4/11
– We spent a dreary morning in the city of Tours finding the
Tourism Office (huge but right in the centre) then finding a park
(used a handicapped one in the end) and finding out info about the
area. Got some supplies at the local ALDI store and headed off along
the northern side of the Loire. It was a good choice as we passed
another Troglodyte village (we passed one yesterday too). They
consist of houses built partially or totally into cliffs of sandstone
(we think). Wondered if they bang into their neighbours rooms
sometimes as they dig.... They initially used the cellars they built
for storing their wine, it is known world wide as a wine growing
area. We visited the town of Amboise which is out of a storybook
complete with old stone bridge over the river and Chateau in the
middle of town, lots of the other towns in the Loire Valley follow
that description too but this town more than most. The roads leading
away from the town beside the river were flanked with avenues of
golden trees.
Passing
by Blois (pronounced Blwah) on the other side of the river we headed
for Chambord. The Chateau of Chambord is surrounded by a huge 5440
hectare walled (31km long to keep the game inside) park, the roads
inside the park are national roads still but are paved in red. The
Chateau itself is absolutely amazing, in comparison to its fairly
plainly built 3 lower levels the upper stories are a mess of towers,
turrets and chimneys. Looks like the parents got to design the living
area and the kids the rest. We spent the night in this cool park and
heard pigs rooting about near the car in the night.
5/11
Missed Guy Fawke's Night which isn't celebrated here in France. Rain
only eventuated at night, and it was clear and sunny after Orleans
which was where we said goodbye to the Loire Valley and headed toward
Paris. The countryside became vast and flat, looked very fertile. We
stopped at Chartres so Carol could have a wander around the small old
town centre and famous Notre Dame church (not THE Notre Dame). We
arrived in Versailles just after 6pm in the dark and found a parking
spot close by and went on a recce. The night was warm and everything
was wet but no rain at the moment. We found out from the guard at the
palace parking area that we would be able to park there overnight for
free and be on the spot for the next days tourist activity.
To
see our photos http://cjb.pascoe.net.nz/ (click
on or copy and paste into browser)
