Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Monday, July 8

We booked two nights at Camping Jardin de Botanique close to Amboise. We came here yesterday after having seen the Chateau, and ran two loads in the washer straight away. Unfortunately no dryer, and we have to run two more loads tomorrow, so we’re looking a bit like a gypsy camp...

In this area, people have lived in caves since centuries back. Not as primitive as it may sound – the front of the caves look like proper houses with windows and doors, flower pots and so on. And the climate in the caves must be fantastic – cool in the summers, warm in the winters. Unfortunately we don’t have any photos – we passed so many of these dwellings but couldn’t take any photos

Our first stop was at Domaine du Bois Mozé Pasquier in Chacé (There is another domaine with almost the same name, so don’t confuse them on Google!) Someone locally has given “our domaine” bad reviews, maybe someone from the other domaine, because we simply do not agree) Our hostess, Patricia, married to “Le patron”, was extremely communicative, meaning she helped us speak better French than ever. Not a small complishment, considering how much French we’ve forgotten... Their wines were really good. We ended up buying a box of reds and a mixed box of rosé and Cremant (a sparkling wine). We throroughly enjoyed this stop, and Patricia was an important part in this.

Saumur is a delightful town. Some other time I’d like to spend some more time here, but travelling with a nervous dog that cannot be left alone in the RV means you have to adapt to him. Anyway, there is also a Chateau – of course! in Saumur, on top of the mountain. Dogs are not allowed inside, but the outside is magnificent. We ended up staying in the parking lot, took a few photos and made ourselves coffee and a sandwich.

On our way to the Domaine in the morning, we went past a mushroom museum. Going back to the Camping site, we decided to stop. Turned out to be a museum cum shop, really interesting. And I learned that Champignon means mushroom – champinjon is Champignon de Paris. I had no idea. Anyway, really interesting museum, some pictures included below (or possibly in the next post) and we bought half a kilo of two different mushrooms. Yum!

We had a bit of difficulty finding a grocery store, but finally found a really good one at E Leclerc in Amboise.

Back at the camping site, we cooked half of the Champignons de Paris and had with potatoes, ham (for me) and a salad. And wine...  Meanwhile, we ran two loads in the washing machine. We were worried they wouldn’t dry overnight, so decided to leave the awning out, even though it was terribly windy.

Tuesday, July 9

Luckily, our washing had dried over night. Had a light breakfast, and then went to Amboise to see the Leonardo exhibition. He lived there the last years of his life, and this year is 500 years since he died. However, there was no parking for RV:s. We were not allowed to park in the parking lot for buses, and the parking for cars really was not big enough. Three RV’s were denied parking while we were there – and the bus parking lot was practically empty!. We were told to park in the city – but we had been there Monday, and knew the parking lots simply were not big enough, not even for our small RV. We were so disappointed, had really set our hearts on this, but it just would not work. We left a very detailed comment on Google Maps, and realised several others had had the same experience. Surprising, since France is actually THE perfect country for “Camping Cars” as they are called over here.

On we went along the Loire, going east. We had an improvised coffee/lunch on one of the banks in the village of Chaumont. Charming village with a great chateau – too long lines so we didn’t bother, but we had a nice stroll through the village. And lo and behold, there was a wine shop ahead, and we didn’t have anything to drink that evening. In we went, tried a few of their wines, and left with a box of six. We are hopeless!

Our goal Tuesday was a France Passion farm, Javoy pere et fils in Mézires-lez-Cléry. As usual, the proprietor didn’t really speak any English, and we don’t really speak any French, but with a bit of good will, one can always communicate. Good wines, we ended up buying not a box, but one rosé, one white, and two reds. Nice simple dinner with two of their wines in their back yard.

Wednesday, July 10

Staying at France Passion farms is excellent, but you don’t usually have access to electricity  or showers. Not a big problem, but we want showers at least a couple of times a week (there is a shower in our RV, but it’s quite cramped and not really enjoyable, so we prefer using the communal showers at the camping sites).We knew we were heading to Chablis (Oh, yum), so booked two nights at Camping du Serein just outside of the town. We belive it’s under a 10-minute walk into town – hopefully.

Our plan today today was to visit the Jeanne d’Arc museum in Orléans. However, the museum wasn’t where the coordinates said it would be, and there was absolutely no parking to be found. Not really a big problem – we were more disappointed to miss the da Vinci exhibit – but we have come to realise that a “Camping Car” does have its limitations. We love ours, but without bikes it certainly is difficult to get around. And we simply don’t have enough payload to add a couple of bikes. Being overweight can not only be dangerous, but also very expensive.

We’ve been thinking quite a bit about this. Love  how small and versatile the car is, but hate not being able to get around. Don’t know how to solve this, and we won’t buy something new unless we have a better idea what we want.

Anyway, on we went along the Loire, and here we are in Chablis. The camping site is spacious, lush (quite different from further west along the Loire) and calm. Tomorrow we will visit Brocard (love their wines) and look at the villag town. Friday we will move on to Beaune.

This is such a long post as it is, so I will post the photos separately. Hope noone minds! J