Got up, had a leisurely breakfast (alas, no grits), and planned a little car trip up the Loire River valley. Loaded up the GPS and headed out.
First Stop: Le Ceilier, France
Le Ceilier is a small ancient village on the banks of the Loire River. Beautiful little town, though, frankly, I haven't seen an ugly one over here. I pulled through here because it looked quite quaint and old as I toured through it on Google Earth.
Just before entering the village I pulled of at a little parkway and took the following pictures.
(Click on any picture to enlarge)
Beautiful area. I can't wait until spring fully arrives to see it coming to life.
Last Stop: Le Ceilier, France
It was here that Mr. Murphy showed his ugly hand. Returning to the car the little strap on the camera broke and it did a double-twisting-1 1/2 full Gaynor onto the rocks in the parking area. Now whether or not it powers up is a lottery running 6-2-and-even against. Sad because I had to cancel the rest of the trip and doubly so because this little Sony camera has been my friend on over 60,000 miles of road. It took all pictures on my Alaska trip, through the rain and cold, and just kept clicking right along. I'm gong to try to see if I can find someone who can check it out. Perhaps it's just a connection that needs repairing, but I suspect a new camera is in order.
Meanwhile, there were a few places we didn't get to today. I will show some highlights from off the web to whet the appetite, as they say. As soon as I have a camera and, perhaps, even Betsy, we'll make this trip and get the real (Kilroy was here) photos. Certainly are interesting potentials here.
Chateau_de_Clermont
I believe this is now owned by a famous French actor.
Chateau_de_Saumur
Chateau de Usse
And, knowing how I love the off-beat and unusual story, my favorite:
All this, and more, coming to a theater near you in the very near future.
Thinking spring will offer up an amazingly brilliant treat for the senses. You must explore Les Folies Siffait. Or, is it occupied? From the photo it appears to be just a little overtaken by vegetation, but it wouldn't surprise me if someone(s) planned it that way. So translate...was/is it a folly?
ReplyDeleteThe chateau was purchased by Maximilion Siffait, a customs collector, in 1816. It is thought the hanging gardens were started as a tribute of love to his wife, then, later, to his daughter who died before her 19th birthday. This may have been the beginning of his "madness," for the gardens contain fortress walls to defend nothing, fake windows, and sham fake ruins. After his death, his sone continued to work on the gardens adding more mystery, and many, many more types of plants.
ReplyDeleteThere are no drawings, plans, or early pictures to explain what they were doing...just another enigma. You know how I likes enigmas.
Wish I could spell "son" though.
ReplyDelete