Only one day to go!

 One of the lovely views of a tranquil Loire

Jim has now completed 7 days of his Loire Ride for Esme, so far covering a total of 950 km and gaining 5420 m in elevation. He was helped on his way today by Charlie Pasquiers from Domaine FL. Another long day but finished in time to enjoy a glass of Coteaux d'Ancenis from Brigitte and Bernard at Domaine de la Pléiade, generously offered by our hosts Andrew and Aline Trepass at the lovely Loire Séjours B&B in Ancenis.

Yesterday Jim was supported by Michel Mergot, long-time friend and ex-mayor of Epeigné-les-Bois, who cycled from Bourgueil to meet him. 

Jim and Michel - not far from the finish

 Jim and CRM

We were completely bowled over by the warm reception at Bourgueil, organised by Guillaume Lapaque, Director of Vins de Bourgueil. Many thanks to Guillaume for getting together such a great group of local journalists, winemakers and promoters of Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wines. Many thanks to Ludo Ragot for hosting this event at the Café de la Promenade and creating the great convivial atmosphere. And many thanks for the generous donations to the charities Jim has chosen:

Gustave Roussy 
https://igr.friendraising.eu/jim.budd
Teenage Cancer Trust 
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBudd

Thanks, too, to friends Zosh and Malcolm Wall who cheered Jim on at Montlouis and Noelle and Michael Keating for coming along to support and welcome Jim at Bourgueil.

 Jim speaking to the assembled throng

Jim and Guillaume Lapaque at the Café de la Promenade

 Being quizzed about his super bike

 A final pose with dignitaries and ... a glass of Bourgueil

Bref reportage sur 2014 Vignes, Vins et Randos en Anjou

Some of the vineyards of Chaume

(all rando photos by Michel Mergot)

Delighted to have this brief reportage from one of our occasional correspondents – Michel Mergot – on the 2014 edition of Vignes, Vins et Randos. Michel spent the weekend in Anjou – going on the Chaume randonée on the Saturday and the Brissac l'Aubance on the Sunday: 

Michel Mergot

'Samedi 6 septembre, VVR à Chaume et dimanche 7 à Brissac-Aubance.

Superbes randonnées et dégustations.

J'ai ramené quelques bouteilles.'

 

 

A good turnout for Chaume

Chaume: good to see a crop of wild flowers by the vines

Sunday:

 

Château de Brissac  (above and below)

The walkers setting off

Refreshments 

Santé!: Christophe Daviau (Domaine de Bablut) and 
Jean-Yves Lebreton (Domaine des Rochelles)

I'm delighted that Michel will be joining me for part of my Loire ride. He will be riding with me for part of the étape from Beaugency to Bourgueil on Monday 22nd September. 

Epeigné-les-Bois: Nouveau Conseil – Christian Percevault elu Maire

The new Conseil d'Epeigné-les-Bois

Christian Percevault: Maire d'Epeigné-les-Bois

Le nouveau Conseil Municipal: Christian Percevault – the new Maire, Michel Mergot (the previous Maire) – 1er Maire Adjoint, Pierre Tourlier – 2ème Maire Adjoint et Philippe Gallet – 3ème Maire Adjoint  

Following their election last Sunday (23rd March 2014) on the first round of voting the new Conseil (11 members) met for the first time this morning in the Mairie d'Epeigné-les-Bois.

The meeting started with the election of the new Maire and the three Maires Adjoints – the maximum allowed for a small commune like Epeigné (424 inhabitants - 2009).

Christian Percevault signs in as Maire d'Epeigné-les-Bois 

There were two candidates:Christian Percevault and Philippe Gallet. Christian Percevault was elected on the first ballot with 8 votes to 3 for Philippe Gallet.

Secret ballot as votes are placed in a fireman's helmet

Philippe misunderstands the instructions 

thinking he has to put his head in the helmet not his vote! 

The three Maire-Adjoints were unopposed with Michel Mergot and Pierre Tourlier receiving 11 votes each, while Philippe Gallet had 10 votes with one abstention. Although there are four women on the new Conseil sadly none of them stood for one of these posts.  

Michel Mergot: 1st Deputy Mayor  

Pierre Tourlier: 2nd Deputy Mayor

Philippe Gallet: 3rd Deputy Mayor 

     

The new Conseil gets down to work

**

Time for lunch!

Le Lézard Vert – Epeigné's restaurant 

After the hard work of the morning it's time for lunch@Le Lézard Vert

Menu des Elus:

Couscous Royale 

 

Les desserts:

Tartelette aux framboise maison
ou
North African date pastry

ou  Fondant Chocolate Caramel

ou Crème Brulée

Nacer - le toque@work!

Santé! A toast to la nouvelle equipe!

@Le Lézard Vert (8 Rue de la Fontaine, 

37150 Épeigné-les-Bois Tel: 02.47.23.97.94

 

Catching up with the latest Epeigné news on the net

Epeigné-les-Bois: randonnée pedestre 3rd November

Michel Mergot, Epeigné's maire welcoming 

the walkers at 9am € the Salle des Fêtes 

Epeigné-les-Bois held its 11-kilometre randonnée pedestre this Sunday morning. After heavy rain overnight, we were lucky to have a lovely sunny morning with clear blue sky during the whole of our walk.   

Time for a break but ... where is Jim?

(Pic by Michel Mergot)

 

At the finish:

The first to arrive

 Arrival of the Maire's limo

Big group heading to the finish led by the Prieurs  

 CRM heads in (above and below)

 Duo from Les Bergers

La Nouvelle République's local news hound 

 Muddy CRM – it was a good trip!

Debriefing with Michel Mergot