AfricaEurope2007

Finally found an internet site, a pool hall that smells of cigarette smoke like a lot of Portugal and France.
We left Lisbon by easyjet flight to Paris, rushing to get an unallocated seat together after being bussed across the tarmac to our plane : then a rush to change terminals at Charles DG airport to catch the TGV train and a regional train to St Malo ; on the English channel coast, in NW France / Brittany.
This is a small walled town with a castle, that was and still is a major port ; now mostly ships in Brits on a day tour. Had a great walk around the wall then in amongst the lanes and streets and along the beaches. Full of tourists on day trips, but we found a nice bar and cafe further back, away from the main gate.
The second day we took a ferry to Dinard, a beach resort with great cliff walks, set up a bit like Portsea. Then toured a museum of St Malo set up in the castle, showing its maritime history back to the 1500s.
The St M hotel was about 300 years old, nicely fitted and great breakfasts ; our windows looked onto the outside wall of the town.
Yesterday by TGV and regional rail to Tours ; found our hotel room here had been trashed by the previous occupants, so we were moved to another hotel. This morning we toured two chateaux ; great buildings, great gardens, well preserved with furniture and tapestries. Tomorrow we will somehow cover 5 chateaux.
Weve found that English is not spoken much anywhere we have been, but my French has coped except for the trashed hotel room incident ; I was lost for acceptable French words. Service in the hotels has been just ok everywhere, as well. We have managed to find cafes or bars that are off the beaten track, and cheap
Today is Tuesday here, and we go to Paris on Thursday for some final culture.
Hope youve all enjoyed these travel rambles. There have been more hits than expected, so hope youre inspired to also visit the three countries weve seen ; all terrific in different ways.
It will be good to get back to traffic where the cars come at you from the right side of the road when crossing.
Regards
Rob and Ailsa