Such a long absence since my last blog. It's as if the heart has missed a few beats, while the summer heat dissipated languidly into long simmering nights.
It was a long trek to the Loire Valley - neary 400 miles each way. The fun came from the navigation system in the Jaguar, which clearly is not one of the most friendly systems to use.
The Chateau Hotel de la Barre, situated between Chartres and Tours, beckoned. The Sunday Times billed it as one of France's best chateau chambres d'hotes by a stretch. Or was it?
It was an ideal gateway to the Loire Valley Chateaux.
Chateau de la Barre
Part of a stone wall surrounding
the garden of the Chateau
The main dining room
Chambre Marin de Vanssay,
a delightful room with
extensive views of the garden
