Although we are in the Loire Valley we haven't yet seen a lot of the Loire river itself so we plan a route to remedy that. But first we must go back to the farm to say 'thank you' to our hosts. Instead of buying wine we leave with two big bags of apples from the farm, €3.50 for 2kg. Heading north we reach Langeais and cross the Loire over a substantial bridge on the other side of which is a car park where we stop to take a good look. We don't remember ever s...

Welcome to the machine, says a Pink Floyd track. Here at the Musee de Maurice Dufresne there are thousands of machines all collected by the museum's namesake over a 50 year period. From steam engines and tractors and bulldozers to factor generating plants, farm implements, tools, cars, lorries, aeroplanes, looms dating back to 1630, and a fully restored guillotine. Some are world-unique examples. There is also a water wheel working a huge press. Basically if...

Lovely warm morning. C+P enjoy the leisure of no having to rush away from a France Passion. We say goodbye to the owners and drive back through Cravant les Coteaux, stopping at the boulangerie for bread and goodies. Pretty ride to L'ile-Bouchard to use the service point and supermarket then along more pretty roads of vineyards and farms to the chateau at Usse. We have lunch then Ali, Chris and Paul go fo 'a quick look' at the chateau. The quick look turns in...

After breakfast we plan a route and set off for Fontevraud L'Abbaye, passing some vineyards along the way. The aire is a bit tricky to find but once parked we are soon up in the main square enjoying a coffee in the sunshine, before crossing the road to visit the abbaye. We weren't quite sure what to expect there, but as we wander around we become more and more impressed at each part. In contrast to the fine white stone and classic slate of most of the complex,...

We leave St Maure le Touraine at 11:00 North then west along the north bank of the Rhone towards Chinon. It's much prettier than our last few journeys through the Loire which have been grey or rainy. We pass lots of vineyards, some with pickers at work. Nearing Chinon we are alongside the river for a while before heading through the outskirts of the town and crossing the river again to the south side. From here there are fewer vines but more trees and rolling...