Enroute we were forever surrounded by verdant green farmland, framed with mossy timber fences and studded with medi evil towns, some with walled battlements and all with a church and steeple from which the bell is rung every day.
The towns and villages are colourless and the fog accentuated this, stone or cream walls, slate roofs or aged tiles, and modern businesses often housed within. We stopped along the road after having our tyre repaired, at a small restaurant. The lady was surprised and pleased to see us. She smiled and laughed and was so welcoming, I don't think too many Aussies must have called there in the past. She put baguettes of the most wonderful crusty bread on the table, cheese, ham, butter and fresh coffee. What a great breakfast, and then it was onward.
More towns and villages, and with so many 50k and 30k speed limits and because you can't check in until 4pm, we decided to stop for lunch about 2 o'clock. A non descript town called Nuelle, a small bar/come betting agency, we asked for sandwiches. What a spread was presented to us. A huge platter of ham and salad and pickles and pate and sausage meat , great chunks of cheese and all served with the amazingly fantastic bread.
When the man found out it was by birthday I received a kiss, happy birthday music played over the loudspeakers, and it was such fun. All the more so because it was unexpected.
Back in the car and we arrived in the beautiful little city of Amboise. Our accommodation is charming, a very old villa turned into 20 hotel rooms, decor of antiques and red velvet. We explored the streets, lots of shops, restaurants and history to get excited about, luckily we are here for the next 3 days. A fire was burning brightly in the sitting room, and a few gins and birthday cake and gifts to unwrap completed a wonderful day.
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