Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2003, 1:15 pm (7:15 in France)
Subject: French and my accent

Hello,   It's a real pleasure to read your messages and it's the first thing I do when I arrive at a computer. Because I am traveling alone, I don't have much chance to exchange ideas, and this forum is ideal.   Well, as for my mistakes in French, many people I speak with think I'm an Englishman who talks gibberish in French, and they try to reply to me in English. They offer me a brochure in English when they give me information. I didn't think my accent was so peculiar before I had to translate my slang expressions for Guy and Yolande Allegre: it did not go well. [literally: it did not have good blood.]

Getting back to our sheep [or getting back to the subject]: my motor tour of France. I spent the night of the 28th in Angers, and I made an excellent choice. The old city is small and narrow, and my hotel was close to everything. In the evening the castle is lighted beautifully, giving an entirely different perspective to this castle of the Middle Ages than I had experienced at other historical sites. I went to visit the interior of the castle as soon as it opened the next day and I climbed up to the top of the tower to see the most spectacular view out over the value. The Tapestry of the Apocalypse dating from the 12th century was also very impressive.

Next I took the road leading to Chinon which also seemed the most interesting. Bad choice, because one should never visit two medieval castles one after the other. Especially since Chinon is in bad condition. So I drove around the city a bit and went along in the direction of Saumur.

I always try to choose picturesque roads rather than super-highways; it's a little longer, but there are breath-taking views.

Armor Museum Saumur

Unfortunately, one has to get right up to Saumur to see its castle and the road that I chose took me to the castle by the back way. It it much less spectacular, but a very beautiful castle nonetheless. There were no visits to the interior, only two museums that did not interest me. Bing, bang, off to Azay le Rideau.

The photographs gave me hope, and I was not disappointed because it was very beautiful. I took a guided tour, and there were many interesting rooms within those walls.

I finished my journey at Tours and I was hoping to repeat my experience of the previous day and see the old city in the evening. Unfortunately, this city is very spread out, and I did not date to go too far from my hotel for fear of getting lost. Thus I packed my bags early since I had had a very full day. Angers, Chinon, Saumur, and Azay le Rideau. Oof!

This morning, I waned to approach the center of the city but Tours is a populous city which does not facilitate easy touring. The interesting sites are too far from one another and so I turned my cap toward the Castle of Villandry.

What gardens! It takes your breath away. The site is enormous and the gardens are very elaborate with these for each section. I spent the entire morning, and it was well worth it. The castle has been very well restored and the guided visit explained the grounds very well.

Then I went off to my next destination, Chenonceau. If I was impressed by Villandry, Chenonceau took my breath away. The castle itself is magnificant, but it's the whole property that makes this setting magical. One arrives on foot through a road lined by trees and is presented with the frontal view of the castle. You have to walk off to the side to see the famous hall that bridges the river Cher and the view is magical. It was a beautiful day, and I took photos worthy of the finest postcards.

I then went off to sleep in Blois and arrived relatively early in the evening to find a room close to the castle and other sites. I am eager to see the city in the evening with all its lights. Tomorrow morning, I will set off in the direction of Chambord and next La Rochelle for the stronghold of the Bonneau family. After mature reflection, I am going to pass up Fontainebleau and Chartres. I think I have seen enough castles for the moment, and even if Fontainebleau is associated with Napoleon, I have to make a choice. It's just too far for too little gain. I have to leave myself some breathing room!

Talk, talk. Jabber jabber. Again another novel. I'll take myself off not, and I hope I have not bored you too much.

With that, 'til next time.

Paul

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