Christmas in NZ

After flying in on Christmas Eve and a chance to settle in, we woke to a late morning start to unwrap our presents. I think Mark was the most excited to get a new driving helmet and his "slicer-dicer" that he had admired so much on TV.
Katie prepared a wonderful lunch with turkey, ham , potato bake and salads. The Slicer-dicer was put to use making. Mountain of coleslaw.
The warm and sunny afternoon was spent at the O'Connors property nearby watching the kids (big and small) enjoy the pool and water guns. The traditional cricket match was replaced by soccer until your correspondent twisted an ankle. The sun went down around 9.30 as we made our way home

TdF Day 45 - Chantilly Creme

The last day of our tour of France has finally come. The final leg back to Paris and our airport hotel took us first to Chantilly for a look at the Chateau and the nearby racetrack and stables.
It was one of the highlights of the trip and so much more user-friendly than the crowded Versailles. The whole thing is on a grand scale, but the art collection was the most remarkable, with 3 Raphael's on one wall alone.
We had a look at the racetrack next door but not in to the massive stables on the course. They looked like another palace.
Reality set in when we drove to our hotel near the airport and started the bag packing exercise. Will be good to get the trip over and be back home. Been an amazing experience!

TdF Day 44 - Monet's Garden

The last of the Pelaton were dropped at Versailles as Kez and Frank departed for Berlin, while we headed on our final sprint out and back to Paris. The rain tumbled down as we left for Giverny, but impeccable planning had the rain stop and the sun poke through as we reached Giverny.
Monet's garden and house were worth the look. The house was nice and even though we were well into the autumn the gardens and lily ponds were pretty special.
Lunch in Les Anderlys (the fish was ray!) on our way to Lyons La Foret - one of the beautiful villages of France. Market was finished but people crowding the streets and restaurants. A wander and relax on the agenda.
One day left.

TdF Day 43 - Versailles and rain

It was sad to leave La Ravenne after a great week of Champagne indulgence. It felt like home for us all. Langfords headed back across France to Normandy for their final week, while team Etho took Kez and Frank to Versailles.
Our arrival was very wet and we were very thankful to reach our lovely hotel -the Pullman is close by the chateau. Borrowed hotel umbrellas to make the walk to the chateau, but of little use in the driving rain! Decided to see the interiors first and hope for a let-up to see the gardens and fountain show.
Battling the crowds inside was a challenge, especially for Frank, so with dark skies building we hired a golf buggy to get us around the incredible gardens and grounds. The fountains were spectacular and thankfully the sun reappeared so that we could walk back to the hotel to get out of the wet clothes. Quite an experience!
Dinner in our hotel to celebrate Kerry and Franks anniversary - thanks Frank.
Really appreciate having them with us over the last week - a great effort and great company.

TdF Day 42 - Fitting Finale

The time at La Ravenne has been relaxing and taxing at the same time. All this food and wine to enjoy along with the great beauty of the countryside and villages dotted amongst the vines.
The day began windy but at least under clearer skies. The beauty of our setting increases under blue.
First job was to get Elena to Dormans to catch a train to Paris for her final 3 days. TD handled that while then rest of the Pelaton revisited our birthday lunch venue at Baune le Brie for a traditional French lunch in the little cafe there.
Another afternoon of relaxing at La Ravenne in the sunny spots before our drives tomorrow. We managed a long dinner while polishing off our last supplies....bed welcome, but later than needed.
*Pics below of Le Breuil and geese using the pedestrian crossing.

TdF Day 41 - Lunch faux pas

Grand plans for our big lunch have been problematic. Intentions for lunch at Epernay restaurant at Grillard Gourmand were upset by local winemaker Philippe Mignon giving it the thumbs down. Failure to find transport other than birthday boys driving also was a contention. We opted for a simple "birthday" lunch in a little local cafe. With our translator Sandra otherwise engaged, the TD took on the task of phoning and booking. All went well up until we arrived at the restaurant and discovered the wrong number at been dialed....... simple lunch at home again, but compensated by downing a magnum of 1998 Vintage Mumm champagne supplied by Queen Kez and excellent Premier Cru Meursault. Happy day and will try lunch out tomorrow.
*pics below of our at home dinner and La Ravenne

TdF Day 40 - Split in the Pelaton

Plan of the day was set as an excursion to Reims depending on reasonable weather. The day dawned very foggy, so it was hard to tell, but Sandra led a breakaway out on the road keen to do a tour of Mumm before lunch. Team Etho were forced to set an alternate plan and set their priority as a look at the city and cathedral. Both were quite stunning, with the city having wide boulevards and a touch of class. The Cathedral was also magnificent and a credit to those who repaired it after the damage inflicted during WW1.
The touring party was rejoined for lunch at Au Petit Comptoir, but split again as Langford had missed the Mumm morning tour and only booked for the last 4 in the afternoon.
Team Etho visited Taittinger instead. It had incredible caves going back to Roman times and the taste of their bubbles was great. A quick drop by Veuve Cliquot completed the visit to Reims.....for the Etho's.

TdF Day 39 - Relax and enjoy

Another moist and atmospheric day saw the Pelaton ask for a much needed rest day to enjoy the charms of La Ravenne and the village. The need for a little provisioning and Internet access led the TD to lead a breakaway group into Dormans.
The town has a huge monument to the WW1 and the battles of the Marne. There is also a German cemetery. All worth a look after we sorted the Internet needs, along with a drive through nearby villages.
The Pelaton was rejoined at La Ravenne for risotto lunch and a concerted attempt to deal with our growing number of wine and champagne bottles.
I can report on an heroic effort by the Pelaton to reign in the bottle surfeit through a wet afternoon while the girls watched various chick-flicks. TD went for a long walk, while Queen Kez led the charge before leaving it to the rested sprinters at the end.

TdF Day 38 - a little rain must poor

The dawn light was incredible, but the old adage about red sky in the morning proved correct as the rain set in for the day. Attempts to find the bread delivery were again unsuccessful so Big Al (aka Gaspard) and TD drove into Dormans to get breakfast. Plans were then rejigged to set a new route south-west to the town of Provins. It is a World Heritage site that was the medieval capital of Champagne. Very atmospheric inside the old walls and with an intriguing history. With rain falling more steadily we opted for lunch ( but of course) and then a drive back across the fields that have seen so much war around the Marne.
Just time to duck into local Champagne maker Philippe Mignon, who preceded to ply us with his wonderful bubbles. Just an unforgettable experience topped by his son adding a few bottles to our order and offering Elena a ride into Paris to her hotel.
We enjoyed a platter of meats and cheeses at La Ravenne over some bubbles while playing trivial pursuit .......rain?, what rain?
TD prepared a meal of pork and mushroom/mustard cream source again with some terrific burgundies.

TdF Day 37 - On to Epernay

The day dawned overcast after a wet night. TD had to drive to another village for the morning bread after others concerted attempts to catch the delivery van failed. Thus full and fortified we planned an assault on a local market and then the Avenue De Champagne in Epernay.
Many great houses are along the avenue, but it was another time when we discovered that a Frenchmans lunch is sacred. We knew that shops closed between 12 and 2, but thought we could still taste champers!
Luckily we found a new small establishment on the avenue that served excellent bubbles. With this aperitif we lunched in a local brasserie before a tasting and tour of the underground caves at de Castellane.
Some sleepy members of the Pelaton were happy for a quiet afternoon in the sun at La Ravenne (our digs). Queen Kez insisted on preparing her wonderful chicken roast while we sipped on a little local bubbles in the yard. Meal accompanied by Grand Cru Volnay picked up in Burgundy.
Another tough day for the Pelaton!

TdF Day 36 - Champers!

Early morning start to get out of the streets of Riquewihr before the tourists took over. Long drive up to Strasbourg and then towards Paris, before turning off to champagne country.
Arrived in Le Breuil maison "La Ravenne" at 3.00 to find two local guys stocking in the firewood. Rest of the new expanded Pelaton were lunching and shopping after getting there around 12.00.
Settled into our room and admired the view across the vines to the village as rain began to fall. When the Pelaton was rejoined we decided on a quick raid on one of the champagne houses in the village. Our host Didier was very friendly and insisted on all of the bottle being finished before we left. Several more local houses will need to be visited on the basis of this experience.
Queen Kez organized dinner, as only she can, in-house before an early night for all.

TdF Day 35 - Team Etho expands

Elena took the train up from Lyon to join us today. She will be with us into Champagne before flying out from Paris next Monday.
We used the morning to visit the town of Ribeauville before heading into Colmar to meet the train. The day was a perfect one so we returned via Ribeauville to do a little tasting at the main domain there, and to revisit Bergheim under sunnier skies. Gail was glad to have a little shopping companion with her rather than the impatient TD.
Dinner tonight on a nice restaurant down one of the little lanes before a big drive to our house in Champagne for the week. We won't have access to the Internet there so the blog will have sporadic updates...... Only 10 days left.

TdF Day 34 - Tried but Tired

Today's plan was to tour through a number of the beautiful villages set against the backdrop of the Vosges mountains. It is harvest time and the fields and villages are a hive of activity even before you factor in all the tourists.
Our plans were dealt a blow by various factors - a late start due to us both having a terrible night in the confines of our attic bedroom. I am developing a lean to avoid smacking my head on all the beams. The day dawned wet and with constant scuttling showers.
We enjoyed a very pleasant visit to Kayserberg, which was much quieter than Riquewihr, but at least as beautiful. Another wander around the even quieter but very beautiful village of Bergheim followed as the weather closed in.
There was nothing to do but to beat a retreat back to the loft at Riquewihr for a little more rest. And of course the sun returned at this moment as we grabbed a little rest in the birds nest.
Evening at home with the TD doing the cooking after a little tasting of last years vintage at a local bar. While in Alsace ....... etc!

TdF Day 33 - Into Alsace

Left the Langfords to their race into Paris while we headed toward the German border and Alsace.
Our stay for three days is based in the medieval village of Riquewihr, one of the more popular tourist spots along the Alsace wine trail. There are any number of beautiful villages in the area, but it was a little hard to appreciate the beauty of our town with the throngs of people, the difficulty of parking and then the climb up stairs to our apartment!
Thankfully when all was negotiated and we were able to stroll around after many tour buses had departed, we began to get a real feel for the place. The buildings date back many centuries and they have many famous wine houses still making wine down the cobblestone lanes. Only time to drop into one before dinner in a "Winstub" where the food is meant for large beer drinking men with large appetites.
Gail was especially taken by the cavernous Christmas shop.......baggage issues just keep building!

TdF Day 32 - Cote de Nuit

After doing the southern area of Beaune yesterday it was time for a punitive raid on the area north called the Cote de Nuit. It contains great names like Nuit St George, Vosne Romanee, Gevry Chambertin etc - some of the most expensive grand cru wines can be found here.
We drove to the top to get a feel and worked our way down. We also packed a picnic lunch to avoid wasting too much time over lunch ......this was a serious mission!
Highlights were a visit to an incredible cave in Gevry and a great tasting in Nuit St George where we got to taste 2005 and 2007 grand crus.
After such a demanding day we needed a break in Beaune before a tasting in town and dinner. And what a taste it was......a few glasses of excellent aged wines at a local establishment before dinner talking to a young Aussie couple from the Barossa.

TdF Day 31- Cote Du Beaune

TD did a little foraging in the wild streets of Beaune to bring back breakfast for the new Pelaton. The crew had to be fit for a day of wine tasting in the region south of Beaune. Village names that had the TD excited included Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, and the Montrachets.
Managed a nice tasting in a cave at Volnay, a burgundy lunch in Puligny Montrachet and another nice tasting in Pommard on the way back. In need of a little afternoon break before tackling Beaune again late afternoon. Dinner will be in, with some of the spoils of our excursion to accompany a light repaste.

TdF Day 30 - Beauned

Big breakfast spread at the Herteau chalet had us ready for the drive to Beaune in Burgundy. Drove through rain most of the way, but TD had insisted that sunny weather was arranged for our arrival.
The sun duly broke out as we approached the turn-off - another triumph of planning!
Met Team Langford at our nice apartment in the centre of Beaune. Time for a stroll around this very pretty place and the obligatory tasting of the local produce. Purchased a few bottles for medicinal use and as a sleep aid.
Slept well.

TdF Day 29 - Misty Mountains

Left Provence behind to head into the mountains of the Savoie region to visit our sometime boarder, Ciaran, and his parents near Bourg St Maurice. The drive was a long but reasonable one with a real mixed bag of weather.
Ciaran has stayed with us when training in Australia and we promised to visit. The added incentive was to meet up with our long lost daughter Elena who is staying a few days.
Had a look at the slalom course at Bourg and experienced the fun of negotiating the bends and steep slopes of the local roads. Fantastic dinner followed at the Herteau's with plenty of local wine! Thanks Aveen and Pascal.

TdF Day 28 - Eating again

The last day in Beaucaire and we discover our two best restaurants and a nearby winery. TD did not win points for late discovery, but at least we've had a good finish.
Last night it was a new place called Vintage, that had only a blackboard menu, but everything was terrific. Today we topped it with a formula lunch at Le Patio, in nearby Fontvieille where the food was innovative and first class. Entree included four different dishes, plats were great and desert beautiful .......all for $35 each. Dinner tonight will cheese and bickies.

TdF Day 27 - The Camargue

The day dawned bright and chilly, but warmed to a perfect autumn day. Gail felt well enough for a drive south of Arles to the flat wetland area at the mouth of the Rhone called the Camargue. It is the home of flocks of Flamingo and other waterbirds; and is also associated with beef cattle, bulls and the special white horses that roam the area and are used by the local cowboys. There is a strong Spanish influence and many vineyards.
We headed to the coastal resort town of Saintes-Maries del-la-mer. The beaches were at least sand, but pathetic by our standards. The town was simply crammed with restaurants specializing in local beef and seafood. We had to have the Paella for lunch. Seafood and a glass of Deutz champagne for Gaily had her feeling better.
Next stop was the medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes which proved to be a really nice place. The 13th century wall is intact around the old town, and unlike Carcassonne, it was not full of tacky shops selling plastic swords etc.
Time for a little wine tasting and purchase before returning home for an excellent meal in a new local - a fuller day than expected.