Cycling the chateaux loop

August 3, 2016

While we were in Blois I was keen to try and get to as many chateaux as possible, even if that meant just spotting them from the road, as I knew we wouldn't be able to go into all of them. In Blois and around the ones we chose to visit were Chambord, Cheverny and the Palace Royal du Blois, but there were plenty more on my list of potentials, including chateaux Beauregard and de Troussay.

So when I spotted they were both on what I've called the chateau loop - and is actually called Pays de Châteaux à Vélo or circuit number four, which is easy to follow with signposts along the way - I was quite pleased and I knew that on one of our Blois days we'd be doing that cycle.

From our base near the station in Blois it was around 33 miles, so a long days cycling as we spent some time visiting Cheverny and snuck in some winetasting too. Well, when in France...

OUR 33 MILE ROUTE TICKING OFF THE CHATEAUX

This time as we left Blois instead of turning along we the river headed straight on towards the forest and Chateau de Beauregard, after first crossing a rather stinky (it must be said) wooden footbridge at Cellettes. No photos from there, as my nose was having a sensitive moment and the river at Cellettes was recovering from an overflow from the Loire. The footbridge was impressive and reminded me of cycling in East London's Bow Locks and I'm sure the smell was just temporary.

We cycled right up to the Chateau gates and contemplated stopping for a coffee, but managed to stay strong because it wasn't on our list. We tried to get a glimpse from the entrance and failed so I snapped the sign instead as proof of our visit.

The quiet village close to chateau de beauregard

Back onto the quiet roads and we were soon joining the loop proper and heading towards Cheverny. We stopped in the town at a farmers market, buying strawberries to supplement our lunch. The photo below indicates the market was empty, but it wasn't. When I got the camera out, everyone stepped back which was quite sweet of them, but completely unnecessary!

We cycled onto Cheverny and quickly found the bike racks. Having locked everything up our next stop was the toilets where we found about fifty more bike racks. And as we're collecting signs in this post, here's the Cheverny one. If you're cycling to Cheverny, there are plenty of bike racks so if the first smaller set are full, don't despair!

You thought I wasn't going to show you a picture of the chateau didn't you? I don't think I could resist; I love its elegant exterior, and its symmetry - it was also great inside and I'll share some photos of the interior soon. I hope you'll be as wow-ed and amazed as I was.

Not a bad view into the garden is it?

After walking round as much of the grounds and as much of the interior as we could, checking out the cafe and nipping into Maison du Vin for a wine tasting, it was time to get back on the bikes and complete the loop. And there was a fair bit still to do.

The next chateau we stopped at was Château de Troussay and this was our view from the road. It looks romantic doesn't it, and I kind of wished we'd chosen a smaller chateau to visit as well.

My disappointment was short lived though as we turned the bend I spotted what turned out to be a gîte. Parking the bike I explored a little closer on foot, much to MOH's amusement. I mean just look at that roof, the shape of the building, and oh that wall...

Prised away from getting the perfect shot we headed off again, not really getting very far before we saw this quirky little place. Knowing he was beaten we pulled up again and off I disappeared with the camera. It's actually part of a local vineyard, but doesn't it have character and charm?

A red front door framed by pretty plants

Peering up the road I could see the more of the vineyard's buildings, but knowing time was getting on and we still had a fair few miles to cover to get back to Blois, and I was fading fast I headed back to MOH and my bike. The whole day was a longer ride than we'd expected, and at around 33 miles our longest cycle of the holiday so far. And if we didn't get pedalling there wouldn't be time for our ritual beer in the town as we arrived, and we couldn't be having that!

So while we set out to spot chateaux - and we did do that - as well as visiting Cheverny, the highlight of my day was these two quirky cottages which to me screamed Frenchness, and summed up what I love about France. And Cheverny is well worth a visit too!

The roses at Hyde Hall

August 2, 2016

This year for me, seems to be one of roses. They were everywhere we went in France and since we've been home I've been noticing them too. Before I would have said I wasn't a fan of roses - well apart from the chocolate variety - and they were a definite no for my wedding bouquet (I had peonies if you were wondering).

However it's been all about the scent for me this year, and it could be the year I publicly declare myself a rose fan. I've already shared the two cottage gardens at Hyde Hall with you, and today it's all about the roses there.

Even before I reached the Rose Garden in the centre of the site I saw these in the borders of the Australia and New Zealand garden. And look at how the rose changes colour as it ages.

There weren't many rose hips around on my visit at the start of July - most likely a little too early - but there were a few starting to form. I imagine the rose bushes will look almost as good covered in these, almost berry like but slightly alien looking forms.

As you'd expect the roses in the rose garden were spectacular. I like these with the background of lavender and yes, they're both traditional cottage garden flowers aren't they, so are bound to look good together.

The variety of shapes, colour and form amazes me and I think the peachy pink ones below are my most favourite shape. I like how their petals change colour giving the flower a 3D look in my photos.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that the year I start to notice the roses is the year that my own Gertrude Jeckyll has sprung to life. That's partly because I've sited it in a more favourable place and it's repaying me, but I'm sure it is linked. These clambering pink roses reminded me of my own, although I'm not sure if they're the same sort.

pink roses against the cloud, but where did that come from

There were roses everywhere at Hyde Hall - in the Shrub Rose Borders and in the Queen Mother's garden. And of course now I'm not sure where I snapped these. I don't think that matters though.

a rose in flower with more buds to follow

And to end a couple of yellow roses, because everyone needs some yellow in their life and I'm thinking where roses are concerned that logic also applies. These look so heavy and laden with petals that they can't quite lift their heads don't they, or perhaps it's so they can direct their scent down to us. What do you think?

laden flower heads so heavy they can't look up

So are you a diehard rose fan, or a new convert like me?

The seasons of the year in flowers

August 1, 2016

Last week I shared the upcycled home decor pieces at the pop up shops at Dalegate Market, just over the road in St Mary's Church there was a flower festival so it would have been rude not to have a look wouldn't it? As we approached the church I was taken by the colourful daisies growing out of the wall. I saw these recently at the garden centre and was seriously tempted to leave with some, I thought I'd know their name the next time I saw them too, but of course I don't. Pretty though, aren't they?

St Mary's Church in Burnham Deepdale Norfolk

And yes that sky. How blue? Norfolk is one of those large skied counties, so when it's this blue it's really impactful. The same could be said of the flower arrangements outside the church porch, they're quite a statement too aren't they?

St Mary's Burnham Deepdale porch entrance arrangement

Inside the porch there were some gorgeous sweet peas, my favourite flowers at the moment. The arrangement was called All things bright and beautiful, no doubt many people's favourite hymn.

All things bright and beautiful on the porch window sills

St Mary's church in Burnham Deepdale is famous for its round tower and mediaeval stained glass windows, but the flower festival is inspired by the Normal font, which has the months of the year on three sides, and so the flower festival depicts seasons of the year. And there were some stunning displays - and ideas.

Spring

What else for Spring other than Easter Bonnets? And it feels pretty springlike to me with its daisies, gerberas and roses and fluff-like gypsophila.

Summer

The summer display hints at long days pottering about in the garden with a colour scheme of blues, pinks and whites. The flower festival was held the third week of July, so no doubt this was one of the easier arrangements to source, but it was still stunning.

This next display was my favourite, not only was it yellow but it was dramatic with the yellow buckets hanging from yellow ribbons, interspersed with yellow feathers. And of course, it's called Summer Holiday, what else?

MY FAVOURITE, A VERY CLEVER AND STUNNING ARRANGEMENT CALLED SUMMER HOLIDAY

Autumn

Moving to Autumn, the obvious choice was for Harvest Festival and doesn't this decorated pallet look autumnal, that's no mean feat I think for July. The other things that scream autumn are fireworks and game and both of these were cleverly incorporated into the displays.

ALL GOOD GIFTS AROUND US ARE SENT FROM HEAVEN ABOVE

Winter

In front of the altar was a display with lilies, shells and seed heads sprayed gold, and was another creative way of demonstrating a season that's, hopefully, a long way off.

The second winter display I'm including is quite obviously Christmas, and of course it's a Christmas tree. This one's quite a work of patience though, as it's made of toilet rolls stacked in a triangle and decorated with baubles and fir cones.