Before leaving home we had this wonderful thought of how we would spend our time in Burgundy. Canals and cycles was somewhere near the top of our wish list. So today, being gloriously fine, we head off in search of “the canal”. We had thought we could just go to the end of the road, get on a bike, and gently ride alongside the canal with our bread stick, cheese and wine. Wouldn’t life be grand if that could really happen. Instead we need to drive about forty kilometres to the town of Pouilly-en-Auxois where we can access the Canal de Bourgogne. This canal connects the Burgundy region with Paris and is the shortest way of traveling the distance. With all the locks it probably isn’t the quickest way. Once we reach Pouilly-en-Auxois it proves a ... read more

We take our time waking up this morning. We are allowed to. It is Burgundy, we’re on holiday, we’re here to relax. After we leave this apartment we haven’t got anywhere to stay so we better start planning ahead. Finally we find suitable accommodation in Nancy, about four hours drive north of Beaune. It is another apartment, much younger than our present location. During our previous trip we fell in love with Leclerc shopping centres. They are fresh, modern, and full of wonderful surprises. Late this morning we pay Mr Leclerc a visit. We enjoy the trundle around his shop with our special wheeled shopping basket that bumps over every join in the endless number of flooring tiles. It must be annoying to the other shoppers who push their overflowing silent shopping trolleys along aisle after ... read more

The day looks much better this morning as we wake to the sounds of the rural countryside. Birds and tractors but no animals. The fields all around are full of maize and wheat. The pool looks inviting but the temperature hasn’t quite got there yet, maybe later in the week. Unfortunately we won’t be here. Our accommodation has only coffee making facilities so a fresh fruit breakfast is all we need after last night’s fantastic meal. Our hosts go off to work leaving us to lock up. Trusting. Our first stop today is the historic town of Cluny. Yesterday our brief visit confirmed it was a “must see” town. We didn’t realize its importance in history until now. The abbey that once filled much of the town in the 11th century was the largest in Europe ... read more

We wake to an overcast day, better than the predicted rain, but going by the low cloud covering the mountains we’re not hopeful of staying dry. We have the makings of an in-room breakfast but we need some milk. We can’t really go to reception for some so one adventurer heads off for some supplies. Hopefully it will only take a few minutes to find the nearest supermarket. We have a special appointment at 9:30 am. In the car park the thirty-something Porsche sports cars are heading off on their tour. It’ll be peaceful tonight. The supermarket was down the road, around the corner, down another road, and after fifteen minutes destination was reached. Pastries! What a treat. She who needs to be fed will be thrilled. A short cut is found to get back to ... read more

Turin, the home of Fiat. Why did we want to stay here? Originally we had planned for a three night stay but as it got closer to book our accommodation we decided two nights would be enough. After yesterday’s awful drive we are pleased we decided on two nights. Our apartment is comfortable and we don’t mind the slow start today. Once we get ourselves organized we’ll visit a tabacchi and buy two 24 hour bus tickets. It is only a short distance into the centre of Turin but the bus is best. Last night’s washing is dry, a breakfast of cereals, yoghurt and some brioche filled with apricot jam purchased that morning (we think baked the day before), the day planned, and we’re off. We walk to the nearest tabacchi, not that close, and get ... read more