amboise

Thursday was a travel day. We caught the 1100 TGV from Bordeaux to Tours, then a 1½ hour wait for the 10min express to Amboise. Picked up the car – now where did Sue say she left it? Rue Tue la Soif goes across the cliff at about 30%. At the bottom it comes onto the main road at the village at an angle near a blind corner with mirrors. The council has decided to move the intersection back a bit which means a very steep start. Neighbours who have to get their trucks laden with grapes in for pressing have complained. When we came past the Tuesday garbage had not been picked up. We turned on the water and check the water level in the dehumidifier. The humidity is 45% no wonder the level is low. We found a bottle of Chateau Moncontour left for us. Drinks on the terrace and watch for balloons.

We went to Amboise so Hilary could buy some special cake tins – rubber with steel particles inside so the “tins” get hotter and the cakes crisp. Firstly though, a visit to Patisserie Gerard for coffee and cakes – and 10 minutes to decide which cake. Afterwards in “un Coin de France” we discussed cake tins and watched a video about the product.

Later we went to the hypermarket – a whole row of yoghurt, at least 8 different kinds of tomato, to get meat for Saturday. Hilary wanted to make Navarin – a lamb dish, however the lamb shoulders were only partially boned and we didn't relish tackling that. So change to beef and rethink the recipe.

Jean Claude and Geoff had an in depth discussion on how to get a buoy with data collection equipment and cable out of two metres of ice in the Arctic. The only electricity available is a low powered portable generator. A twin otter plane [with ice skis for landing] at a rental of 1000€ an hour flying time, may have to be hired from Canada.

We all enjoyed a day at the garden festival at Château de Chaumont sur Loire. A small part of the domain is divided into 30 garden rooms with hedges. Each designer fills the room with plants and installations according to the theme of the year. We saw stunning garden beds, went through a tunnel of noises, climbed small hills, admired gazebos and wondered what we could do in our gardens.

Sue & Hilary went to a vide grenier – literally attic clearance. We thought it would be a small affair in a tiny village but it was huge. People hired spaces along the street and we reluctantly left after two hours. Hilary bought a small dish for 30 centimes. Sue's nephews had complained she didn't have a fondue pot so bought a cast iron one.

Jean Claude & Geoff replaced the suspension cord in the parasol and nailed boards to the eaves to stops ferrets from running about in the roof space causing havoc with the insulation and wiring.

We sat on the terrace end enjoyed a long lunch of barbecued gigot/leg of lamb, beans and salads prepared by Jean Claude.

We caught the late afternoon train to Paris.