After taking advice from Richard and Sally and the others, we decided to visit Chateau Chenonceau. It was a fair bit closer than Chambord and was definitely recommended. It was a lovely day out: the gardens are impressive and the Chateau is well preserved.
The plan was to stop at a local, rather big, zoo in the afternoon but once we realised that it was 25€ each and we’d have less than three hours in there we changed out minds but had no other plans.
We attempted to stop for food in a little village but that proved awkward as only the bars were open. All the Patisseries were shut from 12.30 to 15.00 and it was about 14.00. In the end we found a cafe and had omelette and chips and sausage and chips. Not great really. We considered following this up with a trip to a vineyard but felt we ought to choose wisely rather than just picking the closest.
In the end we finished up in a lovely (officially) village called Montresor. Wandered around, picked up a cache, admired the loveliness and generally relaxed. Pen picked up a couple of bottles of decent £3 bottles of wine from the tourist info place. We’re hoping to find more, better stuff at vineyards later.
Headed back and caught up our days with the clan back at the chateau then headed out for dinner in Loches. They already been there and mentioned a variety of restaurants so we thought it a decent bet for finding a restaurant. Anyway, we didn’t get there until about 8.30, struggled to find somewhere to park and it was gone 9pm before we found a decent restaurant… which had stopped serving so finished up at a Pizzeria!
Pen’s pizza was ok but Mike’s steak was easily the worst he’d ever had: infinitely chewy and he gave up half way through. To rescue the evening though Pen had noticed a little tea shop that served cake nearby so we stopped there and had a really lovely piece of chocolate cake which was half brownie and half liquid. Pen also managed to find a tea she thought was gorgeous.
So, a mixed day, and back rather late.