Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Monday 7 May 2012

We’re on our way … almost

With less than a month to go before our trip the Loire Valley and having no news from my friends Mats and Vera, I was beginning to get nervous. Especially after mobilizing the entire Touraine blogger community for lunches, barbecues and drinks. But knowing that Mats has a very busy professional life, I didn’t want to bother him with minor issues, such as our travel plan or the financial arrangements. 

But apparently, great minds think alike … because today I received an email from Mats asking for more information about the program I sent him over a month ago. He was worried that it was too ‘ambitious’. Of course it is! You can’t ‘cram’ 12 years of experience into 6 days, can you? I explained that it was just ‘a program’ and that we would play it by ear once we were on location. That seemed to reassure him. 

Here’s a sneak preview

Mats and Vera will be arriving in Brussels on Saturday. We’ll have a light supper at my favourite Italian restaurant before they check into a nearby hotel. We’ll make it an early night because I guess they’ll be pretty tired after driving all the way down from Stockholm, where they will have left on Friday morning after attending Mats’ youngest daughter’s graduation. 

On Sunday, they’ll pick me up around 5 a.m. And then we’re off. We’ll take a short stop north of Paris, to have a coffee and a croissant. South of Paris we’ll have a longer stop, enjoying a real breakfast. By 9 a.m. we should be on the road again. And then, sometime between 10.30 and 11 a.m. we should be looking at this splendid scene, Amboise castle seen from the bridge over the Loire River, when you’re driving into Amboise from the north.

June 2008


Our first stop will be the weekly market to get food supplies for our evening picnic. Next there will be drinks at the foot of the castle and a nice Sunday lunch – Loire Valley style. I have selected three restaurants, two of which I’ve already been to and a third that was always very tired-looking in the past, but now has a new chef and a very attractive menu. I think we’ll try that one. 

In the afternoon I hope to – finally – visit the Gardens of Valmer Castle, a location that has been on my 'to-see-list’ since 2009, but never had the time/chance to visit in the past. As this is my third attempt, I'm pretty sure that I’ll make it this time.  

Stay tuned for the rest of the program …

10 comments:

Niall & Antoinette said...

Sounds a programme and a half! Nog even en je kan het start schot lossen :-)

Mark said...

I'm getting excited for you!
m.

Louise said...

Martine you sound like a girl after my own heart! I'm from a military family and I try to make every minute count, particularly when working with tight time frames...but I am sure you also lock in "loose minutes" for those times when circumstances outside your control...creep in! It all sounds fabulous...once again, I am green with envy! Louise

chm said...

Things are not settled yet, but I’ll be staying at Ken’s and Walt’s for the first few days of June. I’ll see you at least at S & S, before I go back to Paris. We then could have the lunch that didn’t materialize last year if you stop in Paris on your way back?

Carolyn said...

I am ready to hear more. You are a trip planner extraordinaire.

The Broad said...

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. Hope you take lots and lots of pictures -- and that you share them with us! Bon Voyage!

GaynorB said...

I think we will get to meet each other at S&S's but if you have any spare time you are very welcome to call in on us.

Jean said...

I was excited before but even more so now.....not long to go !!

ladybird said...

N&A, Ik ben al aan het aftellen. This year it will be even better because of all the lovely people I'll get to meet!

Mark, Thank you. Sorry you can't be there ... to shoot a photo of both us holding ... Bertie, the black cat that brought us together :)))

Louise, I like to plan in advance, but always, as you said, with room to improvise. That's what makes it fun. Wish you could be there too to share this fabulous blogger event at S&S's.

Chm, That's great news!!! We'll discuss the Paris option 'sur place', because I don't know what my friends have in mind for the return journey. But I do like the idea!

Carolyn, You are making me blush again :). Pity our travelling plans never seem to 'match'. But who knows, maybe one day ... x

Kathie, There will be photos, of course! How many? Can't tell right now, but I'll try not to disapppoint you. Little over 3 weeks to go!

Gaynor, Thank you so much for the invitation. I will have to confer with my friends. In the meanwhile, I'm really looking forward to meeting you at the party!!!

Jean, I don't realize it yet, but we'll be there before we know it. And yet, I can already see the five of us on the terrace of the 'golden gerbil' sipping a nice chilled rosé!

Leon Sims said...

And Sue and I are so sad that we miss catching up with every one.