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Great Things Every Woman Need To Remember You are stylish, beautiful, creative, nurturing, able to do anything you put your mind to, one of a kind, somebody’s hero and so much more.

[sparklemiranda]

I have found such joy in things that fill

My quiet days - a curtain’s blowing grace,

A growing plant upon a window sill,

A rose fresh-cut and placed within a vase,

A table cleared, a lamp beside a chair.

And books I long have loved beside me there.

Author Unknown

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Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin Part Five

The Guardroom or Games Room  The panelling dates back to the 17th century.  You can play any games or the piano.  The Lowendral Bedroom  This is a magnificent 18th century ceremonial room.  The chimney goes back to Louis XV, as well as the inlaid writing desk on its left and there is an early 18th century portrait of Princess Palatine above.  In the centre of the room stands an exceptional gaming table surrounded by four armchairs, facing the bed, all of them from the times of Louis XVI.

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Chateau de la Ferte Saint-Aubin Part 4.  The Dining Room.  In the 17th century, this was an antechamber.  The chequered floor dates back to this period, and curiously the white tiles in Burgundy stone have been worn off over 4 centuries while the black marble tiles have not been damaged at all.  The panelling dates back to Louis XVI.  There is an 18th century chandelier out of Bohemia crystal. The Kitchen.  It was entirely restored in 1995 from an archives document from the 18th century.  Everything is there, and in working order too: 18th century roasting spit, stone stove to boil vegetables and fruits using coal from the chimney, fish tank where fish was kept alive, the bracket for game animals and cutting table. On the long work surface is a collection of copperware and copper utensils.

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The one who masters the grey everyday is a hero

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821 - 1881)

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Chateau de la Ferte Saint-Aubin  Part 3 The Bathroom And  Countess O'Gorman's Bedroom  The paneling, floor and chimneys date back to Louis XV.  The room was originally that of Marshal Lowendal, before Countess Sixte O'Gorman used it in the early 20th century.  It has a small inlaid bookcase in the Louis XV style containing rare 18th century books.  There is a beautiful bed from the time of Louis XV.

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Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin.  Part 2.

The Sitting Room.  The paneling, floor and chimney date back to Louis XVI (late 18th century).  The room includes an 18th century Persian carpet, a pair of gilded wooden consoles and furniture covered in Aubusson tapestries dating back to Louis XVI.  The large mirror on the left has a medallion portrait of Marshal de la Ferte Senectere painted in 1670, with a portrait of Duchess de la Ferte Senectere, his second wife, painted by Mignard in the 17th century, facing it on the mirror above the chimney.The Billiard Room.  This room was entirely redecorated by the O'Gormans around 1911.  It had originally been a bedroom with 18th century paneling.  The room has a beautiful set of neo-gothic furniture brought back from Britain by the O'Gormans, each piece featuring their arms and motto.  The billiard table comes from the Chevillottess in Orleans.

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Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin. Part 1.

My favourite castle of all time.  A magical place, a place of remembrance and a lively place!  A truly pleasurable moment.  Numerous different families lived here until the late 16th century, when the castle and surrounding gardens were inherited by the Saint Nectaires, who later changed their name to La Ferte Senectere.  Henri II de la Ferte Senectere was marshal of France.  Though he didn't finish building the castle, he had the two magnificent stables built in 1681.  In 1746, the castle was sold to Woldemar, Count of Lowendal.  The castle was owned by many different people, until the O'Gorman family brought it in 1911.  The castle was passed on and inherited until 1987, when it came to its present owner, Mr Jacques Guyot, who opened it to the public.

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‘The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of Right just before you.  Do not grasp at  the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.’

Robert Louis Stevenson  (1850 - 1894)

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Frosty Mornings

The winter garden has striking shapes and textures.  Frost has a magical effect on objects, producing sparkling highlights and striking patterns.

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The day has been long boxed in by glass and concrete deafening with sound, the mind lost among a thousand minds.  Step into the scent of evening, the hush of the leaves, the touch of blossom.  The garden gives you back your life.

Pam Brown 1928

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For me, whizzing down the road to South Of France at 70 mph, taking a photo through the window screen is not an easy task to do.  “The scenery looks lovely, must take a photo.  Quick before we drive past.” Grab my camera, adjust the camera settings, press the button.  Alas I have the memories of whizzing down South Of France to attend a friend’s funeral.  Yep did get there on time.

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Pomperols Festival, South Of France.  The enthusiastic spectators, eclectic range of weird and wonderful activities combine to create a vibrant, theatrical visual experience and a wealth of photo opportunities.

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Pomperols Festival, South Of France. Festivals is about the eclectic range of weird and wonderful activities.

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South Of France Festival Pomporols summer festival aren’t just about looking at the performers - the enthusiastic spectators create a wealth of photo opportunities.

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Every year me and my family go to The South Of France.  In August every year the local villages hold their own festivals.  Two years running now Pomerols, village in South Of France, didn't have their own festival.  A pity as the festival is entertaining and enjoyable to watch.  However I was able to take images of the Festival Des Animaux Toteniques 2019!

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Always we hope someone else has the answer.  Some other place will be better, some other time it will all turn out well.  This is it.  No one else has the answer.  No other place will be better, and it has already turned out.  At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want

Lao Tzu, From  “Tao Te Ching”