Sunday, October 25, 2009
Au Revoir to France
We drove from Orleans back to Paris and to the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Debbie and Lisa did a little more shopping at the airport while Bill and Tom relaxed in the Admiral's Club. We boarded our flight right on time and had an uneventful flight back to the United States. We parted company in Boston saying we can't wait for our next trip. Where will it be this time?
Day 8 Bourges to Orleans
We started today a little sad, since it was the last day of our wonderful adventure in France. We went into the centre of Bourges to see the magnificant St. Etienne Cathedral. This cathedral was particularly interesting as it had 5 naves.
Bill made a fatal error and asked a question. Any Kuthe could tell him, never ask Tom a question unless you are prepared for a detailed response.
Tom was off again on his lecture circuit. This explanation looks alot like another one he gave. He needs to get some new material.
Our next stop was Chateau De Chenonceau. This is a beautiful chateau built spanning the River Cher. The king gave this chateau to his mistress. Bet that pissed his wife off.
Then it was off to the Chateau De Chambord.It is the largest chateau in France with 144 rooms. It was built as a hunting lodge. It is a little over the top.
Hello up there.
Hello down there.
Since Debbie and Lisa had not really had any chance to shop, they took advantage of the shops outside the Chateau Chambord. Tom and Bill waited patiently outside and enjoyed a local brew.
We then made our way to our last hotel in Orleans. This hotel was very generous with their complimentary bottles of wine.
When we were in Brugge, we stopped at a shop called the Bier Temple. Debbie explained to the proprieter that she did not like beer. He told her that she should try this particular beer, "The Dechusse De Bourgogne. It would change her opinion about beer forever. We all tried a taste on our last night, and not so good. It certainly did not change Debbie and Lisa's opinions. We still don't like beer.
Bill made a fatal error and asked a question. Any Kuthe could tell him, never ask Tom a question unless you are prepared for a detailed response.
Tom was off again on his lecture circuit. This explanation looks alot like another one he gave. He needs to get some new material.
Our next stop was Chateau De Chenonceau. This is a beautiful chateau built spanning the River Cher. The king gave this chateau to his mistress. Bet that pissed his wife off.
Then it was off to the Chateau De Chambord.It is the largest chateau in France with 144 rooms. It was built as a hunting lodge. It is a little over the top.
Hello up there.
Hello down there.
Since Debbie and Lisa had not really had any chance to shop, they took advantage of the shops outside the Chateau Chambord. Tom and Bill waited patiently outside and enjoyed a local brew.
We then made our way to our last hotel in Orleans. This hotel was very generous with their complimentary bottles of wine.
When we were in Brugge, we stopped at a shop called the Bier Temple. Debbie explained to the proprieter that she did not like beer. He told her that she should try this particular beer, "The Dechusse De Bourgogne. It would change her opinion about beer forever. We all tried a taste on our last night, and not so good. It certainly did not change Debbie and Lisa's opinions. We still don't like beer.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Day 7 Dijon to Bourges
We began the day in Dijon with a hearty breakfast to prepare for a day of wine tasting. Our first stop was Pavilion Des Crus. As you can see Tom found a very good White Burgundy that he enjoyed immensely.
We continued on the Cote 'd Nuits. Our next stop was at the Henri & Gilles Buisson Cellar. Franc Buisson described in detail the wines from the St. Romain Appelation (license). Franc could not figure out how we ever found him. He said, even people from Beaune can't find me. No one ever comes this far off the beaten path. We did the tasting in a cellar.
After several samplings, we needed nourishment. French cutoff for lunch was approaching. Franc suggested lunch at Les Roches in his village of St. Romain. We all ordered the plat de jour, until we realized it was a lamb stew. Bill and Deb cancelled their order and the look on the chef's face was scary.
Here is the lamb stew for 2. Tom loved it, Lisa not so much. Tom ate the whole thing.
We continued on the Cote 'd Grand Crus. We found a beautiful panoramic view of the valley and St. Romain.
Our last stop was Cave de Nolay in the village of Nolay. Tom purchased several bottles of wine and we need to figure out how we are going to get them home. Tom found a special brandy for the holidays.
Bill bought a bottle of red table wine for 2 Euro (known as 2 Buck Charlemagne) to drink in the room this evening. However, when we arrived at the hotel, we discovered he left it at the winery. Oh well.
We saw this chateau on a hillside and decided to stop for a photo op, but we have no idea where we were.
We stumbled across this Roman Temple ruin just outside of Autun.
Sorry boys, Tom was going to treat you to some Calvados (apple schnapps), but he drank it all. c'est la vie.
We continued on the Cote 'd Nuits. Our next stop was at the Henri & Gilles Buisson Cellar. Franc Buisson described in detail the wines from the St. Romain Appelation (license). Franc could not figure out how we ever found him. He said, even people from Beaune can't find me. No one ever comes this far off the beaten path. We did the tasting in a cellar.
After several samplings, we needed nourishment. French cutoff for lunch was approaching. Franc suggested lunch at Les Roches in his village of St. Romain. We all ordered the plat de jour, until we realized it was a lamb stew. Bill and Deb cancelled their order and the look on the chef's face was scary.
Here is the lamb stew for 2. Tom loved it, Lisa not so much. Tom ate the whole thing.
We continued on the Cote 'd Grand Crus. We found a beautiful panoramic view of the valley and St. Romain.
Our last stop was Cave de Nolay in the village of Nolay. Tom purchased several bottles of wine and we need to figure out how we are going to get them home. Tom found a special brandy for the holidays.
Bill bought a bottle of red table wine for 2 Euro (known as 2 Buck Charlemagne) to drink in the room this evening. However, when we arrived at the hotel, we discovered he left it at the winery. Oh well.
We saw this chateau on a hillside and decided to stop for a photo op, but we have no idea where we were.
We stumbled across this Roman Temple ruin just outside of Autun.
Sorry boys, Tom was going to treat you to some Calvados (apple schnapps), but he drank it all. c'est la vie.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Day 6 Reims to Dijon
First thing today was the Reims Cathedral. Per Tom, the available light within the cathedral surpassed any cathedral he had seen thus far. He was very glad we had decided to take the time to see it.
Next we headed for the Champagne Region. We toured the Moet & Chandon cellars. We also got to taste a glass of their best champagne.
Dom and Tom
We meandered through many French villages search for the perfect provincial restaurant to have lunch. To our dismay, we learned the French stop serving lunch promptly at 1:30. You can't " have it your way" in France. We asked for a recommendation and they sent us to the Auchon. We found out when we got there that it was a French WalMart Supercenter. We gave up and had flunch in the car instead.
Here is Bill's flunch
After flunch, we headed for the Abbey Fontanay. It is the best preservced medieval abbey in the world.
We then headed on to Dijon for our final destination today. It was raining, so we parked the car, checked into our hotel and headed for dinner. We found a great restaruant called Port Guillaume. It was real French Provencial cooking.
Next we headed for the Champagne Region. We toured the Moet & Chandon cellars. We also got to taste a glass of their best champagne.
Dom and Tom
We meandered through many French villages search for the perfect provincial restaurant to have lunch. To our dismay, we learned the French stop serving lunch promptly at 1:30. You can't " have it your way" in France. We asked for a recommendation and they sent us to the Auchon. We found out when we got there that it was a French WalMart Supercenter. We gave up and had flunch in the car instead.
Here is Bill's flunch
After flunch, we headed for the Abbey Fontanay. It is the best preservced medieval abbey in the world.
We then headed on to Dijon for our final destination today. It was raining, so we parked the car, checked into our hotel and headed for dinner. We found a great restaruant called Port Guillaume. It was real French Provencial cooking.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Day 5 Brugge to Reims
Today we see Belgium. We started out in Brugge, a beautiful medevial town. It was very cold and windy, but we walked around the town for quite awhile. Bill and Tom said that Geoff needs to find a filly over here in Brugge. According to them, Brugge has the hardest working, best looking women they have ever seen.
Our next stop was Ghent. We visited the Gravensteen Castle. It is a very old medevial castle. Tom and Bill were very impressed. Tom saw wheel lock and flint lock guns that he has never seen before.
Bill found the indoor plumbing and decided to take the Royal Dump. Here he is on his throne.
We stopped for lunch in Asse, Belgium at a very local restaurant, The Bistro Parnasse. The menu was all in Flemish so the cook/owner came out and explained all the dishes for us. Tom had Fazant (pheasant) op Barantse Wijze. The cook/owner was so nice and we had such a great time. Tom had his picture taken with him.
Tom's Fazant and the vegetable is Witloof. The cook insisted on bringing one of the Witloof out for us to see. We still have no idea what it is.
Tom and his new friend. He wanted Lisa to try to get the recipe. She said no.
After we left Ghent, we headed for Brussels. We got very lost and traffic was horrendous. We couldn't find the old town square, and then we couldn't find our way out of town. We gave up and headed to our hotel in Reims.
We stopped at a local grocery and picked up some wine. We had seen many signs for something called Calvados. We did not know what is was, and we found some at the grocery store. It turns out it is Apple Schnapps and is 40 proof. No open flames allowed anywhere near it. We made it to our hotel around 9:30 and got together to drink our wine and do our blog. We got to talking and laughing. There was a knock on the door and apparently we were too loud. The desk clerk had to come up and tell the old folks to keep it down. More tomorrow,
Our next stop was Ghent. We visited the Gravensteen Castle. It is a very old medevial castle. Tom and Bill were very impressed. Tom saw wheel lock and flint lock guns that he has never seen before.
Bill found the indoor plumbing and decided to take the Royal Dump. Here he is on his throne.
We stopped for lunch in Asse, Belgium at a very local restaurant, The Bistro Parnasse. The menu was all in Flemish so the cook/owner came out and explained all the dishes for us. Tom had Fazant (pheasant) op Barantse Wijze. The cook/owner was so nice and we had such a great time. Tom had his picture taken with him.
Tom's Fazant and the vegetable is Witloof. The cook insisted on bringing one of the Witloof out for us to see. We still have no idea what it is.
Tom and his new friend. He wanted Lisa to try to get the recipe. She said no.
After we left Ghent, we headed for Brussels. We got very lost and traffic was horrendous. We couldn't find the old town square, and then we couldn't find our way out of town. We gave up and headed to our hotel in Reims.
We stopped at a local grocery and picked up some wine. We had seen many signs for something called Calvados. We did not know what is was, and we found some at the grocery store. It turns out it is Apple Schnapps and is 40 proof. No open flames allowed anywhere near it. We made it to our hotel around 9:30 and got together to drink our wine and do our blog. We got to talking and laughing. There was a knock on the door and apparently we were too loud. The desk clerk had to come up and tell the old folks to keep it down. More tomorrow,
Monday, October 19, 2009
Day 4 Normandy to Brugge, Belgium
We now know that The Good Lord is watching over us. Bill called Hertz at 7:30 am and found out that there was a Hertz office in Bayeaux literally 100 yards down the street from our hotel. They just happened to have an identical van available. We were on the road only 1 hour past our itinerary.
First stop Normandy Beaches. We went to a very beautiful and moving American Cemetery. We were brought to tears by the tremendous sacrifices made to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy today.
This picture shows the concrete remains of German gun fortifications faced by the US Rangers at Pont du Hoc.
These craters are the result of Allied bombing on the German fortifications.
Omaha Beach looking towards Pont du Hoc
After we left Normandy, we went to Rouen to see the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The beautiful interior.
Our wonderful day ended in Brugge, Belgium just as planned. More tomorrow.
First stop Normandy Beaches. We went to a very beautiful and moving American Cemetery. We were brought to tears by the tremendous sacrifices made to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy today.
This picture shows the concrete remains of German gun fortifications faced by the US Rangers at Pont du Hoc.
These craters are the result of Allied bombing on the German fortifications.
Omaha Beach looking towards Pont du Hoc
After we left Normandy, we went to Rouen to see the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The beautiful interior.
Our wonderful day ended in Brugge, Belgium just as planned. More tomorrow.
Day 3 Versailles to Bayeaux
The day started out very French. Asked the desk clerk for coffee to go. "Of course" he replies. "You can get it at the restaurant." We went down to the restaurant and asked for coffee to go. The waitress said Yes, but we have no cups. So no coffee, on to Versailles.
Tom was impressed by the Hall of Battles and did his Napoleon impression.
As we were leaving Versailles, the line to enter was several hundred people deep. We were very glad that we had gone early.
Next stop Chartres Cathedral.
As you can see, Tom is leading an architectural lecture with 2 very enthralled students. As you can see Lisa is not listening.
On the way to Bayeaux, we developed major car problems. We did not think the transmission would get us safely to the next town. However, Bill's excellent driving skills and Tom's extensive automobile knowledge enabled us to limp our way to our hotel. We went to bed (after many drinks) thinking our next day would be ruined. Because of the stress of the trip and the many drinks, we decided not to blog last night.
Tom was impressed by the Hall of Battles and did his Napoleon impression.
As we were leaving Versailles, the line to enter was several hundred people deep. We were very glad that we had gone early.
Next stop Chartres Cathedral.
As you can see, Tom is leading an architectural lecture with 2 very enthralled students. As you can see Lisa is not listening.
On the way to Bayeaux, we developed major car problems. We did not think the transmission would get us safely to the next town. However, Bill's excellent driving skills and Tom's extensive automobile knowledge enabled us to limp our way to our hotel. We went to bed (after many drinks) thinking our next day would be ruined. Because of the stress of the trip and the many drinks, we decided not to blog last night.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Day 2 in Paris
First stop of the Day was Notre Dame. Tom led us on a architectural tour of the interior. We learned everything we needed to know and more about the structural composition of the cathedral. We also noticed the beauty of the stained glass windows. Due to oversleeping and Debbie's bad knees, we opted not to climb the bell tower.
Next stop St. Chapelle. After three trips to Paris, Debbie & Bill finally went inside this little gem. Luck followed us as we left. St. Chapelle dropped a 20 Euro note right in front of Bill. We used it for drinks at the bar later that evening.
While strolling the Seine, a young girl from New York offered to take our picture.
After lunch we made our way to the Louvre. Of course we had to see the Mona Lisa. Our Lisa bulled her way to the front of the crowd to get a clear picture.
Next stop Museum D'Orsay. Imagine Bill and Deb's surprise when they saw this painting. It has hung over the Kuthe fireplace for years. Did they loan it to the museum?
Due to traffic jams and one way streets, we never made it to Sacre Coeur on Day One. Lisa was bound and determined to check off everything on the itinerary, so we scrambled back to Sacre Coeur. The only way we could get this in before dark was for Bill to drop us off and circle the block three times for us to run up and see the inside before it closed and before dark. Lucky him, he found a place to park (in a no parking zone of course) and was munching on croissant and coffee before we were finished.
After a wonderful dinner in the Latin Quarter, when we arrived back to our hotel the parking garage was full. The desk clerk (Inspector Clousseau) told us to go outside. What? After several minutes of heated discussion we ended up parking on the street. That same desk clerk then tried to charge Debbie 15 Euros for an ice cream. (about $22). Welcome to France. Since it is 1:45 AM we are finished blogging for tonight.
Next stop St. Chapelle. After three trips to Paris, Debbie & Bill finally went inside this little gem. Luck followed us as we left. St. Chapelle dropped a 20 Euro note right in front of Bill. We used it for drinks at the bar later that evening.
While strolling the Seine, a young girl from New York offered to take our picture.
After lunch we made our way to the Louvre. Of course we had to see the Mona Lisa. Our Lisa bulled her way to the front of the crowd to get a clear picture.
Next stop Museum D'Orsay. Imagine Bill and Deb's surprise when they saw this painting. It has hung over the Kuthe fireplace for years. Did they loan it to the museum?
Due to traffic jams and one way streets, we never made it to Sacre Coeur on Day One. Lisa was bound and determined to check off everything on the itinerary, so we scrambled back to Sacre Coeur. The only way we could get this in before dark was for Bill to drop us off and circle the block three times for us to run up and see the inside before it closed and before dark. Lucky him, he found a place to park (in a no parking zone of course) and was munching on croissant and coffee before we were finished.
After a wonderful dinner in the Latin Quarter, when we arrived back to our hotel the parking garage was full. The desk clerk (Inspector Clousseau) told us to go outside. What? After several minutes of heated discussion we ended up parking on the street. That same desk clerk then tried to charge Debbie 15 Euros for an ice cream. (about $22). Welcome to France. Since it is 1:45 AM we are finished blogging for tonight.
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