We didn’t have a lot of time in the city of Bordeaux- about 8 hours.  We went to the city center and walked down to the river.  Monday was a bank holiday so everyone was out.  Because of the shortness of time, we took one of those tour buses which drove us around the city for about an hour.  Because restaurants close between 2:00-7:00, we had a late lunch.  I should say that they don’t serve food, you can get anything else.  In the early evening we found a cafe – sat down and watched the street entertainers.  Young kids doing tricks with soccer balls, jugglers, and always the musicians.  I could have sat there all night and people watched.  But we had to end the night early.  Another airport, another flight, another train ride.   I am truly blessed to be able to travel to these wonderful places.  As I always say….two broke kids.

First off, I would like to say that I am praying for the people of Houston and the surrounding areas.  So nice to see people helping each other.  That is a blessing.

I forgot one thing.  We went back to the pizzeria place to have dinner and thank them again for helping us out the night before.  Plus we wanted to give the girl whose friend was the one that drove us a tip.   Great food, too.

What a beautiful church Saint Emilion is.  Lovingly old.  When you walk in there is a pillar with gold tacks.  You can take one and hammer it in….it was full, but I managed to find a spot at the bottom.  Mass of course was in French.  Went back to our country inn for lunch.  Was suppose to do a champagne tour later that day, but the weather did not cooperate.  Lightning and thunder and rain.  Between the walking to where the caves were, and the tiny walkways not suitable for an umbrella, but with the lightening I wouldn’t have used one anyway, we decided to forego the tour. 

Today we are going to the actual town of Bordeaux.  We have been told it is another great place to explore.  Before leaving this morning, we did another walk to town just in case we missed something.

Yesterday was very warm and very humid.  Reminded me of being back home in Rock Hill.  But it didn’t stop us from walking every where.  Water, water and more water. I love the little shops.  We found one that all the local artists display there wares.  I support local artists, enjoy looking at the talented workmanship.

We did a tour and tasting at Chateau Villemaurine, and there underground quarries.  Where we are, they only produce reds because the soil is so rich.  On the other side of the river is where the whites are produced.  

Saint Emilion is named after a monk who lived here in the 8th century.  At one point he worked in the quarries, before dedicating his life to prayer.  The church here, which is named after him was literally built with one quarry.  Mass is this morning.  At least there is a breeze today.

We walked everywhere yesterday.  It’s about a mile into town from where we are staying.  Up and down, through vineyards.  Once into town, its more hilly and it is all cobble stones.  A great workout.

Did 2 private wine tours and tastings.  One was at Chateau Mauvinon where the winemaker was Bridgette.  All their Bordeauxs are made from 70% merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet savinion.  The tops of the vines are pruned flat so the energy from the sun goes to the fruit and not the vines.  We noticed pretty much all the vineyards had big bottles of wine on display.  We thought it was for decoration.  But no.  They hide the Heat mechanism that they use in the winter to keep the vines warm.

Last night we had dinner outside, and were assured that a cab could pick us up.  Well, at 9:30 we were told they stop driving at 9:00.  We could walk back.  However, it is dark, no lights, and very small roads.  The lovely gentlemen sitting next to us heard our dilemma and told our waiter….all in French.  He called someone up, and the next thing we were told was someone from the nearby pizza place could take us…..in the delivery truck.  While standing outside waiting, ran into some fellow Americans….who were from Arizona and fellow ASU fans.  Their Uber driver did not show up because he was hiding from the police.   All in a day, always an adventure.

Back into town I go.  Another tour and tasting. And more exploring.

I love traveling through the countrysides.  Whether it is driving through the beauty that is England/Wales or riding by train.  That is the best.  I always look for the church, because that is the center of town.  When you see hanging baskets of flowers, you know that is a pub.  And a long the way you see small farms with either cows or sheep.  I am now in another wine region of France, Bordeaux.  We drove in from the airport to St-Emilion.  Once getting off the highway towards the place where we are staying, all you see are vineyards- as far as the eye can see.  And of course the winery’s.  Old buildings, you can tell have been here for centuries.  We are staying smack dab in the middle of a vineyard at a place called Les Belles Perdrix de Troplong Mondot.  It is a beautiful place.  Our room is huge….and over looks the countryside.  And the food!!!   I think I ate seaweed yesterday at lunch.  They say you eat with your eyes first….and they are right.  All in the presentation.  Lunch was about 2 hours, dinner was 2 and a half.  The people here in this country want you to enjoy, relax, have a great time while having your meal.

Unlike Sonoma and Napa, you just can’t go to a winery and do tastings.  You have to set up appointments.  Today we made arrangements to go to 3 winery’s for private tours and to taste.  First we are going to walk into the village and explore.  The weather is perfect.