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

Wednesday night - still raining in Bordeaux

So, it's been raining now -- pretty much constantly -- for the past four days.  What does one do in Bordeaux when it's raining?  Eat, plan eating, drink, and find new things to drink.  We've done a good bit of all four of these.  Visited two town markets (Tuesday, it was Libourne; today it was Creon), did a bit of wine tasting, wine buying, etc.  A high point was a trip to Sauternes where we had lunch at a pleasant little restaurant (Saprien) and drove by the legenday Chateau d'Yquem (where there was no sign, no paving, and no welcome -- the only way we found it was on our GPS.  You can't see much behind the trees and wall.  

We went to the Sauterne wine cooperative and tasted several of the legendary wines.  We could have bought a bottle of 2005 Chateau d'Yquem for 700 euros but demurred.  We did buy a very fine bottle of Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey (according to the lady in the coop, it was "just under" Yquem) which we've been enjoying with dessert.

We picked up Tom Grumbly in Bordeaux -- he'd been at a conference and was able to take off a couple of days and join us.  The weather is supposed to improve (we saw stars this evening -- maybe the sun tomorrow!).  We have touring plans (wine tasting, of course) to St. Emillon and other spots in the area over the next couple of days.  Then we're off for Normandy with Tom, dropping him at Caen to go back to Paris and home.

Maybe we'll have more pics tomorrow in the sunshine.

Bordeaux

Our drive to Bordeaux was long and wet.  The GPS found this very rural place with no trouble and we met our hostess, Carol deMontrechard -- an American expat who married a Frenchman in the early 70s and has run a B&B, raised several kids, and -- now a remarried widow -- continues to run the a touring and B&B business.  We're in a cottage, with a fireplace, kitchen, and living room/bedroom.  Couldn't be nicer.  It rained on and off today.  We spent the morning getting our stuff organized and talking to Carol about what to do in our time here.  Then we went off to the city of Bordeaux,  It rained most of the time, which probably soured our view of the city.  Tomorrow is supposed to be wet as well.  We're planning a trip to market day at a nieghboring town,and then will play it by ear.  I'm sitting in front of the fire writing this missive -- where we finished a great dinner that Carolyn cooked.  But now it's time for bed.   

Burgundy notes

Burgundy was wonderful -- rural, friendly, and beautiful.  Also great wine.  The place we stayed was really spectacular -- very friendly hosts, great dinners with friendly people.  We want to go back already.  

More coming here on meals, wines, etc.