The sun is out!!!!

After a few days of cloudy and sometimes foggy or hazy weather, the sun has come out today and we have put away our coats and jumpers and got out our shorts.  Despite the weather we have had a couple of wonderful days exploring different areas of Burgundy.

Yesterday we went north.  Our first point of call was a little village called Semur en Auxois, one of the "Plus belle villages de France".  It is a mediaeval village set atop of hill with four major towers towering above the village.  We did the recommended walk through the village and found ourselves besides raging rivers, on very old bridges, roaming the ramparts and wandering up narrow alleys lined with cobblestones.  Did someone say cobblestones - I HATE COBBLESTONES!!!!!  One of the best things we saw was a poster advertising the fact that they are having a mediaeval fair there this weekend so we are off again to Semur on Saturday. 

From there we headed to the Abbaye de Fontenay.  Abbeys are always in beautiful locations and are a delight for the eye.  And this one was no different.  We didn't go in but enjoyed seeing this restored masterpiece.  In March, at the battlefield of Alesia, a new museum was opened depicting Julius Caesar's battle with the Gauls in 52 BC.  We spent a couple of hours here in this wonderful hands on museum.  Audio guides, demonstrations of battle techniques, film and Roman camps all added to our understanding of this event.  John of course could fill in the detail.  What would I do without him and his amazing historical knowledge. 

Flavigny was our next stop.  This little village is where the film Chocolat was set.  Very pretty and the home of the anis seed and consequently aniseed balls etc.  We had a lovely wander around this little village and then headed home.  It was a very relaxing and greatly enjoyable day.

Today was equally as enjoyable though involved a bit more driving.  We headed off for our first stop of Vezelay where the church of St Madeline is supposed to be the best in the area.  We were a bit underwhelmed but had a good walk and coffee and pastries.  I have convinced myself that because pastries are from France they are not fattening and have developed quite a large affection for la tarte citron.  Our next stop was Guedelon and this was absolutely incredible.  Here they are building a 13th century castle from scratch using tools and techniques from the 13th century only.  It was mindblowing to see this castle rising from an old quarry site and we had an enthralled couple of hours here.  Seahas, this has to be a must see while you are in Burgundy.

Paddy recommended we go to the race circuit at Magny Cours - as he said the Bathurst of France and one of the best racing tracks in Europe.  It is also going to be the site of the French F1 next year so I persuaded John to take me.  We were not sure what we would be able to see there but it turned out we could go and sit in the stands and there were a few cars obviously having a practice.  Really enjoyed this. 

Another good thing about today was that the sun came out and we have some hope it might now stay that way.  Our delightful hosts are so good to us and we are going to have dinner with them tomorrow night.  Having a wonderful time in a most delightful area of a most delightful country.

Deb and John