Sunset after the Storm..

We are very fortunate to witness some of the most amazing sunsets. The cloud formation last night after our thunderstorm, was changing by the minute, it was lovely seeing new shapes and colours forming in front of you. The warm colour tones and the dark clouds, making the sky turn into a piece of art.

Why we get a Red sky at night..

The red colour of the clouds is caused by the scattering of the sunlight by the different constituents of the atmosphere. The air molecules scatter the blue light more effectively then the red part of the sunlight. This causes the orange colour of the setting or rising sun, but to generate an intensively red sky, there also have to be lots of water droplets in the air, not only water droplets but also dust particles can contribute to colourful twilight effects.

Otherwise known as Raleigh Scattering...

Red sky at night Shepherd's delight, Red sky in the morning, Shepherds warning....

Circuit-des-Remparts D' Angloulême..2013

http://www.circuit-des-remparts.com/index-id_page-6-lang-uk.html

This spectacular array of classic and modern cars, drove their way through the beautiful village of Verteuil sur Charente. It was a glorious sunny day, and it attracted an amazing amount of people to come and cheer them along. The cars were immaculate, they shone and gleamed in the sunlight. Old to young, they all seemed to be having a fabulous fun day.

The circuit-des-Remparts first race was in 1939.



Some photos of our nostalgic day out..

We will certainly be putting this in our Diary for next year...




This is the History of Circuit-des-Remparts...

• 1939Amongst the competitors in that first edition of the Circuit des Remparts were some of the greatest drivers of the time: Jean-Pierre WIMILLE, Roger LOYER, Maurice TRINTIGNANT and Raymond SOMMER who won driving an Alfa Romeo.
The Second World War meant that the next edition could not take place for another eight years.

• 1947
Two car makers raced that year in their own designs: Amédée GORDINI, known as « le Sorcier » (the wizard), driving a Simca Gordini while René BONNET was at the wheel of his D.B which had Citroën front wheel drive mechanics.
However, it was another engineering genius, Eugene MARTIN, who claimed victory in his modified Frazer Nash.

• 1949Ferrari was now on the scene and after only two years this young Italian name already had a strong reputation as a winner, especially after  its victory  at the A.C.F Reims Grand Prix the year before. Two cars raced, a 166 Inter and a 166 F2, driven by DUDLEY-FOLLAND and the Count STERZI. However, Maurice TRINTIGNANT, at the wheel of a Simca Gordini, beat Count STERZI after he had to retire with the Ferraris broken engine having completed only 300 metres of the race. Second place went to Robert MANZIN who was also in a Simca Gordini.

• 1950
After his easy victory with a Maserati 4 CLT Fangio's career was off to a lightning start. His friend and compatriot GONZALES came third and the second place went to SIMON in a Simca Gordini.

• 1951
18 Formula 2 competitors went in the race in 7 different makes. There were two 40 lap qualification races and an 80 lap final. FISHER walked away with the victory in a Ferrari F2 well ahead of MANZON, SIMON and TRINTIGNANT in their Simca Gordinis. Second place went to MACKLIN in an H.W.M. just ahead of AUNAUD in his surprising D.B Panhard, which despite its small engine and torrential rain had outclassed many of the more powerful cars.

• 1955Possibly because four years earlier AUNAUD had shown he could give the big F 2's a run for their money, there were two grids this year; one of Monomills and the other of Special Sports Barchettas with Panhard or Renault engines. SAVARY won the first race and CARLUS the second. Sadly 1955 was the last year  the Circuit was to be used for true automobile races.

• 1978
The Circuit des Remparts was revived from its ashes supported by none other than Juan FANGIO himself.

• 1983The Circuit des Remparts was re-homologated and since then it has become an unmissable event for all historic automobile fanatics.

• 2008/2009
The anniversary years: 2008 celebrated thirty years of revival by the ACOCRA and 2009 was the seventieth anniversary of the Circuit des Remparts event.

A little bit of indulgence.. La Grange-aux-Oies.

Yesterday we had a "little bit of indulgence" we were celebrating our Wedding Anniversary and thought we would visit our favourite restaurant for a delicious lunch in a superb setting, in fact breathtaking. We have been to this restaurant many times before, and they always produce something excellent, with its exquisite cuisine and presentation.

It was a glorious, sunny warm day with an amazing Masuri blue sky and not even a cloud to break up that blank canvas of colour. Our table was situated overlooking the amazing Château, standing proud in its well manicured gardens..

We stayed in this beautiful Château for Valentines night, after out delicious meal in La grange. Here is my link, reference to our stay..

http://www.myruralfrenchlife.blogspot.fr/2013/02/valentines-day.html

Pumpkins in the garden

View from our table

La grange-aux-oies, it is a converted Goose barn, reflecting in it's name. It has a very modern but rustic ambience. I love the colour scheme the restaurant has taken, making the restaurant, very alive and welcoming, with it's very modern touches.

Food at La Grange, is second to none, delicious, exquisite, and to die for, the presentation alone, is very pleasing to the eye, and sends a message to your taste buds that you are going to enjoy this. The hard work that Pascal, Chef de cuisine Maître Restauranteur, and his staff put into this presentation, reflects in its popularity, and it is always full.....so booking in advance is a must.

Patrice , Maître d'hôtel-Maître Sommelier gives you a very warm welcome and is very attentive. His attention to detail does not go unrecognised, he ensures that your stay at his restaurant is a memorable one, and that he does very well, hence we go back again and again...

We have already booked in for our Christmas Day lunch.....   Bon appétit..


This is the website for a memorable experience..

http://www.grange-aux-oies.com/