Bourgueil Vines

Took the children out on part of route 22 on their bikes. About five miles in Carys did a manoeuvre that Mark Cavendish would have been proud of and ended up with her first dose of road rash, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. Bless her she was ever so brave, my heart was in my mouth as I watched her go over. No idea what or how she did it as it was flat road and good tarmac. Anyway she was (after a packet of haribo and the removal of a very bent mud guard by Mummy) persuaded back onto the back to cycle back home. No sooner were we on the bikes the heavens opened, not been so lucky with the weather this year, but we got back home without further mishap.

Obviously road rash requires cleaning, Carys was not a fan of this needless to say and was feeling very sorry for herself. William was trying to look after her, but it was just easier to take him out. He has been asking to go into the Abbey here since he saw it when we first arrived, so that is where we went. Understandably it was all in French and initially the young guide tried to use some English, but we got on better when he stopped. I could pick up bits of what was said by him in French and could guess other stuff just by the look of it or the label attached to it. I will be reading up on it later. William was really good the whole time we were there. He asked sensible questions and was very interested in how the old Singer sewing machines worked and why the church and cloisters were destroyed in the revolution. It was all in all a good visit.

On the way home we wandered past the vineyards. On our last trip to the Loire we commented on not seeing many vineyards, this is certainly not true in Bourgueil, the countryside is full of them. I hope the weather we are having isn't too bad for the grapes on the vine.