger as decided to reorder these photos but I don't suppose it matters...

From here we went down the hill and into the gates of Fletcher Moss

We just looked through the gate at the rose garden.

It was 12.30 and we were ready for a coffee so I am joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth at The Altered Book Lover for T Stands For Tuesday

This is the back of the cafe, which isn't open at the moment.

As you know there are mobile wagons now and on Friday we noticed that they are now going to serve hot snacks.

We both had Cappuccinos and shared a flapjack

As we walked away I turned round to take a photo of where we had been sitting.

The gardens really are beautiful at this time of year.

The palms are looking good and can you see those huge pine cones?

We headed down to a lower level

The plants in the pond are dying off and you can see more of the water

We came out of this gate and back onto the path back to the road

Some birch trees have been chopped down - I wonder why?

We walked around mostly in silence, there weren't many folk around and it seemed right considering the day.

I hope you enjoyed this reflective walk.

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We haven't been here for a while...and we have been busy this week so our only outings have been essential.

Looking forward to a sunny Autumn......

Thanks for looking, Chris

Autumn's Colours at AJJ

 Hi everyone, we are delighted to introduce a new topic at Art Journal Journey for October, where Tracey is hosting this month with her theme - 'My Favourite Colour is October'

I look forward to seeing fungi sprouting up everywhere in Autumn and I love the golden light we get in Autumn too (when it isn't raining that is)

I layered papers on my page, some already coloured and then added some metallic paint, and then added some metalic card(sorry it didn't photograph well) stamped with the Crafty Individuals Mushrooms.

I stamped some text and random leaves onto the background.

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Just a quick word about something not related to AJJ - Jean has some fabulous new Crafty Individuals stamps, stencils and papers on The Craft Store at 10am and 2pm (British Time) today, if you miss it you can watch on 'Craftstore TV'

Here's a sneaky peek - stamps and paper - I think the stamps will certainly be featuring in my pages this month

Thanks for looking, Chris