Ghost Signs in Rennes - magic.

Summer continues to hide itself here in Brittany.

I have laryngitis and a terrible cold too.

So as I sit here feeling tired and fed up 

I was thinking what to show you.

Earlier this week we had to go to Rennes

a wonderful city.

We sat out and had our evening meal

and there across the square surrounded by

medieval buildings was this 

wonderful wall.

I love these old wall adverts - they are just

charming.

The older they get the better they look.

  

We just need others to think they're wonderful too.

I believe that somewhere on the 

internet is a sight that stores these 

wall paintings in photographs.

So if any of you know where it is and what its

called please let me know.

I'm up very early this morning as my coughing is keeping us both awake .
As a consequence I've found that there are many people like me who love
what I have now found are called " Ghost Signs " so I've changed the title
for this post, must say the name adds to their magic.

Gardens at Le Grand Launay, Brittany.

Here are photographs of the garden

at Le Grand Launay.

This an amazing garden which I really like, the house is great too.

Lichen on a huge stone, nature's abstract art.

Love this idea.

The simplicity and colour of this door works so well.



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PS. I forgot to say that the crown like shapes on the poles in a
previous post are
for collecting apples.

A French garden of peace and tranquility.

In my last post there were the photographs 

of everyday objects from the past

arranged to show their simple beauty.

Now to the garden of this wonderful old house.

From the road there is no sign of a garden.

Then you walk through an entrance normally hidden 

behind huge dark blue/grey doors.

Looking back you see the courtyard .

Then into the garden which is symphony of green, dark and light.

All is simple, all is natural, all is beautiful in its peace.

Terracotta pots stand on simple old cobbles.

A simple door in blue/grey letting in the sunshine around its edges.

A copper sphere standing on an old column.

A stone lady sits amongst the green, the dappled light adding to her charm.

I left the garden with such a good feeling, a place to be for peace and quiet.

Still life in a 18th century French out building.

Last weekend was a joy for anyone who loves

gardens and who also loves the sun.

All over Brittany there was sunshine

and many gardens were open.

Some of them only on this special weekend.

On Sunday I went to two gardens that I really like, each one very different.
The first one was in Quintin, a beautiful old town with many really old buildings.

The garden is privately owned but was opened for the weekend.
It is a place of simplicity, peace and quiet.

In this post I'm going to share some photographs of some unusual things
displayed in such a creative way.
Either side of the large gateway into the garden are two simple rooms.
In one was a small exhibition in the other the delights you'll see
in the photographs.

I could have stayed in this space for sometime, so many things to look at and admire.

I really like baskets and have built up quite a collection.
Eventually I'll have to dust off the cobwebs and
then display them when our entrance is finally finished.

I wonder if any of you know what the crown shapes are on the end of  the poles ?
I'll tell you in my next post.

I had pot envy when I saw this beautiful large pot, loved also the idea
of the simply built brick plinth.

The next post will show you what you'll see after you've past this relief on the wall
leading into the garden.

More treasures from the vintage sale.

As promised here are some more photos of things that took my eye last Sunday.

Handmade little silken balls with their own tassels.

A great collection of hats in fact a collection of everything!

Lots of beautiful old ribbons with such subtle colours.
As I look at them now I wish I'd bought some.
What would I do with them ?
Just look at them I suppose like my collection of old buttons.
I'm sure there are some of you out there who know exactly what I mean.

A beautiful collection of old lawn dresses but such horrid hangers !

Below are photographs of lace bobbins, both of them where

on their original pillows.

Just love the old wood and the history of the many times someone has moved them
backwards and forwards.

These patchwork pieces are not old but I did like the colours, subtle.

The last two photographs are pieces of very old Bretton embroidery.
I am struck by the brightness of them, to me they look almost
as if they're from a part of India.

They really are beautiful, normally set against black velvet.
They are very expensive but of course their are collectors
who just love them and want to add to their treasures.