Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Tuesday, October 6th

Greetings!

It's Tuesday, but.since I missed posting Monday's photos you get two days in one. We are still having a complete ball here. We've see even more castles, chateaus, and small river towns than we ever thought possible. The Garmin came back to life, so we're using it as a lifesaver when we're lost, and to try to avoid the toll roads. It still has the points of interest in Paris on it, so we'll see if it helps us appreciate that city even more.

Don't let anyone tell you the French are snobby or rude to foreigners. As far as we can tell, they are very generous, willing to help whenever we appear to need it, and are providing great services. My only complaint is that they creep out a bit too far into traffic at sidestreets.
Tomorrow ends our 3-day stay at Sarlat. We'll be driving to Albi, at the western edge of a large moutainous area on the way down to Provence. We've got 12 days left before we have to be in Paris. Our plan is to spend half of it in Provence, and then pick some small towns between there and Paris. We don't want any long driving days if we can avoid it. Unfortunately, it will result in many one-night hotel rooms. We'll try to alternate between seeing towns in mornings and afternoons. Unless you plan it right, it could end up with arriving and only seeing the tows at 4-7pms (everyone's closing up for family time).

Hope all is well with the ones we love back home. Almost half way through the trip.

Gregory and Pat


To see the photos we took today, click on:
Tuesday, October 6th









Sunday, October 4, 2009

Sunday, October 4th, Sarlat

Greetings!

This photo is all there is today. We drove about 400 kilometers south to Sarlat in the Dordogne Region. This shot will be remembered by Pat as the one that "almost got her killed", as I ptulled the car over on a narrow curve to take it and almost got us hit by the car behind us. I prefer to think his honking was just letting me know he was there, as I jumped out of the driver's side door.

This country is such a fertile land. Everywhere we look, it is growing strong and varied crops and trees. For most of the past two millenium, it has fed the imperial expansions of the west's great civilizations. The German Huns, Celts, Romans, Normans, Moors, British; all invaded and fed their countrymen with its game, crops, and fish. Nowadays, the corn and apples and grapes keep plenty of industries alive.

Tomorrow, we see Lascaux Ii, a duplicate of cave containing 17,000 year old wall paintings which portray bison, deer, and other game. The artistic quality is unbelieveable. I don't think they allow cameras, but I'll download some images from the web if I can find them.


Saturday, October 3, 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009

Friday, Oct 2nd, Chinon

Greetings!

You could not make better salmon or cuddlefish than we had last night. Arranged in flower-petal design and consistency, with purred brocoli and potatoes, Pat's salmon was unreal. My cuddlefish was smothered in two versions of mango sauce, and so tender and juicy. We keep licking out in all aspects of our adventures.

I only wish that we could write more. Access to typeable tools is frustrating. Hopefully, more success at our next hotel.


To see all of the photos we took today, click on:
Friday, Oct 2nd















Thursday, October 1, 2009

Thursday, Oct 1st, Chinon









Greetings!

We've arrived in Chinon, the Royal capital of France in the early 1400's. Charles VII had hidden out during the height of the 100 years war between the British and the French. It took Joan of Arc to knock some sense into him, and inspire his fight to oust the British out of France. The troops and resources, as well as the spirit, came from right here. The statues and street names, as well as town lore, acknowledge that.

We'll ba using Chinon as a base to visit the surrounding area. There are many chateaus, museum, and restaurants where we hope to learn more a bout this culture. We began tonight with a delightful meal at a local place where we were the only patrons all day. The tourist season has ended, and the shops are beginning to close. There will always be some open, but this little one is probably on the cusp of staying open. Nevertheless, the braised duck in white beans, and coq au vin, which Pat and I had, were excellent. Salads, deserts, and local wine were equally high quality.


To see all of the photos we took today, click on:
Thursday, Oct 1st