Chenonceaux

Hey everyone!

This morning I allowed myself a bit of a sleep in and then had a couple of Skype sessions which was great :)

I checked out, and with great difficulty asked the man on reception if I could leave my bags and come back. I had to use my phrase book and my terrible French pronunciation haha. But we got there eventually! I decided to go to the supermarket and buy some fruit because I was unsure how big my next destination (Chenonceaux) was. And it's a good thing I did...keep reading to find out why!

I then picked up my bags and started the 40 minute walk to the station. It was really hard with my bags. Travelling alone is hard in terms of your luggage. Normally I would've walked to the supermarket and asked whoever I was with to mind my stuff while I popped in. You have to think and plan lots more by yourself!

Made it to the station and got my train all ok. Had a "conversation" with a lady on the platform. It consisted of one word questions and answers. Having fun trying to understand people here haha. 

The train was about a one hour journey, I then had to change in St Pierre des Corps and got a 25 minute train to Chenonceaux. And it's a good thing I went supermarket this morning because while it's a gorgeous little village, it's tiny! It seems the done thing is not to actually stay here, but rather get on a huge tourist bus from Paris which is only 200km away. But I wanted to stay in the Loire Valley so here I am! I checked into my hotel, put my things down and went walking. There is one shop in Chenonceaux, and it was closed! Luckily I found the tourist information place and the lady there told me to walk 700m to the next village for a shop (a conversation in english!! My first in days!). 

So I walked to the next village where I found a bakery. I stocked up for the next couple of days with bread, cheese, some pizza roll type things and a bottle of wine. I'm in the Loire Valley, it was cheap, why not?!

Tonight I had dinner at the hotel. I've had a bread and cheese dinner three nights in a row now and while I completely don't mind that, this hotel is really cute and I didn't really spend any money today. I had guinea fowl and polenta and then for dessert a crepe with chocolate and ice cream. Both were yum but the crepe - yummmm! Had forgotten how good crepes are in France. I also had a glass of wine!

Now I'm chilling in my room. I love it here, I'm so happy! After the crappy room at the last place the fact that this place is so nice is multiplied by about 5! I've been sitting in the room listening to music and singing along, eating some Brie that I bought and even got some washing done because there's a heated towel rail. The little things while travelling really do make a huge difference!!

I am so excited about tomorrow! Firstly - FOOTBALL IS BACK! Going to start the day off by watching Richmond vs Carlton on my iPad. Wish I could split myself in two and be at the MCG and then back in the Loire Valley! But never mind. Then after the footy I'm going to Chateau Chenonceau, something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl. Exciting times ahead!!!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox