Let them eat cake

I clearly picked Karla up wrong when she sold me the benefits of the Loire and it shows what a difference 2 letters can make. I thought she said that the area was full of the finest Gateaux and that their size, shape and appearance were worth 3 days in the area. Eagerly anticipating lashings of cream, raspeberries and chocolate imagine my disappointment when I find that the gateaux she is taking me to is made of stone, surrounded by water with beautiful topiary.

This afternoon (Sunday) we visited Chateau de Chenonceau which was spectacular to say the least. It has a chequered history, particularly in the female department and could have made a sensational rom-com in current times starring Colin Firth, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Anniston. In a nutshell King Colin was married to Angie, but fell in love with Jen and as king he was able to secure a private pad for her (Chenonceau). Jen spends considerable time and effort doing up the pad into one of the best in the area. King Col pops his clogs and his widow Ange then orders Jen out of Chen and gives her a smaller pad in the area. Ange then sets about putting her touches down, including building a grand hall over the bridge that Jen built across the river and digging up and replacing the garden Jen created, including replacing her rose bush with a fountain. Anyway between the 2 of them they created a spectacular home.

As per earlier email it is also where Mozza (Queen of Scots) lived with King Francois II as a child bride, so her graffiti still visible in the chapel was forgivable as she was only in her early teens. Certainly comparisons with current lifestyles in West of Scotland with teenage brides and vandalism.

Todays French observation - Why are there so many beware of deer road signs and yet we have never seen venison on any menu?

NORMAL SERVICE SHOULD BE RESUMED TOMORROW EVENING WHEN WE HIT THE DORDOGNE