Home Again!

It is Monday morning and between loads of laundry I will finish this us.  We were up at 4:15 AM (French time - 7 hours ahead).  Bags out at 5:15, breakfast and on the bus by 6:15.  Drove to Marsailles (1 hour, 15 minutes).  Picked up our luggage and trudged to the terminal.  We experienced a very strong wind that is common in the area (think hair standing straight up).   Our flight was at 10:30.  While going through Security, I had the usual pat-down which included lifting my sweater and feeling around my waistband.  Then she said to me, "You have toilet paper hanging out of your pants."  OH MY GOD! The French bathroom had no seat on the toilet so I laid down some paper and you can figure out the rest of the story.  I could have died. Our flight to Paris only lasted an hour.  Found Charles DeGaule airport to be large, but easy to find around in.  Lou and Rose Marie had the same schedule so we enjoyed lunch together and then waited until 4:15 for our flight to Chicago.  The two 'ladies' in the row ahead of us on the airplane, immediately reclined their seats and they stayed that way the entire trip---not nice.  Oh well.  We landed safely at 6:00 PM, cleared customs, ran out the front of the terminal to see the Rockford bus pull away from the curb.  Caught the next bus and Nancy met us in Rockford. Thanks for traveling with us.  It is good to be home even though the breakfast selection was pretty slimy compared to what we are accustomed to! 

Saturday in Provence

Today we toured Avignon.  It was a walking tour that took us to the Pope's Palace (largest Gothic building in Europe) which is basically empty.  Must climb 200 steps to see it all.  We passed on that.  Visited a French Market which had the French Holy Trinity: bread, cheese, and wine--also lots of beautiful fruit, vegetables and meats. Enjoyed free samples of olives and pickled garlic.  Did a little souvenir shopping.  This is Provence so many of souvenirs feature lavender (soaps, sachets, etc.), Herbs de Provence (which contains lavender, rosemary, thyme, etc.)Got caught in a shower and darted under an awning.  Chuck gave me his cap and then the shower let up.  Back to the ship for lunch.  Today is packing, We are docked very near the wall of the city so it is great people watching.  Tomorrow we have to have our bags out at 5:15 AM, board the bus at 6:15 AM for our ride to Marsailles.  We fly to Paris and then OHare.
Reflections:  We have found the French people to be quite welcoming.  Beautiful countryside. There are more Roman ruins here than we expected. Great food and wine! Walk, walk, walk on those dratted cobblestones. Should have brought more cotton sweaters. A new law in France requires the ship captains to be French and prohibits non-European crew so most of the crew is Eastern European.  Bullet trains have opened up this area (the Florida of France) to Paris.  It only takes 2 hours, 45 minutes compared to the 6 to 8 hours before.  

Friday in Provence

We are in Chateauneuf du Pape which is very famous for its wine.  There are 8,000 acres in wine production here.  We started by sampling three wines (before 10 am) and two chocolates: one flavored with lavender and one with thyme.  We started with a white wine, and the enjoyed two reds--the last of which sold for $65.00 a bottle.  The best sommelier conducted the wine tasting --we learned a lot. Chuck told me to enjoy it because I would probably never taste it again! The Popes have historically vacationed in this area and we visited the ruins of a castle where they used to vacation (Germans had munitions stored in it and destroyed it before the Americans arrived). We stopped I the village to see a church.  Climbed UP. Hurried because the ship was to depart at 12:30 PM.  Got back to the bus and waited 15 minutes for some women who were shopping.  We had at least a minute to spare when we got back to the ship.  Sailing, lunch, went through a lock and docked at Avignon.  We went on a tour of the soaring Pont du Gard, a three-tiered Roman aqueduct.  Chuck climbed the 88 steps to the very top.  I took a long walk over the bridge and saw the aqueduct from below.  We were gone the same time.  Then we went through the Museum.  Got back in time for the Disembarkation talk.  Had our choice of Lobster or Veal Tenderloin for dinner. Baked Alaska for dessert.
The Internet has been very intermittent.  I write on a document and paste on to the blog when we have service.  Sometimes it looks like it didn't work when it really is just taking its sweet time --hence, how the same blog appears twice.
In France, items are named for their place of origin and the same item cannot be named that if it is made elsewhere. Examples:  Camembert cheese is made in Camembert. Dijon mustard is made in Dijon.  Champagne is made in Champagne.  Other sparkling wine may taste like champagne to you, but it is't champagne unless it is made in Champagne! 

UP to the Cathedral

Around 1 am, we arrived in Viviers which is a small, quiet village.  When we started our walking tour, we could see the Cathedral high above us on a cliff.  We walked down a promenade from the ship with trees on either side to village.  Our guide pointed out different architectural features and we wound our way UP and through the town.  We soon arrived at the doors of the cathedral where an organist awaited us.  This cathedral is 1/8 the size of Notre Dames in Paris.  The guide said that the cathedral had been on that spot since 450 AD. Of course, he added, the first one burned, rebuilt, second one .., third one.. The current one was built in 12th century with additions and subtractions since.  The organist played a short concert and then we started our steep, circuitous route down the hill. (Taxis rides were available for those less-sturdy souls.) As we neared the ship, the cruise director met us with a small drink of anise-flavored liqueur.  Then we were invited to try our hand at a game of pétanque --similar to Bocce ball but played with smaller balls and on a gravel field.  Shortly after noon, we set sail again.  This afternoon, we passed through several locks including a 75' one --the biggest on the Rhone.  Forgot to mention that yesterday we could see the Alps in the distance.  We have docked at Chateauneuf du Pape.

Wednesday - April 20

This morning was bright and sunny.  We started with a tour of the city of Vienne.  Vienne has many Roman ruins including an old Roman road complete with ruts left by the chariots, a Roman temple and a Roman theater.  There is also a Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral which was HUGE.  There were many shops, pastry shops, chocolate shops, etc.  Flowers were everywhere. It was easy to find around:  if you were going downhill, you were headed to the ship.  If you were going to the church on top the hill, you were headed away from the ship. We returned to the ship early and left by 12:15.  While dining, we could see that the ship was starting to sail.  We have sailed through the French countryside and gone through many locks.  This afternoon the Cruise Director, Ana, and her assistant, Maya did a bit of impersonation (French chefs) and entertained us with a tasting of the Holy Trinity (cheeses of France, bread and wine).  Tonight we had dinner while still sailing.  Entertainment will be by the crew. Comment about the show:  Funny if you like stand-up comics and old jokes.  

Tuesday in Vienne

The evening usually starts with a cocktail hour and announcements about the next day.  Last night, Ana, the cruise director asked us to be very quiet because there had been a change in plans.  The crowd quieted down.  She told us there was a dire forecast for high water and that instead of spending the night in Lyon, we were leaving immediately and we did.  There is always the fear that we can't squeeze under the bridge and will be stuck in one spot for the rest of the week.  We sailed during dinner and arrived in Vienne one day early.  Had dinner with a delightful couple from Connecticut, Karl and Joy and a couple from Springfield, IL, Rosemarie and Lou.  It was Lou's birthday last night so the crew marched into the dining room with hullabaloo and presented him with a cake --for his 85th birthday.  Fun to be included in the celebration.  During the night I started to not feel well. Despite the Pepto Bismol, I suffered from the rumble-gut-whizzes and skipped the morning tour to a Medieval village of Perouges.  Chuck reported that it had cobblestones that were very difficult to walk on, but was very interesting. They sampled the town's favorite pastry --galette--described as a huge pizza topped with sugar--lots of sugar.  I was feeling better by the time he returned for lunch.  Then we saw a demonstration of a chef making Creme Brûlée.  Also heard one of the French guides talk about France today.  Forgot to mention that today is sunny with no rain --just right for walking around the village before dinner.
Later:  OK, so now you know:  we were invited to sit at the Captain's table tonight.  It was the Captain's Dinner.  The Captain is BIG, young, and know very little English so basically he smiles and nods his head.  Usually someone is at his elbow to interpret.  It started off with a champagne toast in the library before dinner and then we proceeded to the dining room.  Dinner included foie gras, escargot, sorbet, chateaubriand, and Creme Bruelle.  Of course, everyone in the dining room had the same menu. What a fun experience!

Monday in Lyon

We are still docked in Lyon along with five other river cruising boats.  In fact one is right along side us which was a little surprising this morning when I opened our drapes and looked right into someone's cabin.  Closed the drapes in a hurry.
We have found quite a few very interesting people on this cruise.  Last night was a good example.  We ate with two other couples: one from Pennsylvania and one from Connecticut.  Everyone ordered rack of lamb for the entree.  However, several also wanted the Eggplant Parmigan (sounds like Chuck, right?) So they brought us a plate of Eggplant which we all shared.  It was all delicious.  Dessert was crepes Suzette.  --another treat.   The after dinner entertainment was an accordion player.  He refused to play an polkas because that is what is always expected of an accordion player.  Played a very nice selection and some people even danced.
This morning we had a city tour of Lyon.  It was cold and rainy (tee shirt, long sleeve shirt, cardigan, and lined raincoat with hood).  Our first stop was the basilica which stands high on a hill and is visible from a long ways.  It was huge and very ornately decorated --lots of gold,  mosaics, statuary, etc.  Our bus took us to other places but ended in Old Town.  It was filled with restaurants with plenty of outside seating which didn't look like much fun in the rain.  Also some shopping and then back to the boat and lunch.  During a dry time this afternoon, we went for a walk along the river.

Sunday in Lyon

Yesterday afternoon we continued down the Soane River--journeying through Burgundy for the last time. The water was high so the captain was very concerned about the low bridges.  At the confluence of the Soane and Rhone Rivers, we turned into the Rhone.  It was dinner time and getting dark when we pulled into the city of Lyon--beautiful. The city's architecture is very similar to Paris.  We are parked in the heart of the city near two other river boats.
Today we set out to explore Beaujolais, a scenic wine region known for its vibrant, fruity red wines.  We visited a Beaujolais museum that explained in detail the making of this wine that is only available  November through March each year which means that we did not taste any! We did see a 10 minute I Max film which explained pollination by.superimposing two bees flying over the French countryside. While watching this fast-moving film, we were standing in a 'tilt-a-whirl' box that moved back and forth etc (think DisneyWorld)--would not be good if you were prone to carsickness. Drove back through the countryside and lunch on the boat.  Although we are in the middle of the city, shops are closed (Sunday) and it rains from time to time so it is a lazy day.
Wanted to add something to yesterday's blog.  As we approached the castle, someone spotted a large stork nest high on the roof of the castle.  Then the stork popped its head up and looked around.  Soon the stork flew off.  Did she have little ones in that nest? --we all wondered.  

Saturday with goats and a castle

Trying to blog has been very frustrating.  We have enough wireless power to receive and send Emails, but not enough to blog.  I am writing on a document and will send later (said she optimistically).  I think part of the issue is related to the fact that the river is high and the antenna and other high objects have been moved so we will fit under bridges.  River cruises are at the whim of Mother Nature.  Last fall the Danube was low due to low rainfall and that caused us to not be able to go to the Black Sea.  This spring the river is high due to spring rains and we are making adjustments.
Last night after dinner, we were entertained by three musicians who played a selection of classical music-very enjoyable despite getting whiplash from falling asleep several times. Today (Saturday) we boarded our bus and left Tournus by 8:30 AM.  There are about 160 on the boat so we are usually divided into four groups and are scheduled such that there are never two buses at any one point in the trip at the same time. We drove through the French countryside to a goat farm.  Spring here is beautiful with everything blooming at once.  I have never seen forsythia and iris blooming at the same time.  The goat farm was idyllic with 140 goat nannies.  We were greeted by the dog who did not want to let us in the barn. Some of the goats had given birth as early as February while others were yet to deliver.  They were all in one barn laying down on straw and occasionally getting up to munch hay.  They were brown, very quiet, and friendly. We met the farmer who had started this operation from scratch in the 90's.  Also visited the cheese making operation and tasted the goat cheese and the Chardonnay that was made within a couple miles of the farm.  Back to the bus and on our next destination:  Castle Cormatin was built in 16th century.  In the 1980's three investors had purchased it and worked on restoring it to it's original state, complete with intricate paintings and lots of gold leaf.  The landscaping was impressive with a kitchen garden, formal garden, and labyrinth.  Back to the bus and on to Macon where the boat had sailed during the morning.  

Friday in Burgundy

Yesterday we boarded the River Discovery II at Chalon-sur-Saone.  This morning we took a bus to Beaune which is in the heart of Burgundy.  We stopped to look at some vineyards and learned about the locations of the vines vs. quality.  In Beaune we visited Hotel-Dieu, a hospital that was established in 1400s and is famous for its patterned tile roof and that it actually operated for 500 years.  We also ventured down into a wine cellar and tasted five wines from Burgundy. A little shopping and then back to the bus for a snooze and ride to the boat.  After lunch, the boat turned around and headed south.  Went through a lock before docking at Tournus.  Chuck and I walked around in the light rain.  While exploring we discovered that most of the vacant storefronts, have murals in the Windows.  The murals are of different kinds of shops:  bookstores,
Toyshop, clothing store, fitness center, restaurant, etc..  The murals were clever and better to look at than empty storefronts.  Well, it is time for dinner.  Will close for now.

Traveling and embarking on River Discovery II

We have arrived.  We are bone weary and cultivating a 'go-with-the-flow' attitude.  Dave took us to the airport.  We flew from Chicago OHare to Schipol Airport in Amsterdam.  After landing in Amsterdam, we finally found customs but then took a wrong turn, had to go through security again, found the gate for our departure, but it had been changed to another gate, went to that gate, but it had been changed to a third gate.  It was like a wild scavenger hunt, but we did eventually find our flight to Lyon.  Met our bus at Lyon, waited another hour for stragglers from other flights, then traveled almost two hours north to our boat.  The highlight was traveling through the French countryside: it is a patchwork of dark green (wheat) fields, plowed fields, and bright yellow-green fields of canola/mustard.  Saw herds of Charlois cattle and Herefords.  Saw vineyards.  Many red tiled roofs.  The trees are just starting to leaf out.  Many trees were in blossom, too.  It was a nice, warm, sunny day and that makes everything better.  By now, we have had dinner and wine.  Time to get some sleep.  Just wanted to let you know that we have arrived!