31st May. More old places.

Today we had a quick look Beaulies-les-Loches and took some photos of our accommodation. It is in an incredible old hotel that is comfortable. The gent that is running it understands as much English as we do French but we seem to be managing alright. When we look out our upstairs (stone spiral stairs) window, we have a view of two churches both sides.

Off with Sue and Vince and visited the town of Montresor. From memory it was just a toilet break on the way to the Chateau Chenonceaux on the river Cher. Stopped and there was a large old fort on the hill next to us that looked interesting. Visited the informantion centre and obtained a walking map and went for a delightful walk around the town.

On the way spoke to an English gent who owned one of the smaller houses and got an invite in and had a look inside.

Visited the old fort and had a look inside a large house called Montresor. Fully furnished and left along to walk around inside. Delightful.

Back on the road and soon at the Chateau Chenonceaux. This is the famous on that is built across the river. Probably has more photos taken of it that any other we won't bore you with too many.

Back home for dinner and bed.

30th May. Loches and surrounds.

Today we were off and visited the Chateau of Villandry and it's famous garden. It is the last great chateau to be built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance period. The garden we see today is the result of Joachim Carvallo purchasing the castle in 1906. Well know gardens. A shot of inside the roof of the chateau.

Looks like he has sprung a leak. We definitely got sprung mucking around in one of the Rose arbours by Sue.
a few more shots of the garden.

Getting my tail belted cause it was all getting a bit boring, really how much of the same can you have before enough is enough.

Then it was off to the Royal Fortress of Chinon. Not sure what this was all about now but Joan of Arc has something to do with it as she has with most things over her. She really got around in the days before the combustion engine.

Dinner back in Loches.

29th of May. The Lovely Paris Apartment.

As promised Colette. We stayed in the same apartment as last year. It was close to the metro and all the shops you needed during our stay. Some like the antique fair were too close. The owners Colette and Shalev live upstairs and are very nice and very helpful. This year we also met Eyal and a special thanks to Anna for her help. Maybe we will be luckily enough to see them in Australia one day. The apartment is in the second block from the street. This is the street view and the inner courtyard.

View up the stairs and one of the rear windows.

Lounge (second bedroom) and bedroom (we didn't leave it unmade).

Kitchen and bathroom. I'm pleased to say the toilet was only used for what is should be this year.

29th May. Left Paris heading to Loches.

Collected vehicle and off out of Paris by mid morning. Vince handled the traffic well so no problems and we were away. Very hard to now say where we went and what towns we actually visited and in what order during the next thirteen days. I have a rough idea after viewing the photos but as they were not all downloaded on the day they were taken, some are mixed up. In the back seat we didn't have a map and all directions were handled by the sat nav Karen. This I found out was a real mistake because we didn't have a sense of direction, north, east, south or west, or distance that we had travelled. I should say here that the only conflict in the vehicle would be that machine and it has put me off wanting to own one. Ok at home where you know roughly where you are going but not in a country you don't know unless you are using it to follow a hard copy of a map. To put it in prospective, if we had had an accident neither Annette or I would have known where we were. Not even close. But, I must add for all the times we individually got fed up with her, she gave us as much entertainment, even if most of it was at Vince's expense. I even think he can now see the funny side of most of the locations she tried to send us. We all hear stories about these machines and now I can say most would be true. Our first chateau since Paris.

Travelled for hours and hours until we finally got to our destination for the next three days, Beaulieu-les-loches. Vince wanted to visit the Royal City of Loches, an old castle in the town of Loches, next door.

Loches is an old town and the castle complex is made up of many buildings with a surrounding wall. Common over here. View of the town of Loches.

23rd to 28th May in Paris. Part three.

Out and about again. Walked out of the Metro right into the camera of a film shoot. Have no idea what it was about but they got a good shot of us in the back ground.

Only way I could distract Annette was to point out this chocolate shop otherwise she would have been back and forwards in and out of the metro brushing back her hair in the one manner fashion. (so to speak).

My newish iPad had frozen up so into the apple store to get it fixed. Didn't take long, I just didn't know how to turn it off properly or something like that. Must get Annette to read the instructions soon. Bit like her work she said, the men always think they don't need instructions.

Annette sucked in to taking a photo of this old fellow and his cat. When I asked why, she told me it was so she could remind me of where I could end up if I didn't behave myself.

The girls wanted to visit this big old department store. Well it was big and and I have to say magnificent. Heaven for the girls no doubt. Vince and I soon tired of it and went exploring and found a roof top cafe where you had a pretty good view over Paris.

Annette and I walked to the far end of the railway line. The one rustic way above street level and they have made a garden along the top. At the far end was a big fountain in the middle of the road.

Only made us want to use the loo so off and found one that looked pretty new. I went in first and tried to flush it but couldn't see where or how. A lovely female was speaking to me in French from somewhere but that was useless. Anyway finally managed to open the door and to save a few pennies suggested to Annette that she may as well hop in and told her that I couldn't find how to flush it. Off she goes and shortly after I hear this squeal. And she is back out laughing with wet boots and lower trousers. The door slams shut and lights are flashing and sirens are going off and the out of action sign lights up. What did you do to it I ask. Nothing she says. I went in and all of a sudden the toilet started to disappear back up into the wall then flushes like you wouldn't believe. The voice kept urging me to do something, anything and then water started to gush out all over the floor. I just managed to jump up onto a tiny ledge before the floor was completed covered. Open the door as soon as I could and here I am. A few minutes later it had settled down and was back in action. Moral of the story. Never be in too much of a hurry to use the toilet and do read the instructions which are printed in English right next to the door. Stupids, a self flushing and cleaning toilet.

Back to the apartment along the old train line.

Along the way passed a little rowdy demonstration. Check out the hair do on the gent in the middle. Past a sweet shop and home.

Annette, Sue and Vince then went and had a look around the antique fair which was again being held along the canal. I got dragged back before it closed and a little purchase was made and she now has a pair of gold earrings.

Tomorrow off into the south of France with Sue and Vince for two weeks. It should be interesting. At least we have a tent if we get turfed out.

23rd to 28th May. Week in Paris part two.

More on our week in Paris. We have decided to travel around the south of France with Sue and Vince as the car he has booked will be plenty big enough for our two small packs and Sue's luggage. As expected time was going quickly. Quick trip back to the catacombs fro Vince to get a few more photos. Nearly first in line and by the time it opened the people on the end of the line would be queuing for two hours before they would be allowed in. Back to meet the girls at the Luxembourg gardens. Just a big park really, hot and lots of large gravel areas making it very dusty. Rather unpleasant on the day we visited.

Walked everywhere and this is just a typical view of a Paris street corner. We were looking for somewhere to eat when Sue, bless her soul, commented that that must be a good place to eat as look at the people lining up to get in. Where??????? Surly not where the mannequins are lined up? Yep. Hope she doesn't think she driving on the wrong side of the road with me in the car.

Finally found a small place to eat. Very pleasant off in a side street. What's that? A cellar. Did I get to explore it?

You bet and it looked just as good in it.

Found a bridge full of locks. You first get a lock, write your names on it and then lock it on the bridge with a kiss and throw one of the keys over your shoulder into the water. Yeah, well you can guess can't you. A lock was purchased from a nearby street vendor and the deed was done. Was it just me cause when I had a good look at all the other locks I couldn't see one like ours. I recon the vendor would have it cleaned and back for sale in the morning. But hey, when in Rome, or Paris!!!!!!!

Spotted this double flowered oak leaf hydrangea. Good luck Melita. Expect it in the holding yard when I get back.

Annette dragged me along to the museum of erotica. She said it was only to get Chris a dirty post card!! Ha. Well I took a few photos but there is probable only one I can publish here so here it is.