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France & Portugal August 2021France & Portugal August 2021
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France & Portugal August 2021

August - September 2021
  • Colleen Boyer
This is a rebook of a trip that was to have occurred August 2020 but cancelled due to worldwide COVID 19 pandemic. The pandemic is not done yet! Read more
  • Colleen Boyer

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  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021

    Thursday tournon and further north

    September 2, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    An early start once again with an 8.15 walk about town of Tournon. Then a 10 minute bus ride to the train station. A steam engine. Train de l'ardeche. We rode through the 2 gorges. About half hour and we disembarked the train. The engine was detached, turned around, and placed on the other end of the train for the return I believe the train and track were built in 1903. Back on the bus to return to the ship that has moved since we left it this morning.
    So many acres and acres of vineyards. The grapes will be harvested in about a month, end of September.
    Random thoughts, the boat is the Buri. Our most frequent waiter is Norman(s). He is from Latvia and has been working for viking for 7 years. Nice guy.
    We had about 2hr cruise down the Rhone and were able to sit on the upper deck, as long as we didn't stand up. Some low bridges and thankfully a partly cloudy sky so that it wasn't too hot. We will arrive in Vienne about 4.30 for a short walk about town before dinner. Probably won't take a shower b4 dinner though as apparently there is no hot water on the ship..... beautiful scenery all along. Vineyards up and down taking all available land.
    We did the walk and even had time for a shower. The water was warm but apparently there are continued problems with the hot water. For dinner we had French onion soup and scallops! Once again it had been a long day. I have missed the evening entertainment every night! It dosen't start until 9.30pm 😴💤    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021
    1

    Its Friday in Lyon

    September 3, 2021 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We are on a bus once again after just arriving in Lyon at 8am. We will be here until we disembark on Sunday. This morning is a bus tour around town followed by walking and shopping before returning to the ship for lunch. Seems we are eating way too much! Across other river and up the hill there is q Roman amphitheater built in 2 AD. Then the cathedral . It was built in the 1870's and contains many beautiful gold mosaics. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We walked some and saw some ancient roman ruins. An amphitheater. We went to old Town and bought some beautiful chocolate. Lunch was a Greek salad and baked apple. By 2pm we were back on the bus for a tour to the town of Perouges. It is supposed to be an ancient mideavil town. Most of the current city, close to the rivers was built after 1850's after the floods. The floods are now contained by the lock system. Perouges is about an hour from Switzerland and Geneva. We walked through the charming town, built in 1400's. Inside the walls the population is 400 plus 700 outside the walls. There are no cars in the town unless you live there. It is close to the alps so cold in the winter. It felt very authentic and I know I would not have liked living in the middle ages!Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021
    11

    Saturday is our last day on the ship!

    September 4, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We have a full day tour today north of Lyon to the Beaujolais wine country. Off on the bus by 8.30am about 45 minutes to Belleville. A farming area of grains, vegetables and sunflowers in addition to the vineyards. They are very proud of their wine production here. Most are family businesses. The wine picking will be a little late this year due to a poor summer. Most of the area was built up in the 1800's after the French revolution. 25000 pickers will arrive about 3 weeks to pick for about 3 weeks. Stop by the windmill for panoramic view then on to Chenas for a wine tasting at 10am! Julienas. First vines brought to the area by the Roman's. Next door is the Burgundy region. A different soil and type of grape. Approx. 40 acres of vines produce 200k bottles of wine.
    We tried 4 types of Beaujolais wine. 2 white and 2 red. About 1 hr. Drive to the truffle farm through South Burgundy region. The type of soil (rock) determines the type of grown. Clay,limestone, granite. When the vines get to be over 40 yrs they produce few grapes but they are valued for the flavorful grapes and quality of the wine. They can produce from 4 yrs to 100 yrs.
    Maestro truffle hunting dog. 5 yrs old. Some truffles you to 2000 euro per kilo. Black truffles.
    Our lunch was cooked s served by the family. We had local bread served with truffle butter and truffle oil. Then couscous with lamb stew. To finish we had chocolate Mousse with truffles and also a soft brie with thinly sliced truffles in the middle. It was all served with local Beaujolais wine, both red and white. Maestro then showed us how to truffle hunt. The owner is very passionate about his business. He has diversified over the year to include raising beef and lamb, growing truffles and grapes and has now added some olive trees.
    Now 20 minute drive to the goat farm near Lys. We had 3 types of goat cheese. Some made today , some slightly aged and some aged about 3 weeks which had the most flavor and I liked best.
    Now a little over an hour ba cl to the bus. It is about 4pm and we will freshen up for our last dinner and then pack as the bags are to be out in the hall by 8 tomorrow 😒    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021

    Lyon to Paris

    September 5, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We were up early to be out of our rooms by 8am on the ship. And they allowed us to remain on the ship for both breakfast and lunch. Cheryl had us play word search lol. The cabs came at noon to take us to the airport and that was 80 euros for each cab. About 45 minutes from our downtown location. The flight to Paris was only an hour but it is a huge airport and it was almost 6pm by the time we reached our hotel near the airport. A quick dinner which was not very good. We did not get a cab to downtown to see the eifel tower. It was very expensive so we decided to pass and go to bed early.Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021

    On our way to Portugal on Monday

    September 6, 2021 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today will be another day of travel. We are up for breakfast at 8 and will cab to the airport for our flight at 1pm. The check in was smooth as well security and we were settled in the waiting room by 10.30.
    An uneventful short flight and we were in Faro by 3pm as we lost an hour. The Sunline transfer van was there to meet us right on time for the one hour ride to the condos in Lagos.
    Of the 2 condos I think ours is the poorer set up. But it will function for 2 weeks. Pretty sparse of furniture. We are in separate buildings and each cluster has a small pool in the middle. Very hot here, even at 4pm.
    The lady (Theresa) showed us the units and then drove us to a grocery store to pick up a few essentials. We also got some to go items for our dinner- chicken and rice. Unfortunately the pool was closed by the time we were ready to swim.
    We had a short visit with the others and then off for bed and some wash.    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021

    82 rua goncalves zarco

    September 7, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Home for 2 weeks. The condo leaves a little to be desired but it will be fine. We managed 6 loads of wash for the 4 of us and it needs to hang outside in the humidity to dry. After washing we went again to the Intermarche supermarket for supplies as well as gas for the 2 cars that were delivered this morning. Citroën and they are standards on winding hilly roads! Glad I'm not driving and Paul did very well today. But we got terribly lost and turned around on the way back. Couldn't get my GPS to work. Pizza for lunch and then a swim in the pool.
    Paul found a great nearby restaurant for dinner- Atalaia. Some had sardines! They were huge! Den and I shared a veal steak with salad and it was delicious. For dessert Denis had chocolate covered chocolate ice cream and I had lemon ice cream served in a frozen lemon. Delicious. We found our way home and are chilling before bed. Hoping to head downtown lagos tomorrow and possibly the beach.    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021
    11

    Wednesday in Lagos

    September 8, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Paul, Denis and I went for an early morning walk on the beach. It was quite foggy tho for a while. The tide was out and so the beach was huge. And very clean so no shells or beach life.
    After a late breakfast and checking out maps we headed for downtown Lagos. We found some underground parking then walked along the boardwalk/sea wall. Many vendor stalls and tour sellers. It seems cork is grown near here so many cork products. We had a short walk through downtown and stopped for lunch. We found the slave museum and learned how lagos was a center for slave trade in the 1500's.
    Hot and humid and wearing masks everywhere we headed back to the condo around 3 for a dip in the pool before dinner . We had planned to eat at a restaurant nearby that didn't open until 7pm. On phoning we learned that there is no space available for dinner for 8 for several days so the alternate plan was to head to one of the restaurants on the nearby beach. We were able to get into the 2nd one - Antonio's and were inside which really didn't matter as the sun had set. Some had fresh sea bass, some clams, I had Portuguese style steak. Quite flavorful with a fried egg on top. We have also come to enjoy sangria, particularly the white. The waiter talked us in to a variety of deserts and decaf espresso.    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021
    1

    Thursday around Lagos

    September 9, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    No fog this morning and the boys are off for another walk. Not sure if it will be the beach or cliff today. I need to have a day with less food! We have eaten well but too much.
    So after breakfast we hopped in the car, headed west to Sagres, a small town half hour away on the southwest tip of Portugal and therefore Europe. The walls of a fort from 1400's have been resurrected and we walked out to the point. Couldn't see the coast of North America tho so I guess the world is round!
    We had a lovely lunch of baked brie and a salad. Some had pizza. Back to the condo for some pool time. We have decided to stay in for dinner tonight and eat up things in our fridge. I need a night off from eating out! Who would think I would ever say that!!    Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021

    First Friday in Lagos

    September 10, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After Paul and Denis did their morning walk we drove in to town. Have booked a kayak trip for some of us and the rest will have a boat trip to see the caves next Thursday. We took the small hop on / off bus/ train for a 1 hr tour of downtown and then went to Tasco do kiko for a late lunch. We shared some white sangria, ate sharkskin mayonnaise, lamb kebobs and crispy chicken sausage. I had strawberry Pavlov for dessert and Denis had apple strudel. All delicious. Again no dinner as we finished lunch at 4pm.Read more

  • Colleen BoyerColleen BoyerFrance & Portugal August 2021
    1

    Saturday September 11

    September 11, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    So we have been moving around alot and it is catching up! So today we had a beach day! But of course that was after the boys had their morning walk along the cliffs. This time Pierre joined them. This needs to be done in the morning as the days are still very warm.
    Sylvester, the property manager came to address some deficiencies in our unit, as their are many, including a TV that won't work and lack of and poor condition of furniture. Then we were off to the beach as we had reserved lounges and shades. It was busy at the beach as it is Saturday. The beach is very clean and shallow for a long way out. The boys had a swim but I only made it as far as my waist as it is cool.
    Aftwards back for a shower and clean up as we had 7pm reservations at the French restaurant in our condo complex. Very lovely and delicious and we sat outside but pricey and cool by the time we were done around 10pm.
    Also a small herd of goats and sheep seem to walk through daily! Lol    Read more

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