la Brocanteuse

Jun 6, 2010

Sunday Brocante

We travelled south east today to visit the Chateauroux monthly brocante....
Along little roads between large patches of trees,mottled green and yellow corn fields, patches of the last red poppies amongst white lace flowers,past huge gates to Chateaux and sign boards to local wineries and Cave..








 road signs to make sure we are aware..... there was a lot of "zig zag" driving..




We saw wild Reindeer next to the woods near a still sleepy village. It took  just under two hours to reach our destination via all this beauty, and we nicknamed our driver (husband) " Mr Bean"  -since even with the help of "Penelopy" (the GPS lady) we still had to do a lot of "u-turns" and reversing once into a field!
 The narrow roads does not allow for uninformed curious brocante searchers to make a gracious turn when needed. 

Finding parking is another obstacle to overcome once arriving at destination, and we did find a good space a  few blocks away right next to an  attractive gold Republique Francaise  sign..



Unfortunately for us, and all sellers and browsers out today, rain came pouring down which continued for at least two hours. Dealers started packing up and by 11 o'clock  most  dealers had left and  browsers dissapeared.
 I'm sure they must be the locals that  know next month all these dealers will be back, or where to find them at another village, another weekend.
I did not mind the rain after yesterday's heat. I kept going ,peeping under the plastic covers that covered the few tables of sellers sitting it out, since it will be a long time for me before I get to visit this brocante again.
One very relaxed seller of religious objets, just poured a glass of wine,   sat next to his table with his black brolly, watching everyone flapping around. Perhaps being in the company of all those objets, just kept him calm and happy.. I loved everything he had on display and left with these..






..another happy lady/seller who had plenty of shelter and did not rush to pack all her goods away, had heaps of linen on trestle tables. Old and new mixed together with florals and one had to dig in. When she saw that I was trying to find the one and only monogrammed anything, she called me to her van, and pulled out a box of what I thought were lenths of old linen edged with beautifull handmade lace. I new immediatly I was onto a good thing and I suppose - not very wisely- did not even unwind the tightly rolled pieces with only the lace exposed- but what I saw was enough for me! Communication was problematic but the love for lace was shared..




When we arrived home and unpacked, we discovered they were all Priest's Albs   and some Coir boy's smocks ! I LOVE them! my daughter claimed a small coir  smock for herself, and I keep on touching them- all different, antique linen, handmade lace and really special...

"Mr Bean" could not resist this LIMOGES Bisque Chopin on blue enamel collumn- on his way to bring the car closer to us girls still browsing in pouring rain.



A most wonderfull day it has been!...

A Bientot

 Colette

18 comments:

La Brocanteuse said...

Trish/Trouvais,
thank you for steering me in the direction of google and "Eclestial Vestment" I will dedicate a post on these Priest Albas once we are back home in Afrique du Sud.The intricate handmade lace needs to be shared in detail..Colette x

Riviera Boardwalk said...

Thank you for sharing a beautiful blog spot. I am battling 4th stage lung cancer and have not felt like posting on my blog spot for some time. My heart is in France even though I will never get to physically experience it. My blogspot is www.rivieraboardwalk.blogspot.com

La Dolfina said...

Bonjour!
I'm here via Trouvais and am thrilled to have you join us in blogland. I look forward to following you on your journey and really loved the beautiful photos Trish posted on your lovely home in South Africa :)
xo

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Welcome! I am so happy that you have decided to keep company with all of us ... via our blogs! It is a wonderful community and I look forward to getting to know you and to sharing our love for beautiful things and decorating! Trish is a wonderful blogging friend and you two certainly have much in common...your elegant taste is the first that comes to mind!
Take care, Laura

A Perfect Gray said...

I am here via Trouvais...Trish has the most beautiful blog and a recommendation from her is pure gold....I look forward to following you...Donna

French-Kissed said...

So grateful to my dear friend Trish for introducing me to your lovely blog and my first visit here has been a delight. Enjoy your adventures in France and I do hope you find everything that you are searching for.

~jermaine~

Gail said...

I am here via Trouvais. You not only dipped your toes in blogland you dove in head first. Beautiful post and I look forward to following your every post. Welcome to Blogland.

Tricia said...

Another excited visitor from Trouvais. Your new home is just amazing and from the images on your side bar I can already tell I'm going to love your blog.
Off to check it out.
Cheers~
T

Sarah Klassen said...

What a wonderful blog you have! I, too, discovered you through Trish and cannot wait to see more... it's been lovely visiting and looking through your posts. I miss France everyday, and am looking forward to seeing and learning more of your experiences. p.s your home is lovely!

Wishing you a great week,

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hi Colette,
First, merci beaucoup for your lovely comment on Trish's blog, the post about "Peonies in a French garden"!

Now, I would like to give you a compliment - The images you've send to Trish which she posted are wonderful. I left a comment and here I repeat myself: 'Perfectly arranged "Imperfection" in - I name it - "Colette's room", the ceiling and beam work with an contemporary touch, the image showing 'a clear line'......

Being in the middle of lime stone's and barn restoration of our old property in the Périgord, dealing with sand and ciment, it lift's me up to have a minute or two to dive into a more "glamorous world" here and there. Will definetly looking your blog as well regularly.
By the way...driving at the French countryside, finding a place, following some kind of signs of 'deviation'or whatever - it's adventurous and ones can get lost easily. At the same time - don't we all discover then something special and unexpected like an untouched countryside and lovely people! And we're still 'allowed' and accepted to be a bit 'naughty' here and there like parking the car "illegaly" or so....
It is just "Le savoire vivre".....!

A bientôt and many greetings from the Périgord - karin

vicki archer said...

Sounds like you ahd the most wonderful time....despite the rain, xv.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Salut...a wonderful rainy experience...beautiful things and laughter and happiness...what more could one ask from life?
Bisous
Ronelle

La Brocanteuse said...

Hi Vicky, thank you for visiting, - I have been a long time reader of your blog. in fact I receive your feed daily,but never good at commenting, so I shall stop admiring from my corner and announce myself!-
yes, did enjoy ourselves and today was even better!!! will post about it soon..
Colx

La Brocanteuse said...

Hello Ronelle!
thank you -
sitting right here in your beautifull Loire-Maison surrounded by inspiration...see you soon. Colx

ProvencePost said...

Hi Trish! I don't know that brocante but I did read an amazing book once that was set in Chateauroux. If you're interested, tell me and I'll fire a few synapses to recall the title! It was wonderful and if I'm not mistaken, a true story. PS: Your blog is looking great!--Julie

Karin said...

Sorry Colette, but I'm not very familiar with "blogging" , still a bit old fashion. So, that's why I was called in my above comment 'Anonymous'. Could not work out entirely how to do it. But now.....my name is Karin

Coriallement xk

La Brocanteuse said...

Hello Karin,
Nice to meet you and thank you for visiting. - no need to explain - believe me I'm still learning about the blogworld as we speak..by the minute!! every post is still nerve wrecking for me..Colx

La Brocanteuse said...

Hello and Welcome: Riviera Boardwalk,La Dolfina, Laura@52 Flea, Gail, Morning T Donna from Perfect Grey,Jermaine- French Kissed, Sarah Klassen...
apologies for not replying sooner,
Thank you for the warm welcome and kind words and compliments. I do feel like Alice (Colette) in Wonderland- nervously excited about this new adventure here with you in Blogland. looking forward getting to know you all and wil visit each blog soon. Love Colette x