La Touche

We thought you’d like to know that Jeremy Taylor was a sell out on his autumn tour of South Africa.  Jeremy sang and ‘raconteured’ to packed houses every night - La Touche is proud to have hosted his warm up gig last summer. (see’events’)

We are hoping for new and different concerts in the summer of 2010 - watch this space!

Filed under: Stop Press on January 19th, 2010 | No Comments »

Around 40 friends and family members braved the blistering August heat to attend La Touche’s most successful soirée to date – an evening with internationally-renowned local resident Jeremy Taylor. British-born Jeremy, who has worked with the likes of Spike Milligan and Fairport Convention’s Dave Swarbrick, heads back to his adopted homeland of South Africa in October for a month-long concert tour, and the La Touche gig gave him a chance to hone his material. Staged in La Touche’s capacious Music Room – which doubles as a games room during the day – the performance was a largely light-hearted look back, in words and music, over Taylor’s apartheid-era experiences. Despite the light-heartedness of many of his songs, their sharply critical undertones meant most were banned by the minority rule regime, and Taylor himself was barred from the country for more than a decade.He’s returned a few times since the regime’s collapse, but October’s Cape Town residency – followed by appearances in Johannesburg, Durban and elsewhere – is the jongleur’s biggest comeback to date, and La Touche made a great “off-Broadway” test-bed. With Peter acting as master of ceremonies, Penny leading a small army of volunteer caterers, and heatwave-induced thirst amply quenched courtesy of Pierre-Jacques Druet, one of the best local wine makers, the evening was an inevitable success. “This is exactly what La Touche is all about,” said guest Bob Papworth, a Bournemouth-based freelance travel journalist, holidaying with his wife Sheron and children Amy, James and Holly.“Bringing people together, to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company, in a beautiful setting and a relaxed atmosphere, with great entertainment into the bargain – what could be better?” The success of the evening event has given Peter food for thought.  “We are already looking ahead to similar events in 2009 and beyond,” he says, “but in the meantime we wish Jeremy every success in South Africa in October.”

Filed under: events on January 19th, 2010 | No Comments »

Sunflowers all around La Touche this summer - it’s always exciting when the local farmers plant sunflowers - it makes us look like a Van Gogh painting!  And this year they have planted sunflowers in many fields all around La Touche.

Filed under: Stop Press on May 17th, 2008 | No Comments »

La Touche would be an excellent venue for both yoga and painting holidays and we would love to put on a week’s study holiday in both subjects.

La Touche is situated in a beautiful and peaceful rural setting that would enhance the necessary relaxation and inspiration for yoga and painting.

We have a yoga teacher and artist waiting for these classes to be arranged. It’s now likely to be in 2009. So if anyone of you is interested in this, please let us know and we will get on with the preparations.

Filed under: classes on April 3rd, 2008 | No Comments »

Whether you’re a connoisseur or a beginner the Loire Valley, and particularly this part of the Loire Valley, has a wealth of excellent and reasonably priced wines just waiting to be tasted.

Vineyards, Local and Not Quite So Local

Visiting vineyards is good fun. Bourgueil, St Nicholas de Bourgueil, Saumur and Saumur Champigny are all AOC wine appellations within very easy driving distance. Vouvray, Montlouis, Layon and perhaps even Sancerre are also within a weekend’s excursion from la Touche. Our favourite ones so far are:

Bourgueil

Pierre-Jacques Druet at Benais to the north east of Bourgueil itself. Ask for a dégustation (tasting). Read more »

Filed under: wine on March 14th, 2008 | No Comments »

Since la Touche was established nearly eight years ago, a tradition is developing of using the Games/Music room as a venue for different kinds of concerts. This is in addition to the regular use by visitors on holiday at La Touche bringing their own music and playing on one of the two pianos – a baby grand and an electronic keyboard. Read more »

Filed under: events on March 3rd, 2008 | 2 Comments »