The Garonne and the Dordogne

I realize that I am 2 days behind right now but the Internet connection in these small ports is beyond crummy – we may have to wait to dock at a more robust location to add some of the last 2-day images or commentary.

Tuesday morning and we have docked at the Dordogne port of Libourne. A thriving market, both indoor and outdoor, awaits our tours – and our money.

Eventually when I load some of the photos you will be able to see some of the great fresh meats, cheeses, fish and other food items that we encountered. For those of us who love olives will appreciate this image.

Fresh fish of all varieties dominated this river port city and how did we know that they were fresh? Not much in the way of a stale fish smell that's how!

 Could one die and go to cheese heaven?  I'm convinced for some this could be their fate.

The outdoor market has non-perishables such as clothes, hats, material, vegetables, fruits and items not susceptible to the growing heat of late May.




Heat and humidity, yes these are climatic items that do exist in other locations other than Kansas! Still the weather has been very kind to us, as I know that in the north of France and into Belgium, mist and cold reigns supreme, especially for the early hours of each day.

We were happy to strike our fortunes to shops that were open, as Sundays and Mondays are days of closure in this part of the world.

In the afternoon we boarded our buses to be taken through the gravel and limestone vineyards of Sainte Emilion, small compact “estates” of 5 – 10 acres of vines, largely struck down in late April this year, by a late frost. Some of the chateau vineyards in the area have been almost wiped out for the 2017 year – one or two leaves remain on the vine, and the vintners must wait until next growing season to start again.

St. Emilion is a delightful small village, perched high on a hilltop with expansive views across the vineyards of the surrounding areas. When I am able to post some images you too will agree that it is a village to return to, which is what we will do on Saturday this week.