It was June 18, 2008. CHM and I were spending the aftenoon driving around taking photos. The weather was beautiful. After having lunch in a restaurant in Saint-Aignan, we drove across the bridge over the Cher to the town of Noyers. We went up to higher ground on the north side of the river valley to take in the views. Here's what we saw: the château de Saint-Aignan off in the distance.
We also noticed that there was an old windmill in Noyers. We took photos of it from the heights, and then we went to find it and take some photos closer up. It wasn't easy to find, bas as you can see in the second photo below, we succeeded in getting pretty close. I also took pictures of a pretty wheat field and of the church in Noyers.
Here's another view of Saint-Aignan taken from the highlands. It's a wider view that includes, on the left, the church.
We were about two miles from the château.
We were about two miles from the château.
Yes, I remember vividly the windmill and the beautiful view of Saint-Aignan. From this side of the Cher, the chateau/fortress is really impressive. As I said before, I enjoy so much this traveling back in time!
ReplyDeleteThat lunch, wasn't it in Noyers at the Relai Routier? Or was it some other time?
DeleteNo, it was at the Crêpiot in Saint-Aignan. Walt was there too.
DeleteI remember that lunch at the Crépiot. I don't remember what I ate though!
DeleteThose fields of wheat are graphic perfection! They almost look painted.
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive view of “your” chateau! That wheat field looks more real than real, simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWheat fields with poppies are so lovely. I saw some on my trip and got one good photo. I love windmills also, especially Daudet's in Provence. Travel memories are good for our souls.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Evelyn, about travel memories, and the more the better.
DeleteI am enjoying your trip 'down memory lane' too! Fun times. We all have those memories. Memories are better than material goods - right!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary!
Deletewow what a great castle
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the wheat field is extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteMy French exchange father always told me that allowing poppies to grow with wheat would ruin the wheat. Not sure I believe him.
Are there any restored windmills--with the blades reinstalled--still in France?
chrissoup, the Alphonse Daudet's windmill in Fontvielle has its blades. It doesn't mean it is in working condition!
DeleteThanks, chm. I'm reading Daudet's Lettres de Mon Moulin, which is why I thought of asking!
DeleteI remember seeing a French TV show about the Vendée region where the people in a village were gettin the old windmill into operating condition again. A young woman baker was setting up shop and was going to use the mill to make flour for the breads she wanted to make. I'll see if that video is on YouTube.
DeleteHave a look at all these YouTube videos about moulins in the Vendée.
DeleteHere's the show about the Vendée that I was remembering. It's in the Des Racine et des Ailes series. The segment about the boulangère and the moulin à vent is at the end of the video (two hours), but the earlier segments are interesting too.
Delete