We left off, last episode in the stunning Pyrenees. After soaking in the luxurious views these mountains have to offer, we slowly made our way back up North to Normandy, staying in small, cute cottages, known as 'Gites'. We gave ourselves a couple of months to wander before finally returning to Cherbourg, to check up on Chloe's welding progress.
There's lots to see on the way. Frances gorgeous, un-commecialized countryside offers miles and miles of picture postcard views. It's actually tough to pick and choose the photo's for our blog.
Being the geek's that we are, we stopped off at a few 'technology sites' along the way including Tourlouse's Airbus site and Cherbourg's very own "City of the Sea", a really cool display of underwater exploration subs that all seem to belong in a James Bond movie.
Above, is our little trip video of some highlights...
Van Gough's rolls balls - everywhere...
France is just full of knock-out views.
We also visited the Le Mans 24hour race track and it's associated car museum. A very good display of all types of cars but with an emphasis on formulae #1 cars of the past!
Dawn tried hard to drop Peter off in the Paradarc caves that run at least 22km under the ground. 10/10 for the Padarac caves.
We also stopped off at the Lasraux cave's where cave drawings of Wooly Mammoths and Horses and Gazelles we discovered. Unfortunately, this was a "No-photos-Please" cave.. a small electric train drives passengers to the ancient cave drawings while a tour guide points them out under dim torch light. A good tour, but not one that lends itself to much video... you'll have to go see it for yourself, sorry.
Back in Cherbourg, we checked up on Chloe's hull welding progress - she is bang on schedule and has three months of welding work to go and is looking great! Her Tack Welding phase is well underway such that we were able to get up inside her to inspect the structure. Again, fantastic workmanship from Garcia Yachting.
We coincided our tour to hit Cherbourg at the time of the Drheam Cup Sailing race. Lots of high tech, lightweight sail boats on show. A 736 mile race from La Trinite-Sur-Mer to Cherbourg.
Next Episode, our Schengen visas are up - so we have to leave Europe.
We're leaving the EU for a tour a new land, often referred to as the meeting point, or Center, of the world's cultures... we're very also planning to do a couple of weeks of sailing there and to spend some time with Peter's nieces as they visit from Scotland.
We loved France. Especially the way they that their culture emphasizes the environment by preventing ugly commercial advertising from littering their views. Hopefully other countries will evolve to do the same...
