Friendship Force Adelaide: June 2013

Montignac continued, before Sarlat la Caneda.

Finding the river!

Sarlat

Birthday boy with cake!!

A choice of sausage?

Day13. Saturday 22 June: Vitrac to Bordeaux. Having seen Sarlat on Friday we persuaded our tour manager to take us to Domme. What a brilliant choice! The small walled town perched atop the hill with a magnificent view of the valley and river below.

Waiting to depart Vitrac

The lookout at Domme!

The view to the valley

Historical vestments in the church at Domme

From there we lost our way (again?) getting to Bergerac and then Saint Emilion for a wine tasting or two.

Learning about the French method

Lunch is organised - French style!

Photos first, and then taste!

Day 14. Sunday 22 June: Bordeaux - a day of leisure, although the majority opted for a city walk and then a bus ride to the sea in the afternoon. Pau next day! Here we come!

Loches

The Pied Piper returning to the coach at Loches

Budget accommodation in Limoges!!

Day 12. Friday 21 June: Kevin's Birthday! Another early start, but not quite as early as we expected as the driver forgot the starting time! Then we had an interesting drive to find the Abri du Cap Blanc cave!! We passed through some small villages which had never experienced a bus in their lane! Another interesting drive on to Fanlac, and then Montignac for lunch. We decided against Terrasson, but headed back south to Sarlat la Caneda - an excellent decision. Delightful accommodation again at Vitrac.

Country roads

On the bus!

Our precautions against general contamination in the bus!

Asking the way!!

Abri du Cap Blanc - no original photos allowed

Fanlac letterboxes

Montignac

Day 8. Monday 17 June: This was a long day - from Vernon to Caen, then on to the Normandy beaches before returning to the Bayeux Tapestry, then to Le Mont St Michel for an over night stay.

Entrance to Caen Memorial museum

A commitment to non-violence

Trouble with the bus? - No! Just a conscience driver.

Omaha Beach

Omaha

Entrance to Bayeux Tapestry - a 'must visit' place.

Arrival at Le Mont St Michel

Dinner for those staying on the mainland

An omelette for dinner?

Le Mont at 11 pm - worth staying up to see!

Day 9. Tuesday 18 June: An early morning start to make the most of our visit to Le Mont. We had a private conducted tour of the Abbey which took us into privileged places over about 3 hours. From there we moved to St Malo for lunch and a quick walk along the foreshore before a tour of Rennes and on to our accommodation at Evron-Mezangers - a real pleasure!

A steep climb - one of many.

Waiting to start the tour.

A steep climb!!

A big fireplace!

Very attentive

Some hardy groups walking across the sand - hope they didn't encounter quicksand!

Our Tour Manager and driver on a quick walk in St Malo

St Malo beach front

Happy hour at Evron-Mezangers

..before dinner

..and then a walk around the lake for the energetic.

Day 10. Wednesday 19 June: Our ED's birthday! A early start required at we needed to be at Saumur by 10 am for a tour of the Cadre Noir Riding School. Rain en route did not deter us! Lunch then at Chinon followed by a visit to the Troglodyte dwellings at Azay-le-Rideau. Our driver demonstrated his true driving skills - narrow country roads and sharp turns! We think he really enjoys getting lost! Eventually we arrived at Villandry to enjoy the gardens before arriving at Tours for more delightful accommodation.

Making friends

and friends

..and friends!

Joan of Arc at Chinon

A British pub lunch in Chinon to celebrate!

Meeting a skinny donkey!

Troglodyte storage

Narrow roads!

Gardens of Villandry

Happy hour in Tours to celebrate another birthday

Happy hour

Day 11. Thursday 20 June: A day for chateaux. First to Amboise, then Chenoneaux, and finally Loches. All very different! Then we came down in the world with accommodation - budget standard now at Limoges!