You have a lot of time to think when you spend the day on your bike wandering around the Loire region of France. Here s what I ve been thinking about
This area would be a little dull without all the chateaux (castles) but I guess that s like saying Las Vegas would be boring without all the casinos and the Grand Canyon would be dull without the canyon part. The Loire is basically fertile flat farmland and vineyards dotted with small interesting villages and towns and then boom an amazing castle or 500 year old church appears.
The Simpsons is on TV here all the time. And the voice actor who does Homer is amazing. He sounds exactly like him but in French of course. And somehow when Homer speaks in French he sounds a lot smarter. Even doh sounds sophisticated.
I m a bit obsessed with the fields of dead sunflowers I pass by and have taken scores of photos. They seem sad like the huddled masses lining up at Ellis Island.
You have to plan ahead and load up on water and snacks before all the markets take they mid day break from noon to 2 00 or 2 30. I ve been caught short a couple of times. And everything is closed on Sundays.
NCIS is also on all the time over here and the voice actor who plays Gibbs doesn t have to say much. But Gibbs is cool in any language.
They make great sandwiches here and you can get them at most boulangeries/pastry shops. The key to a good sandwich is the bread and baguettes are a sensational start. Add some jambon (ham) frommage (cheese) and crudities (salad stuff) and and an Orangina and you re in business for 5 or 6 Euros.
It s apple season and everywhere I go there they are tart green ones and sweeter red ones. I know this because I ve plucked a few off a tree close to the road. I m not condoning this but in my defense how can you not I do limit myself to one a day. I haven t picked any grapes yet that just seems wrong.
Yes there are mosquitoes in France. A lot of them.
French translations into English are often funny especially on menus. For example
On the inside of the door of my hotel in Chinon the English translation of the French sentence above it reads Thought you of lowering heaters and switching off lights.
Inside the castle in Bois an informational sign reads Did you know that the King has the fidgets This might be what killed him.
This was all on one menu Declination of tomatoes Presented carpaccio Prepared a base of river fish.
Perhaps I could make a living over here proofreading and correcting English translations for restaurants hotels and museums.
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