On this day last year I was hiking the fjords in Norway on my way to the North Pole. This year I am making my way through the Dordogne region of France. Yesterday was a pretty drive through the Gascogne National Park and a visit to the beautiful medieval towns of Bazas and Saint-Macaire before stopping overnight in Libourne, but not before seeing the wine mecca of Saint-Emilion. I think if I was a wine snob this is where I would like to live! For over 50km I drove through the vineyards of the Bordeaux region (and had to stop at a few). Last night I had the duck but being in the major wine production area in Europe I also found a pretty nice beer, first brewed by the monks using the lees from the grapes (of course) to produce a red coloured local beer - delicious.
Today a short drive north to the town of Blaye to see the most amazing and well preserved Citadelle de Vauban (built in 1689), which was built to help protect Bordeaux against sea invasion as it overlooks the largest estuary in Europe. And it was completely free to visit (amazing!). The estuary is the meeting place of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and is largely responsible for the climate and conditions necessary for producing the world’s most famous wines. The estuary is even home to the only species of sturgeon found naturally in Western Europe. It was then a 2 hour drive to tonights stop in Bergerac in the heart of the Dordogne valley. I must have passed another 1,000 vineyards and so many Chateau's. It seemed like there was one every 500m. Tonight in Bergerac I had for dinner the medaillon poulet sauce orange et carottes- Sensational - then for desert Rum baba.
Yesterday's Pics
Todays Pics including tonights dinner!
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