Sunshine

Yes, the sun is shining, but it is still cold and windy.  One would think that the weather would improve as we moved into May on our trip, but we had our warmest weather at the beginning of our sojourn.  Oh well.   We have our suitcases packed and are ready to go home.  It is time.  I need my bed, my shower and my washing machine--and 1 point English muffins in the morning.  We have lots to do to get ready to open and I am ready for the challenge.  We will post more pictures and more comments on our return.   I think for our next European adventure we will rent a gite in several places so we can eat at home and settle into a spot a bit more.  We definitely did not have enough time in Normandy, but the south always calls.   

Normandy, Giverny and home

Left this misty morning for Giverny.  Saw Monet's lovely gardens and home.  Had a somewhat disappointing last meal and are off for Charles deGaulle tomorrow morning.  

We're looking forward to our own bed!   

Normandy

A wonderful day in Normandy.  We took a tour with a WWII buff who really knew his stuff and took us to a number of great spots.  We now need to watch Band of Brothers.  The American cemetary above Omaha beach was truly moving.

Here's our B&B -- a truly outstanding place.

Last Days in Bordeaux

And yes, it kept raining, but with a few sunny patches so we had hope for better weather.  It was great to have Tom with us.  He instilled new energy in our exploring.  Carol de Montrichard, our hostess at La Forge planned some wonderful adventures for us.  On Thursday we visited one of the wineries of Andre Lurton empire.  Had a fantastic tour with an American guide so we could discuss some of the subtilties of the wine making process.   Our tour was followed by a wonderful lunch at a gorgeous winery, hotel, spa and restaurant around the corner (Chateau Haut le Smith).   The first course oysters were subperb and can't remember what we had for the rest, but it was delicious.  Tom G decided he wanted to see the coast (where the oysters came from).  We never really did see the Atlantic, but instead the most enormous sand dune I have ever seen--really like a mountain (200 feet maybe).  The road we were on ran behind the dunes along the coast.  That night C cooked a wonderful dinner of duck breast, apseragus, potatoes, strawberries and of course wonderful wine.  

Friday morning we awoke to more rain.  We had breakfast with Carol and went into Bordeaux to wander around.  Finally after lunch the skies cleared.  Later that  afternoon we went to St. Emilion for a wine tasting and dinner arranged by Carol.  Wonderful as usual.  More oysters for T&C, but none for TG.  

Saturday was beautiful and we spent the day in the car driving from Bordeaux to Caen where we put TG on the train for Paris.  Normandy is fascinating.  More later