Europe 2010 Part 5
The back roads reveal so much about living in France.
We visited a dairy farm. He runs it alone!
His milk cows await their visit to the robot milking machine.
They each go in as the pressure of their udder makes it point. He does nothing.
He has cattle as well. Here they discuss their fate.
On the approach to Le Mont Saint Michel. Protected by quicksand.
Big place. Home for William of Normandy, then an abbey, and then a prison.
The entrance to the town surrounding the castle. The usual welcome!
The hike up the hill to the castle entrance was very steep and lined with shops.
Finally the entrance.
A garden area.
The dining room.
The chapel.
A pretty garden spot. Here the monks walked.
Not too bad a view.
St. Michel himself. Whopping the dragon. The copper one is on top of the castle.
On the back roads again and through those small towns to have lunch.
We stop and hear geologist Bernard Langellier tell us about the River That DisappearsÓ
that is on this Mrs. HayotŐs land in Vingt-Hanaps.
She has donkeys.
Down the road we visit where a river appears. Same one?
Nearby we search for fossils along a plowed field of wheat. And we find them!
Later we arrive at Hotel Europe in Tours near the train station. Our view.
Dinner in a nearby restaurant with wonderful desserts.
Followed by a caf visit.
The next morning we begin the day at the castle of Chenonceau, home to kings.
Built across the river
Some nice items.
This is the hall over the river.
Part of the kitchen. Toss the garbage through the floor to the river!
One of the ovens/stoves.
Lots of wood and weird wallpaper.
Nice gardens.
For the king.