A visit to Tours

The City Hall

We had a trip to Tours yesterday, the nearest city to where we are, about an hour from here.  It was a two-fold trip, to explore a new place and to find a family Rob had met a couple of years ago when he visited here with his friends from South Africa. We had their address but the Sat Nav wouldn't accept the street, so eventually we parked the car in a side street near the centre and walked around hoping Rob would recognize somewhere. To cut a long story short after walking for what seemed ages I eventually  remembered we have a Map App on the phone and managed to see where we were meant to be. So as it was now 2pm we thought we would have lunch and do a bit of exploring first. We found somewhere to have something to eat which was quite nice, Rob had his usual steak and I had a smoked salmon bagel, the restaurant was in a busy part of the city so we watched the world go by, people walking, or in cars, on buses and or in trams, while eating our meal.

It's Christmas!!

Where we had lunch

I was so pleased that opposite where we were there was a Christmas Market, so I dragged Rob across the road and we had a wander through that after lunch.

Looks like Father Christmas incognito!!!

With the train station in the background

We then walked to the Cathedral area in the old part of the city and had look inside as well.

In the gardens to the side of the Cathedral is an old cedar tree which is over hundred years old, which was possibly planted by Napoleon.

There is also in the gardens, very strangely, a stuffed elephant called Fritz, in a glass case. The story is he belonged to the circus, Barnum and Barry, and in 1902 he escaped and because they were not able to catch him and he was running wild they had to shoot him. However they were sad to have done this and to honour him they stuffed him and put him on show and there he is for all to see.

This was the theatre a newer facade at the front adjoining the old towards the back as can be seen in the photo above.













From the old part of the town we walked back up to the modern shopping area.

We then had a bit of a walk back to the car and drove to see Adeline and Francois and their children where we were very warmly welcomed and had a lovely chat for a couple of hours while snacking on bread and pate and drinking champagne.

Still happy in the Loire Valley

Life in our caravan can be quite varied but some days it is nice to just be lazy and we have had a few days like that. We have to do the mundane things such as shopping, washing and cleaning but that doesn't take too long when you only have a small living space. It is never boring, I am quite happy just sitting and reading sometimes, and while I am doing that Rob always seems to find something to do around the caravan or car.

Such as raking leaves!!!!











We went out for a drive yesterday to a small place called Angels-sur-L'Anglin. It is said to be the prettiest village in France and it is certainly very interesting. It is almost like stepping back into the medieval times with its old buildings and ruined castle. The name fascinated me so I looked it up. The Angels were a Saxon tribe who came to this area in about the 5th century and settled here, probably because of the huge granite outcrop that dominates the area and overlooks the river Anglin. Then the castle, which is in ruins now, was built about the 12th century. It was occupied by the English during the time of the Hundred Years war, so that is a little history lesson for you all!!!!

As it was lunchtime we found a car park next to a cemetery, and had some lunch before having a walk around.

The village is divided into two by the river and from near where we had lunch there was a viewing area looking down on the river and the lower part of the village.

Some of the narrow streets

A modern twist to an old building

This could be an advert for a Landrover Discovery!!!

We drove back up towards the Castle but discovered that it wasn't open to the public but we were able to walk up one side of it.

                                                                                   

Apparently the English built these steps during the 6th century!!!!

 On our way back we stopped at the next village also on a river, Tournon St Martin on the river Creuse.

I like this house

On our way back these are the type of roads we travel on every day and of course the colours are lovely this time of year.