Left the chateau just before 10 and had an easy run to Frankfurt getting here about 3 Now in the qantas lounge and after a shower ready for our first leg to Singapore. Our last day in France was a quiet one getting our luggage together etc We did have time for another swim in the nearby river . Very refreshing and the fast current allows you to surf along the river bank Stopping over in Sydney for 4 hours so hope to catch up with Kirsten, Brett and Bella for a s...

Wed night was designated the night of the official dinner. Pat had hired the chef to prepare a meal for 39 The meal began with a champagne toast anf group photo on the steps of the chateau The group of Australians gave a rendition of Advance Australia Fair to start the dinner. The meal began with garlic prawns heavy with butter. A main course of beef in red wine with beautiful veggies came next. Strangely the cheese came next and this was followed by icecream...

The Great War Prior to leaving home we had done resarch on Marilyn's grandfather who had enlisted in 1916 and with the 6th Battlion had fought in France. We thought it would be good to vist some of the places he fought. It was about a 2 hour drive to the Somme and as soon as we got close we started to see war cemetries. A memorial at Poziers was quite emotional as a plaque descibed the battle for the bunker where 6th battlion were clearly involved. The huge lo...

Champagne One of the good things about the chateau is its location It is not just a place to stay but good for touring. On Tuesday we traveled a few km to Epernay which is the hub of the Champagne district. There are many producers but we chose Moet & Chandon to visit. A most interesting tour where we were taken to the Caves( Cellars) and were shown how Champagne is produced. A process originally worked out by the Monk Dom Perignon They have 18 miles of ce...

France The trip across France took 4 hours but it did not seem long as although we avoided tollways we still skipped along at a good speed sometimes as fast as 130k.m.h. We found the chateau easily and many of the others had already arrived and were quaffing half cold beers as the fridges were working overtime. No service station ice in this country. Great night and good catching up with our Whyalla friends and Pat and Barry's relatives from England. We have ...