Here’s some more photos for you. Around here they play the game of “confuse the tourist” by closing in the afternoon and closing for holidays.

On the other hand, people so far have been very kind with our lack of much palaver in French. Gotta like that.

The menu read “minced meat over frites” to which I wondered “what the heck is that?”

Turns out it’s a hamburger with gravy over French fries and white asparagus.

It’s also quite tasty! Definitely the addition of the asparagus really is a fine way to do it.

Walk of Tournon. Came across a wine tasting from other countries. The wisteria is everywhere.

A day in Tournon-sur-Rhône. We went on a walking tour to the vineyards of Tain L’Hermitage.

They often trim the vines close to the ground where it’s warmer.

In other areas they train the vines up individual posts instead of a trellis.

As you can see, the hill is quite steep.

Very rocky soil.

…and a stop at the chocolate factory! Valrhona, it’s called. Which we unknowingly will use later in our journey in Paris to make chocolate lava cakes in our cooking class.

This morning we enjoyed a bike tour through part of Lyon. They have a lovely version of Portland’s waterfront park.

Here we enter Parc de la Tête d’Or. Such a pretty place!

Here we are in one of the nifty greenhouses full of fragrant and interesting plants from around the world.

In addition to the botanical gardens and the rose gardens this place also has a zoo! If you look close in the background you’ll also see a zebra.

Giraffes! I didn’t think I’d care much for the park, but it’s definitely a class act and well worth a visit.

Art Museum

Here in Lyon along the river there’s quite a few river barges that people live on. I took a photo of this one because of the painting on the bow which we think is titled “Love Nest”

What’s made of rocks and is on top of a hill?

Why, it’s the set for the last episode of Game of Thrones! Either that or a rollicking game of Dungeons and Dragons and Tourists.

The modern world bypassed this small walled town when the roads and railways were built in the valleys. It was slowly being abandoned when the mayor put together a revitalization plan and saved the place. They say about a hundred people still live there. It’s a view back to the 1400’s and definitely a pretty place to visit.

Start the day with early yoga and a three hour bike ride after breakfast.Went along the Rhone and saw numerous river boats that were retrofitted as bars and restaurants. We had to cross through the Viking to get to the shore. Headed to the park and past Interpol.

Bourdogne wine country. Burgandy wines are chardonnay or pinot. On short stubby vines. They were burning candles and straw bales overnight to add warmth due to frost. Dont ask for any wine except burgandy produced or you are subject to the stink eye. The hospital for the poor was a highlight in Beaune.Back to Chalon for lunch on the boat and a walk with Drazen. Our Croatian activity director.