France Day 7 - Tournon

Monday September 16

We woke up to blue sky again and it promised to be a nice day. 

Our ship had docked again very conveniently. We could start our walking tour right there. 

There is of course a castle, the old part built in the 10th century and the new part in the 14th century. 

A must see: the oldest suspension bridge in France Passerelle Marc-Seguin was built in 1825 but today is only for pedestrians to go to the other side of the river to the town Tain-I’Hermitage. 

That’s what happens when too much time goes by before I write the blog. Can’t remember why this was built by whom but it is a Highschool now. So we could not visit it. 

But we did visit the “Chocolaterie”! Like the silk factory this business too was already for several generations in the same family. Here we met the young couple and their toddler son.  We got samples which were awesome and, of course, purchases were made. 

And yes, the shoe is Schokolade too. 

When we came to this catholic church "St. Julien" it didn't look that special. But when we went inside we were surprised. 

I tried to find a description online but without success. This room which might be a choir room or a side chapel, had these paintings directly on the walls. I think they might be frescos but I can't remember. I would have liked to know from which time they were.

This area was attached to the painted room, wide open and so totally different. 

In the main church I also noticed this "Station of the Cross". They were ressest but relieves and very stylist. Very nice.

The colored glass windows were stunning too but their colors (again) did not show very well.

Wished we could have heard the organ. 

We went back to the ship and had lunch. Short after 11 am we were asked to come to the plaza just across the ship. Our two tour leaders had prepared a "Learning & Discovery" event for us. 

There was a table with food tastings special to this area of France. A little while later they tried to teach us the game of "Pétanque". 

It was too cold and windy for James and me there but we have seen it being played a few times since then from the bus.

Yeah, back to the ship.

We were supposed to sail at 1 pm but the captain had to give us bad news. The wind had gotten much stronger which is not unusual for this area. The Minstral wind can blow anytime during the year and is quite unpleasant. It would be too dangerous for our ship to sail and especially go through the locks of which there are many. So we have to stay here another day.

Today seems to be "France Day" on the ship. Many tried to dress accordingly but the crew always does something special. So that continued anyway.

Dinner was very special too.

Only one food photo: escargot's!

After dinner we learned to played Bingo which they call  "French Lotto".

I think we played 3 rounds. Here is what you call when you got it.

James could use that word "quine" once. 

That kitchen towel will be special in our collection. 

It was a bit disappointing that we could not sail today but the day had been fun anyway, It will be interesting what the trip leaders and the crew have come up with.

Night, night.