Citea Aparthotel Clermont Ferrand Gerzat

11/06

This morning we decided to pack the car and go after lunch so I could do the washing. This is when I checked out and was told we stayed one day too long. Anyway we made our way across the south of France then we turn right to the centre to head north ...

... of the cones, as the Michelin guidebook said the view was best at sunset. All around we could see smaller volcanoes, some with craters and some dome-shaped, all now covered in trees, silhouetted by the setting sun. An extra show was provided by half a dozen paragliders hurling themselves off the summit then hovering on the updrafts - a surreal ...

... opportunity to make our lunch which usually consisted of a baguette filled with pate, cheese and or meat. We would stop along the way some where for lunch in a park or a Chateau. The cruising along the canals was incredible especially going through the locks. One part took us over one of the longest viaduct in Europe at a place called Briare where we stayed for the night. The first couple of days was heavy going but my knees and legs settled down that ...

... for camping. The town was beautiful and the road to the camp site took us up steep hills with ever changing views, but eventually we were too far out and too high up (it was windy and cold), so we gave up the hunt. Returning down the mountain we continued through Ambert and finally settled on Municipal Camping Le Metz at Arlanc. The site is less manicured than the previous night, but the facilities in the main block are ...

... felt he saw in his country, he agreed to head a government in "Free France" (now usually called "Vichy France") after agreeing to allow the Germans to occupy 3/5 of the nation. After the war he was sentenced to death for treason but had the punishment commuted to life in prison by Charles de Gaulle, on account of his service in WWI. I can't help but think about that history as I drive through Vichy. A great man, a talented, and courageous and ...

On Le Weekend we met a group of the French kids and clearly they fell in love with us. So shortly after that weekend they wanted to party with us again as soon as they could. And did we ever. Quentin had a number of us over to get to know us a little better. A couple 40s later we were much better acquainted. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

... in Clermont, so they are really athletic). And we watched and laid there on the beach. We then went back, showered and got to go out for the most interesting meal I have had since I have been here. The restaurant is the Brasseau. Great food. We ordered everything. I think there was about nine or ten of us and everything got something different. Kate got salmon and rice, Chelsea sausage and sauerkraut and I had duck and fries (yes a weird combo, but the French seem to love it ...

So, on September 1 we headed to the Gare de Lyon and made our way down to Vichy. Its about 3 hours by regular train south to Vichy. When I got the station a girl from my school met me and took me right to my dorm. I was super nervous about this. I really wanted something nice to live in, and thankfully my dorm is perfect for me. It was super clean, had a shower, with pressure, toilet, and kitchenette ...

... and one has a drug problem. Oh-la-la! 2. Racy television programs. Last night I was watching a show and a warning came out, just like our warning in the states. The screen flashed red and yellow and said, "The following program is not suitable for children under the age of 12." So I shrugged my shoulders and thought of my students this past year....twelve, huh? So maybe there would be some cursing and a few inappropriate kissing ...

Mida lähemale linnale, seda vichysemaks ja vesiseks ka ilm kiskus. Seetõttu polnud me seal väga entusiastlikud turistid ja käisime vaid tiiru linnas ning maitsesime kraanidest vett. Tegemist oli sooja ja väga ebameeldiva maitselise veega. Seega 0,3 € topsi ostmine vee degusteerimiseks oli üsna mõttetu. Vichy külastamist jääb meile meenutama karp pastille.