Tuesday 30 July 2024

Our first full day in Saumur since arriving last night. It is quite hot now. High 30’s inside and out and no air conditioning. We survived under fans last night – just!

Joanne had her second interview for a new job via Teams back to Australia, this morning. So, Flashy went for a walk in search of wifi, as there is none in the house we are renting, which as you can imagine, is causing stress in some of the party. Despite originally expressing an opinion that the “U Express” supermarket, 50 metres down the road, would be ‘just like a 7/11.’ Well, it was a wonderful treasure trove of goodness, with everything from bread to booze. It was also airconditioned and their free wifi worked in the car park as well. He was lost in the space for an hour, before returning with some coffee and the amazing story. It was so good that he will take Joanne for a visit as well.

Jo’s birthday lunch was at Alchimiste, a semi formal French restaurant with white tablecloths and exceptional food. While listed in the Michelin Guide, it is yet to receive a star. Long overdue in our opinions. Starting with a Loire Cremant, we were treated to two amuse bouch from chef. The Vouveray Chenin Blanc was very good and accompanied our veal tartare. Beautiful fresh bread of course on the table. The duck breast main deserved the Rose we chose and this flowed into an assortment of cheese and Jo’s strawberries dessert. Lady P had a beautiful piece of fish as her main.

Walking back to the car we stopped at a wine information cave for a couple of tasters and a little bar for a refreshing wine. We also visited the Triple Sec Distillery, where Jo and Flashy had an extensive tasting, led by a very good English speaking, young French man.

Heading home Flashy took Jo on a culinary tour of U Express, where they discovered Fish Fingers and Champagne. What a combination. Ah, the nostalgia of fish fingers. We should have had white bread and butter. No tomato sauce, though. Lady P, as we later discovered, scoffed the remainder of the smoked salmon.

Wednesday 31 July 2024

The two ladies are feeling the heat. 33C inside at 9.00 am. Flashy thinks it’s lovely. Strange man. So, an air conditioned shopping mall is the only solution. Off we go to Intermarche and then to E. Leclerc and Kiabi -  that great Big W equivalent, where we get some more, not needed, summer clothes. Home to Champagne, smoked duck breast, soft cheese, smoked salmon and a little country terrene and fresh baguette. Jo bought some macaroons. Eclairs next. Oysters and mussels are still on the agenda.

Thursday 1 August 2024

Another scorcher today with inside hotter than outside again. So, we went to a troglodyte cave and the Musee du Champignons, which was underground. Cold enough for a jumper and a nice relief from the summer weather. Then feeling the need for more French things, Joanne shouted us lunch back in town, where we had mussels, salmon tartare and scallops and a good bottle of Sancerre. Home for a nanna nap, then on to Chateau Rivau for an evening of jazz by the castle with about 100 others pipue-niquing, in the gardens. As dusk fell, we headed back home with a long twilight, finally dark at 10.45pm.




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