Kids leave

August 7, 2011

We had to take the kids to the airport today. Upside: the departure seemed flawless.

We woke on time. A small glitch the night before was Sam and Erin ended up with a double and Sam and Erin flipped for which would get their sleeping spot choices. Erin won and wanted the floor but gave into Sam and let him have it.  Nice room otherwise with a large bathroom and a very helpful woman at the desk.  I was a little teary at the airport. The week went too fast. 

We did have a fun but average meal at a restaurant XXL recommended by the hotelier. The waiter was outstanding, but given the food was proportioned for XXL it was a lot and the meat all ordered at medium rare ranged from Sam’s tough brown meat, to mine red and not quite warm. 

I had my only “bad” interaction in France at a different restaurant she had recommended, where we entered an open door and the staff finishing their meal looked up and said “Toute a l’heure” to which I replied” Too early?” and the man in charge behind the bar said, ”Whaaat?” in a mocking tone. I apologized and reasked and they said you have to wait till 7. It was 6:50. So, Jim went to move the car and we paced the block, in the rain. We had walked by so many other cafes that were serving, on our route to secure the hotel.

Le Chein qui Fume wasn't open

So we tried to re-enter at 7, saw people seated, the waitress now, asked and said 4, and I said "Yes, a l’interiur," and then the guy got involved again, and seemed rude. So, I asked, "Is there something wrong?" In French, and he said no, but was so nasty I had to leave.

The day had started lovely at the Hotel Thomaseaux in Mosnes, huge room, shower, etc.

Unfortunately, we discovered the backpack I use was left probably at the last Hotel de Thomaseaux. We tried to ring them several time with out luck, no answer. So I sent an email today. Sadly the bag does have many receipts and the copy of my passport, and credit cards, and my toiletries bag and merrel walking shoes, but nothing truly valuable. Jim’s travel folder is still in Dinan, and the RS book we tried to leave in Arromanches we drove back to retrieve.

Jim and I are now on our way to Beaune, the heart of Burgundy, Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Pommard, I am looking forward to great cuisine and wine tasting, separated by bike rides, hikes, etc. We auto-routed here given the tremendous delay we had yesterday on the smaller road out of Mosnes. We lost important time that diminished our trip and time at Versailles. We didn’t enter the chateaux until 3-ish. The town TI RS recommended didn’t sell tickets after morning, and I forgot the other idea to buy at a restaurant, Jim parked the car; I got in line and by the time all was done, I had waited in line for 45 minutes.  We toured the chateaux with the throngs of people, that are usual, but that make it so difficult to enjoy, unfortunately the gardens closed early for a fireworks show later at 9, at was another 22 euro. Given we had already spent 25 for the place and garden and Trianon, and that we were beat, we opted out.

Versailles

Midway to Beaune, maybe two thirds, we discovered we were not making it there for lunch so, I said, it’s quarter to 2, if we want lunch we should, Jim said how about Vezelay, as we approached that exit, I said good, we immediately turned off, but Vezelay was 20 km., but Nitry was 1-2. We went to Nitry were in a very small village there is a big destination hotel and restaurant with folks in period costume serving traditional food. So mid-day we had a full meal, as we imagined they do, with just a demi-bottle of wine, Irancy. Fabulous!

Exterieur

Interieur

We made it to Semur-en-Auxoise and had a nice  hour walk around, and then to Beaune, by 7-8-ish. Our hotel and hoteliers are most charming. Le Home. We checked in asked about adaptors as mine was in the backpack.The host offered to find one of his, which didn't fit, but went on to find an adaptor and Jim's phone was changing on return. He journeyed into town, needing to stretch, but neither of us could really stomach any more food; our lunch so very much still with us. Just a wine bar, with a tart of a waitress and walked back aching for the next day to explore the wine tasting.