Sunday 15 November 2009

Where does inspiration come from?

Some weeks ago, whilst browsing for ideas for other people for Christmas, I saw a tapestry hanging on a wall on the stairs - I dont remember the subject, but something must have been hatching in the back on my mind.

I love making things - be it knitting, sewing, baking, cooking or people happy.   So browsing the internet one day I said to Simon that I fancied making a tapestry (never done one before.)  Found this in the search and instantly knew what I was looking at, having read about them ( Tracy Chevallier novel, the Lady & the Unicorn).  Simon thought I was off my trolly when I said quite excitedly that I want to do this one and the back ground to it, but I think there's something very relevant, as you can read below.  So come Christmas day, you know what I'll be doing.  The tapestry has arrived and is sitting under the tree.......I can't wait :-)

The lady and the unicorn and is part of a series of tapestries, which were woven in the middle ages.  I believe that these were the first tapestries to be woven, rather than the ones which were sewn and two dimensional pictures.  The artist was commissioned by a noble man  and  these tapestries were found in the late 1800's in a terrible condition in the Castle at Bussac, which is 40 minutes from La Maison Etoile.  The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are among the most beautiful art treasures of the world. They were woven  in the medieval style of mille fleurs, a "thousand flowers." Since 1882 the tapestries have been housed in Paris in the once medieval cloister, the Musée de Cluny. The tapestries represent the six senses — Hearing, Sight, Touch, Smell, Taste, and Love and the artist is believed to have been in love with the daughter of his patron but unable to declare himself. to read the story attached to the tapestries click this link



Sunday 1 November 2009

Surrounding areas - What's to do?

  Chouvingy - A beautiful gorge in the Sioule Valley - with plenty of history - see the Castle built in 1250 by William of Chouvigny.  Subsequently occupied by Trémoille Thouard then for 3 centuries, Lafayette. 
This castle guarded the gateway to the gorge.  Chouvigny stands between Ebruile and Menat - The river Sioule leaves the lake Serviere, on Mont Dore, situated 1200 meters (3937 ft) above sea level.  Rock Climbing is popular in the area.


During the spring and the autumn, the Auvergne is an explosion of colour, with flowers during the spring, fields full of yellow rape during late April, then in the Autumn, the trees are a riot of colour.


There are numerous golf courses in the area  eg :- http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/golf-des-volcans-clermont-ferrand/ 
there are also 3 ski slopes within easy reach, including Super Besse. http://superbesse.sancy.com/ and Mont Dore  http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Massif-Central/Le-Mont-Dore
In addition to all of this, there is of course the natural spectacular of the Puy de Dome.  The Youngest volcano in this chain, last erupted 5760 BC.  See following link for more information.  But be sure not to miss this spectacular:-  http://www.france-for-visitors.com/massif-central/auvergne/puy-de-dome.html 



About us

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Simon works for Sainsbury's as a Department Manager has a multi-million pound turn over annually on his department and works all hours God sends. I am Events Monkey. I call myself that, as my actual title is unknown!! Just responsible for any event, function, conference, meeting etc.,etc., that happens on the campus where I work. I'd be better being called an Events Elephant, as I'm paid peanuts and expected to work all hours known to man. This is the tale of how we decided to take the massive step to living a totally different life. Selling our home in England and moving to a fantastic little village in the Auvergne, including some of our adventures along the way.