A bit of a sleepless night with my ankle and foot pain. I've decided that eating so much asparagus is taking its toll on me with my gout inflammation issues. OK - no more asparagus, mushrooms, and red meat for a while. The anti-inflammation drugs helped a bit but still uncomfortable. At least I can walk still!
We had breakfast with Florence and Philippe. They have a full house again - 4 other French families but one woman spent a year at Longwood College, near where I went to college. We finished packing, bid a fond farewell to Florence and Philippe, loaded up the car, and headed out to Loches.
Philippe and Florence Martinez - our hosts at Les Beaunais - beautiful people and so accommodating
We are going to go to the B&B in Loches first and drop off the wine so it won't be in the hot car today as it is supposed to be up in the 80's again. Tim wants to make sure that his 1965 Vovray is kept in good conditions. Unfortunately, as we drove on my right ankle got worse - much worse - and I'm having trouble walking.
We arrived in Loches and as Jerome had warned us the city was almost completely blocked off for the antiques market so we couldn't take the luggage to the B&B. He had advised us to park at the "gare" and he'd help us bring the luggage to the B&B. Ends up the gare is all of the way across town from the B&B. Tim was mostly concerned about the wine - mostly, his 50 year old bottle of wine - and we didn't want to leave these in the car while we toured.
So I sat with the car and he carried the 3 boxes of wine (let's see - 9 bottles left?) to the B&B, but alas, no one was home. So we tried to drive closer and found a parking spot nearer at a church just around the corner from the B&B. I called Jerome and he told me that he would meet us at the B&B to drop off the wine. At this point Tim is not a happy camper. We decided to drop off the luggage too so Tim carried that to the B&B while I waited since my foot is getting worse. Uh oh!
While Tim was taking the luggage he got us a better room with a dressing room and a real shower rather than a tub. Way to go Tim!
We ate lunch at the Café des Arts in Loches - good light lunch with a bottle of wine - we needed it.
Then off to Chenonceau we went.
It was about a 30 minute drive. We arrived at the parking lot and it looked like Disney World - thousands of people and cars everywhere. Jerome tells us that they bring buses from Paris each day with lots of Chinese and Japanese people. They stay at Chenonceau just for the day! A long way from Paris.
We left the chateau and went to the Bateaux and waited for the boat ride on the river Cher by the chateau. It was perfect. Emilie had given us 3 choices - visit the chateau, a walk by the river to see it from the other side (not possible with my foot and ankle), or the boat ride. The boat ride won and I couldn't have been happier since I didn't have to walk. Chenonceau was beautiful by boat.
The bateau to see Chenonceau by water on the River Cher
One of the locks on the River Cher to make it more navigable for small boats
Several small waterfalls along the river
The tour guide spoke only in French but she gave us a card in English - approaching Chenonceau
A magnificent castle - Chenonceau
Many people were either swimming, fishing, or kayaking in the River Cher. Also many people walking along the river banks.
The River Cher as seen from the bateau
Leaving Chenonceau by boat heading back to the landing area upstream
Our new favorite picture - on the bateau with Chenonceau in the distance - this is heaven!
About 7:15 Tim asked me if I was up for dinner. I had slept a good bit and the medicine had reduced the swelling in my ankle but I was so tired from the medication and sore. But off we went to Gentille for dinner at Clos du Joanne. Jerome had made a reservation and she was open even though it was Sunday and tomorrow is a holiday (another one!). She was expecting us and we ate in the garden. We only ordered a main course and dessert with a bottle of white Chinon Vouvray. She was so pleasant and the fish and desserts we ordered were excellent.
We got back to Closerie Saint Jacques about 11. We opened all of the windows and drapes - and went to bed - it was HOT - no AC that we are used to. And not much breeze. We opened the doors to the room across the hall from ours and got a little breeze. A huge thunderstorm came through and cooled things off a bit. Then we slept. Tim heard people singing and partying during the night. Monday is YET ANOTHER French holiday - the third one since we have been in France.
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