The Chateau de Chenonceau was built during the Renaissance – a time which followed the horrible plague and the 100 Years War. But….four hours of touring the castle and grounds makes you feel as though you’ve BEEN in the 100 Years War!
No, it was very lovely. Kind of a must do…one big castle, but chosen because the site over the water is splendid and so we tried to catch the luminosity of the water on one side and brighter exterior on the other.
But it really should be left to the pros to catch the grandeur of the castle, acres of fir trees, flower & horticultural gardens, looong foot paths, the XVI Century barns and stable.
Tonight we chose strawberries, cheese and local champagne from the grocery store, making a picnic in our room. Restaurant prices are way too high.
We love driving the car through little villages, farm lands and forests. The round-a-bouts are fun, gearing in and out with the manual. So far only one car has beeped at me, and Eddie is a PRO. I think he’s dreaming of a Maserati on some of these bends.
Still enjoying super weather and friendly people. Today at the castle we heard so many languages one wondered what to say if you bumped into someone, and in the ladies’ room line I got “speaking” with a Russian woman. One thing we linked on right away was that Obama and Medyedev were friends, giving gestures and signs. It was really quite nice!
Tomorrow we’re off early to Normandy, with a stop perhaps in Chartres for lunch. We are so impressed with the modernity and safety of the roads, and took some pictures of the nuclear power stacks (no oil; no gas at all in France. AND, most impressive----the WINDMILLS!!!!!!!!!
Sending you “bisous” on both cheeks.
P.S. May all your artichokes be soft and pretty!!
Bon Jour mon ami!!
ReplyDeleteOoola,la. the grape is ripe and the 'chokes are choking. Never knew they had such a lovely violet flower on top.
Lovely photos of your castle tour. I just finnished
reading, "Camino" about S. MacLaine's pilgrimage along the Santiago de Campostela (Saint without a Head) Camino (way or path) in Spain. Great story! I could see you and I doing this one day. Get your hiking boots on, amiga.
Love to Sir Edward the Great and King of his Castle!!
Abiento!
Dween and Dave
Bonjour to you too, Edwina. What fun to receive your message...and your picture. How does one do that?! So, right now we're finishing a little coffe and on to the town of Rouen, which I already notice has the most beautiful spires from all these special buildings and churches. I think Eddie (who does the posting - me the writing) has not yet posted our trip up here and the excitement of getting lost, and more exciting, getting found. A pretty cute story always fun to recount, AFTER the fact. Love and bisous..L
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