As it was Bastille day and we were unsure what would be open later, we stupidly paid for breakfast at the motel which we turned up for as it was closing. A sad array of half baked products and watery remnants of scrambled egg. Even for 7 euros it was poor value. The weather had cheered up so we decided to climb up the Puy de Dome, the volcano which sat guard over Clermont. Sun was out and spirits were high, but as we got close we noticed cars parked all over the...

Woke to a rather pleasant woman bumbling in with a jug of good but cold coffee which Richard ordered last night. Weather looked dark and had rained during night. Checked out, leaving the Loire Valley behind us and heading into Puy area. We decided to book a motel in Clermont as we had had our fair share of luxury. This was our cheapest at €59 for the night. It was a simple drive to Clermont which is a huge industrial town in the volcanic Massif Centrale Area o...

Wake up to torrential rain again and head out to look at Chambord Chateau. To be truthful we are a bit Chateaued out but Chambord is the biggest and supposedly the best. Set in huge grounds that are larger than the city of Paris, the Chateau stands oddly in it's centre looking rather like an ornate white elephant. Generously you are allowed to walk right up to the chateau and the surrounding grounds without paying anything. Saying that the grounds weren't that sp...

Woke to warm sunshine and onward drive to Amboise. Stopped in small village for pain aux raisin and coffee. Magic of village inspired us and in some way we imagined a life here. Picked up a brochure of properties from immobilier. On to Amboise. Jaw droppingly beautiful sitting over the Loire. Parked up and walked to chateau. Very good audio tour. Little chapel inside containing body of Leonardo da Vinci who died in France. Interesting chateau tour. Spiral ramp f...

Woke to a rather evil looking sky. Headed out of Mont St. Michel and grabbed pastries for breakfast and two hefty baguettes for lunch. Weather rained on and off, so hood was up and down for most of the journey. Headed to Carnac to see the famous standing stones from about 6000 years ago. There are 3000 of them all aligned like marching men, 11 abreast. Unfortunately by the time we got there it was throwing it down but we braved a stroll amongst them. They were qu...