Howdy all, I am in my little internet shop for the last time today as I leave the beautiful Tours tomorrow morning for more exciting adventures in PARIS YAY!!!! But lets pick up where i left off last Wednesday......
Thursday morning was another early start as per usual, this time i took the bus again to Chinon, a little town about an hour from Tours. After taking ages to find the chateau, there were more rennovations and so it took longer to find, but eventually, with much walking i got there. It is the home town of Joan of Arc, and was quite pretty, unfortuantely i didn't get to go inside...stupid rennovations but never the less it was still stunning, lots of stairs and wet. So i looked around the gardens a bit and then headed back tot he station to go to Azay le Rideau, another little town with another chateau not far from Chinon. Got off the train and started my walk in to the town, i believe it was 2km's, took my about 15-20 minutes, was nice walk cold, but nice. Go in to the town and everything was still closed for lunch, but luckily i didn't have to wait long. i got a map and directions and headed the small walk to the chateau, which was stunning. it is built on a lake or part of a river i believe and was just stunning. it was simple, and stunning, and had gorgeous little rooms and a games room that made me think of nanna and nannu, it was really stunning. Then i went to a small bar to warm up with hot chocolate, it was really really cold and hot chocolate was oh so good! Then i started my walk back to the station, a bit early for my train but i didn't want to miss it otherwise i'd have to wait another 2 hours. I got back to Tours, bought my tickets for Friday, and headed back to the hostel.
Friday i woke up and headed off as per usual to the station to get my train to Chenonceaux. It was colder than Friday today, the train tracks were covered in frost! I arrived in chenonceaux and was plesantly surprised that the chateau was not only visible but the ticket office was 200m away YAY!!!!! So i bought my entrance tickets and headed off down the path to the chateau. it was incredible, the gardens were huge, i walked in the middle of what felt like a small forest, fallen leaves everywhere and birds eating, it was gorgeous then the castle emerged in front of me. It looked beautiful, on either side there were two large gardens, all frosted over, but stunning and then there was a river. From the entrance i couldn't see much but i knew as soon as i got inside the chateau would be even more stunning. And stunning it was, it is built on the bed of the Cher river, with a 60m long hall going over the river. Its known as the Chateau des Dames because it has been owned primarily by women. It was firstly given to the mistress of Henri the second or third, i cant remember now, and then when he died is wife, Catherine di Medici kicked her out and claimed it for herself. These two women and Henri the something are known throughout france. Each king had his initials placed int he castles he built or rennovated and the markings of this king is a H with two C's going through it so it looks like 2 D's, which is the initial of the mistress! Ok enough history, although i find it fasinating. The chateau has been used as a hospice in the World Wars and everything. It may have taken equal favouite with chambord!!!! The gardens too were stunning, the larger one is named after the mistress but the smaller one was the Queen's. there was also a maze, an old farm and other gardens that im sure would be stunning in Spring but were still remarkable in winter. So then i headed back to Tours and got a hot chocolate and wrote some postcards etc. Went back to the hostel and watched some of the Demi Finale of star Acadamy which is kinda like big Brother mixed with aust idol! then went to bed exhausted!
Saturday i got up and wandered around Tours, looked in the markets and did some gift shopping. It took ages for me to find anything but i got there eventually. i got my tickets for Sunday and was happy to linger and look through the shops. after lunch it got horrible, everyone in Tours was out and about, even though it was raining. you couldn't move! but i found some nice things in small shops and was happy with that. Saturday night i chilled once more and slept really really well, i think i have a small touch of solething, i am ok though!
Sunday i got up and took my time getting ready to head to loches to meet Emily's family and spend the afternoon with them. i did some small shopping for Emily and her kids Robbie and Seryn and then caught my bus to loches. i went and found them all and stayed playing with the kids and Em's family until my bus home at 830. I was a playground for little Seryn (she's almost 3) and i was not allowed to work out Robbie's (hes almost 5) transformers until he was too tired to notice, i have realised that girls are not predisposed to understand them but i got it in the end. It was nice to spend the afternoon with people i know and that speaks english, makes it so much easier. i got home after 9 and went to bed.
Today, i got up and did things slowly before organising things for my departure tomorrow. did some last bits of present shopping and organising, came here and am about to go do my washing the thrill seeker that i am. For a treat i am going out to a bar for tea tonight, french muscles and chips are well worth it! i saw Emily and the kids today as well, they were in Tours and used my little room for a warm up spot! i leave here tomorrow morning fairly early, and will be in Paris by midday! It's sad to leav because i feel a part of this place now in my small way, the small kabab shop around the corner know me now and what i like, but i am excitied about starting new adventures!
love you all very much
PS i might be attempting to ski again with my family here. Fingers crossed i understand a bit better this time, I'll let you know what is happening!
