Well Viva La France! We are here. Stayed in Lyon for a couple of days. The first day was to recover lost sleep and the second day was to improve the French economy. Somewhat successful on the first, the French were very grateful on the outcome of the second. Nice place, met up with the folks on the boat. About 145 people. Enough to meet new people and listen to their stories, but not so crowded that you can't get around on the boat. Weather is a bit chilly as we sail down the Rhone River. Seems there's a castle on every hillside. Most were in pretty good condition. Others not so much, but...
I thought all were pretty cool and I could see why they were pretty well needed as things could get a little shaky fairly quickly and the associated town didn't provide much protection. A castle with the draw bridge dtawn up was a lot more effective (if somebody was coming to your assistance to break the siege, else....)
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Yes, this winery in Beaujolais has been owned and operated by many (many, many) generations. And...The wine is quite excellent |
The other thing we sought out was French Wine. Down in this neck of the woods (AKA France), the two primary wines are Beaujolais and Viognier . Man are they excellent.
This is a "Wine Tour", we've got a Texas Wine Maker on the cruise with us. We've visited a few winery's and have several more to visit in the next few days. Lots of fun and I have found several wines that I hadn't heard of nor tried up to then, but now am very sold on them.
Lots of wow's from the gang.
Stopping in Touron and tried a couple of wine tasting rooms. Excellent! Mouvedre, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah, oh my goodness! And, paired with French Cooking, out of this world!
Yes, I bought a few bottles and am bringing them home.
On to Arles tomorrow. The gang will then disband and Mrs J and I will jet up to London to visit R3 and his gang. Been a while, looking forward to seeing them again.
Peace out, y'all!
Sounds like a relaxing time especially with so few on the ship, nice. Wine, food and Family Time coming up juvat, you've hit the Trifecta!
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of jokes from French class at school.
ReplyDeleteQ: I say, I say, I say, which cities describe a matelot's trousers?
A: Toulouse and Toulon.
Forgive us, we were young.
**Seems there's a castle on every hillside**
ReplyDeleteImagine a land where things are like that, where spending the capital & labor to build that many castles is just part of life...
You encourage me to go to France, Juvat. Although given the amount of wine I already have, I cannot imagine purchasing "a few more bottles...."
ReplyDelete