We had several hours in Frankfurt airport because flight was delayed by an hour and a half. The delay gave us plenty of time to shop for gummy candy in the airport grocery store. Robin had an apple strudel (ok two but who's counting). It's a small world. We ran into Bonnie, a long time colleague from 7 North, in line for Seattle flight. They were on their way home from Italy. Way too many lines today. Pictured are girls and Robin in the final security line....

We had a surprisingly good dinner at the airport. Today was our 16th wedding anniversary. We are lucky people -- all four of us. I found a beautiful Hermes scarf for a mere 770 euros (cheaper than usual because it is duty free.). I restrained myself. Couldn't have bought it even if I'd wanted because the credit card didn't make it to the hotel. The girls and Dylan entertained each other in the airport. I hated to board the plane for Germany. France wa...

We took the 1138 train from Chinon to Tours in order to catch the TGV to CDG airport. Jane, Dylan, and Katherine played cards and chatted on the train. The F family had to catch an earlier train because some of the TGVs were already full. Train ride was uneventful in a good way. We enjoyed a bit of LK time on the TGV. The girls and I played some cards. Robin took a nap. All and all, it was pretty easy to get to CDG airport from the Loire valley thanks to t...

Jane and Maggie bought matching skirts. Amy treated Jane, Kat, and Maggie to a fun girls' day on the town of Chinon. They had a ball. Jane also fell in love with the pink hat in the picture. She wore it nonstop from the moment of purchase. Kat bought some trinkets -- soaps (of course!), a key chain, and a pretty little box.

Eric, Robin, and I rode from Chinon to Cande-st-Martin and back today. Around 40 km round trip, all lovely with perfect cycling weather. The town is billed as one of the loveliest in France and met expectations. Gorgeous stone houses and a great church, set on banks of the Loire. It was a nice final ride for our trip. While we were there, we met a French truck driver on the final few km of his 300 km bike tour vacation. He showed us his amazing bike which h...