Loire Valley in Spring

                                                   Spring Break in the Loire Valley

I'd vowed and declared that I would never go on an organised bus tour, however bearing in mind that this was a CLA trip and great value for the cost, I sucumbed and climbed aboard. This adventure, dare I call it that, was one of the best I had ever been on and the only way to get a look at the culture of  autoroute travel.
My faded memories of Chateau Valley were quickly revived by the glorious yellow mustard fields and spectacular gardens. Pity about the nuclear fired Power stations.

The gardens of Tours and old quarters were some of the more ancient, authentic and breathtakingly gorgeous I had seen so far. This town was tops for gardens.and really shows off the Loire. Youth hostel accomodation(though not my first experience) was interesting though I had managed to organised private rooms in both of our stopovers.    It was in Tours that I was able to find a Japanese restuarant and indulge in food that I really miss. The evening was finished off in a cafe/bar with fellow travellers.

 Chenonceaux -- a fairy tale castle/chateau with all the fairytale stories to go with it. My favourite!! I will be back to visit this wonderland wishing my name was Diane de Poitiers.

                                            I would not mind living in the gate keepers cottage.
 Next up - Chambord,  so huge and spectacular that I felt it could house a whole town, not so romantic but an architectural wonder. Check out my new favourite bedroom.

Orleans was surprisingly a small town, not expected with its Jean d'Arc history, more cobbled streets and remarkable Patrimoine.

                                                          La maison de Jean d'Arc

 Jean's monument, we missed the Jean de D'Arc celebrations by 1 week but were still amazed by the worship of this heroine? and the fact that she is bigger than her horse in this statue.

More typically well restored municipal buildings. Just like all the Gothic cathedrals in the centre of these towns.
This was a well earned break after meeing many study deadlines and a real people adventure. At times I felt like a tour guide as I am not one to miss out on what might be round the next corner and was continually looking over my shoulder to see who was following me through the streets.