Thursday 7 July 2016

Back from the Loire Valley in France.

 We have had a week in the Loire Valley in France.The weather was mixed,a bit of rain and then temperatures at 35 degrees making it very hot and humid.As a result out came all the bugs!!I got bitten quite badly and ended up,when back home, on a course of antibiotics as the bites were infected.Not very pleasant.The antibiotics made me feel sick so I have been feeling a bit out of sorts.I finish the tablets today and feel much better.
This is the cottage we stayed in and it was very nice.We reckon we have stayed in at least 23 gites(cottages) in France over the years and this was one of the best.It was in a small village which had a bar/restaurant and also a small shop.There were lots of empty shelves in the shop but they did sell bread and milk.
 We were a 10 minute drive into Amboise and this the chateau that we visited.During the 15 and 16th centuriesit was a favourite residence of French kings.In 1516 Francis the first invited Leonardo Da Vinci to visit.He ended his days here and is buried here.
 Statue of LeonardoDa Vinci
 The chapel where he is buried.
Another day we went to the Chaumont Garden Festival held in the grounds of the chateau.This is an international festival and is an annual event.The gardens are on display all summer.