Thu Sept 7- Day 8 - Tour Day 6 - Scenic Drive Along the Loire Valley

My phone started making noises at 5:54am. Some mobile number calling me. I didn’t answer that. Then the alarm went off at 6am. After showering I took a photo from my rooms window.

I then went down to breakfast just after 7am. A small spread but perfectly adequate. 

We departed for our days activities at 8:30. No late comers on this tour to date.

First up is the optional visit to the Chateau and Gardens of Chenonceau with a local guide.

This is also our lunch stop. 

a view down the avenue

The Chateau keep a few donkeys here.

A lovely formal garden

We started our walk around 10am. Very hot day here and very humid. We had finished our included talk with the local guide, whose name I didn’t catch, by about 11:30. She will also be our guide this afternoon at the next Chateau.

I only wanted a sandwich for lunch so found the little caravan that mainly sells coffee and cold drinks and a sandwich. I bought a bottle of water and a ham & cheese sandwich. Sat and ate it. Christine & Barry from Wellington NZ, joined me for a short while.

After eating, I then went for a walk around the large ornate garden just below the Chateau. After that, I walked back to the meeting area and we were all back on the bus by 12:45 and on our way  to Chateau d’Azay-Le-Rideau.

We arrived there at 1:45. Smaller than the previous Chateau but more interesting I thought.

  

I think the first one had magnificent gardens though.

We had about 3/4 of an hour after the tour finished, so a few of us found an ice cream shop and indulged.

 

We were all back on the bus by 3:30 but unfortunately the middle door wouldn’t close properly, so the bus wasn’t moving anywhere. A safety feature apparently. 

Rudy eventually sorted the problem, enough that we were on our way again but just 50 minutes later than expected.

There is still a fault apparently, so I think we will all be exiting and entering via the front door until the problem is fixed properly.

We arrived back at the hotel shortly before 5:30pm and all disembarked via the front door. At least we know by doing that, the coach will proceed.

Meeting at 7pm in the garden for drinks for the Bon Voyage club and then dinner in the hotel restaurant.

The food was delicious AND the wines. A great night.

Just need to now pack the bags for our journey back to Paris tomorrow.  Breakfast and bags out at 7am and departing at 8am. Fingers crossed that all goes well.

Night all