Sunday July 29, St Jean d’Arderes

Life on the road...at least the washing dries quickly with the heat!

Woke to a beautiful fresh crisp morning, and it was time to say good by to Matt and Ange at eight as they headed off. Before we left NZ we had thoughts that we met head into Switzerland, but have decided to spend a quieter few weeks in France before heading to Spain, a good time for Ian to have some more recuperation from his surgery. He is really doing well, but finds long drives a bit taxing.
We had a cruisy morning, catching up on blogs etc. Had seen a Voie verte (bike path) about an hours drive away and decided a quieter day with some cycling would be good. Filled up with gas then stopped at an Aire at Beaujeu which had an “emptying “ station. The cycle track started at this town, but needed to find somewhere to park, so continued onto the town of Cercie and found a yard not far from the track where we could park. It was so good to get back on the bikes again and we had a good ride of about 20kms, and by the time we got back to the van at two it was really heating up. Had a bite of lunch then headed for a French Passion vineyard not far away. The signs welcomed us and directed us to park in the large field and to come to the cellar at 6 for a tasting. Drove across the paddocks to a great spot under some trees, something we look for with this summer heat. Did some washing and hung it out then relaxed for a few hours. Popped up to the cellar at six but no sign of life and even ringing the buzzer we couldn’t rouse anyone. About an hour later noticed a few people around so wandered up again and sure enough the owner was there along with his son. They couldn’t speak English but with my smattering of French and Ian’s “improving” French we managed to communicate. They had some very nice wines and we returned with a few more for the van’s “cellar”!!! it is so much better to buy after a tasting than straight from the supermarket as you never know what you are going to get, especially as we will probably be leaving the wine growing region tomorrow.
Very quiet here tonight and after the sun dropped the air cooled and it is so pleasant to sit outside and write the blog.

War Memorial in Belleville on our bike trail.

Riding through the vines, the bike paths are so good.

The delightful wine maker.

Sunset...and cooler air.