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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment