By some miracle we got up at 7 and were out by 7.15. All quiet in Chasse sur la Rhône as we headed south to Vienne, so prettily situated on the river and looking inviting in the sunshine. But it was too early for breakfast so we continued down to Tain l’Hermitage and across to Tournon. The reason...Tain faces west so the sun was shining on east facing Tournon. Four Viking Cruisers were in, and crocodiles of passengers were trouping across the bridge.
Both towns had a market and it was all very jolly. We sought a boulangerie but despite tramping round the whole town there was none to be found, or at least none open. Could this be possible! Despondent, we returned to the main square where unexpectedly we found a pâtisserie. It really did not have the look of a cake shop! And a café next door where we sat and supped and watched four coachloads of floating tourists being whisked northwards. And one longship doing similar.
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| Crozes Hermitage vines |
And so we proceeded down past the orchards of the Rhône Valley, all pink with apricot and nectarine blossom. Then through Crest and into the Drôme hills. Went through an amazing gorge where the legendary words Mural Precipices were uttered more than once! Pretty villages, lavender fields neatly clipped, bare vines. Shopped at Valreas Leclerc and got home at 1.15. House intact, geraniums survived and anxious to be outside. Washing done. It’s warm.
