France 2010, Saturday, 11/6

We had just a short stay in Amboise.  Up Saturday for a lovely "French" continental breakfast...love the croissants.
Our first stop was Le Clos Luce, the home of Leonard DeVinci.  If you asked the guys, this was probably their very favorite site.  I agree w/Susan that I need to read a biography of DeVinci's life.  He was a very interesting man. The grounds were beautiful.

 Leonardo's home.  Very modest as compared to many of the other Chateaus we toured.

 There was an ideal picture opt and we all took several.  However, with each others cameras so I didn't get one of everyone.  Hopefully they will all share.

 On the grounds were several models of Leonardo's inventions.  Kat and Jerry couldn't resist.  They were thinking of the grand kids and missing them.

 This is the walk up to Chenonceau.  Once again the fall colors were breathtaking.  It was a little cloudy and cool.

During World War I the gallery was used as a hospital ward; during the Second War it was a means of escaping from the Nazi occupied zone on one side of the River Cher to the "free" Vichy zone on the opposite bank

 All most every room had an arrangement of some kind and they were beautiful.  Isn't this what you have for your fall arrangement in the breakfast area?

Harry and Mary, so sweet.  A little remodeling going on in the background.

Just another beautiful scene.

 There was a maze that we had to walk through which was fun.

 I think Kat looks just like Princess Diana.

Cute pic of Liz

This is my very favorite picture and I love this group of friends.

Left the chateau and headed for Chateau de Sully.  We all needed a break from riding/driving.  This picture cracked me up!  Everyone had their phones out.

We all got settled in our rooms and meet in the lobby before dinner.  The most expensive and long dinner we had. 

France 2010, Friday 11/5

Today we pack up and leave the villa and head towards the Chateau Chambord.  Love having Harry as our navigator.  Chateau Chambord was just your typical hunting lodge (NOT!) with 400+ rooms and 365 bathrooms, typical requirement for men.

 Quite the drive up.

 Chambord is known for it's size, unique architecture with spiral staircases and spirals.

 Every Chateau needs a chapel.

 That was a lot of walking up and down many stairs.

 I really think Mary is having a good time on this trip.  So cute.

On to Amboise which is and hour away to spend the night at hotel Le Manoir Les Minimes.  We had a little problem getting there, took a tour of Amboise.  All is well and oh how the bed felt heavenly!

 The town of Am.boise is quaint.

We dined at L'Amboiserie.  Guess what some of us had for dinner....escargot!

Views from our hotel.



France 2010, Thursday, 11/4

We all took it easy today.  It's our last day at the villa and we were tried from the day before.  Some of us took a long walk in the country side.  What a beautiful place to live.

 As we were walking, this cow (named Michele by us) came running across the pasture to come greet us.  She was so friendly.  When we walked back by, she brought her friends.  Must have been a slow day in the pasture.

 I just loved the narrow windy roads lined with the beautiful trees.  It was a good walk for the soul.  Breathing in the fresh air and viewing all of Gods beauty.

 When some of us returned to the villa, others had found new apps for their phones and comparing.  What would we do without WiFi and our phones. 

 Katherine had prepared a lovely dinner for the evening, boeuf bouguignon, green salad and au gratin potatoes with appetizers before hand.  We spent the evening in conversation, drinking our wine, Bailey's, Amaretto and peach Vodka.  Not always a good combination.

 Good Nite....and good bye La Ferme de la Lochere, in Marigny le Cahouet.

France 2010, Wednesday, 11/3

Another road trip to Beaune for our wine tasting.  KW had recommend a couple of wine tasting tours and we selected Bouchard Pere et Fils.  Our tour guide was Daphne and she was just delightful and lead a very interesting tour.  Fortunately they asked up front if we were "experienced" or "amateurs".

 This facility only houses the wine.  The cave provides the perfect temperature for storing the millions of bottles of wine.  The Bouchard family owns many vineyards all over France. 

 The grounds as you can imagine are beautiful.

 Just one of many Bouchard family homes.

 The Family Crest.

 After tasting 6 very nice wines at 10:00 am we are ready for lunch.  Daphne recommend Le Belena.  Escargot is the speciality for this region so once again several of us ordered escargot and it was delicious.

Not only did we see all the beautiful fall colors, but these mums were breath taking and everywhere.

After lunch we visited the Hospice de Beaaune Hotel-Dieu.  Probably the most famous building and history in Beaune.  Used as a hospital for the poor during the middle ages.  Very happy the medical profession has improved so much.

 Time for more wine tasting.  However the quality is not the same, but neither was the quantity.  We tasted 15 wines here.  Probably the first time I've every poured out wine.  It was fun.  This is the same place the Ingles, Platts, Reeds visited 11 years ago.  We have heard stories about that trip!

 They have barrels stored here instead of wine bottles.

Happy campers to find a bench to sit and relax.

On our way back to the villa we stopped at L'Oree du Bois for dinner.  The restaurant is owned by Steven who is the brother of Katherine Frelon, the owner of the villa.  Some of us had escargot again and crepes.  We were all quite tired and full by the time we arrived back at the villa.  It was a long fun day.