That ruddy shelduck...

*** Thanks to Tim Ford from Aigronne Valley Wildlife  for sorting out my sloppy identification and pointing out the difference between a ruddy duck and a ruddy shelduck.

Apologies to Tim B for not listening when he clearly told me that it was a ruddy shelduck! ***

We wandered around the old farm buildings at Chenonceau and were entertained by the ducks around the duck pond.

There were some beautiful mandarin ducks posing on the rocks.

It was great fun to watch the ruddy shelduck chase the bar headed goose.This happened not just once, but four times in the few minutes we stood to watch. The ruddy shelduck would chase the goose to the far end of the pond, at which point the goose would 'give the duck the slip', paddle back to the shallows and climb on to the nesting area. This would be spotted by the ruddy shelduck who would paddle like mad back to the nesting area. It would then make a honking noise to chase the goose back to the far end of the pond. The whole game of chase would start again!

Simple things and all that...

A flying visit, but without the flight ...

Our friends are now back in Holland following their flying visit to Le Pré Vert. Actually, after travelling a total of 1800 km by car to spend three nights and two full days with us, I think they wish they had flown!

On Monday we decided on a visit to the Château de Chenonceau. We first met nearly 22 years ago at Le Moulin Fort,  a camp site just along the river Cher from the château, when our children were small. The visit was to bring back memories of happy times.

Gaynor with Sally and Erna.

More about the château and especially the stunning floral arrangements to follow. The best shots are on Tim's camera ...