French Vineyard

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After Nimes we drove to Marseille and stayed two nights. It was amazing! Nice and hot, but the sun here doesn't burn like it does back home - so we are working on our tans. The scenery and buildings are incredible! There is so much to see. Our Hotel was right on the harbour with all the multi-multi-million-dollar super-yachts. We had dinner a couple of nights with Trevor & Julie Best (more kiwis here for The Cup). The waiter at the restaraunt they took us to was a real character who loved The All Blacks and on our final night in Marseille Trevor gave him a Silver Fern pin and he was stoked to bits with it - showing it off to all the other guests at the restaraunt! Next day we drove to Avignon and spent a few hours exploring more amazing sights. Then on to Lyon for a night where we caught up with T & J again, had dinner and watched SA destroy the hapless English. Later on that night we met up with Richard from Sarah's work and his partner Carrie. Yesterday we drove out to Richard's father's Chateau in a Vineyard in Le Bois D'Oingt which is a small village 30km from Lyon. We got the train back to Lyon and watched the All Blacks' B Team have a training run against Portugal. Then we met up with Richard's Uncle Claude who kindly drove everyone back to the Vineyard and last night we enjoyed the famous French hospitlity. Fantastic food, wine, and French Champagne! So today everyone is relaxing and chilling out and swmming. Yes they have a pool! C'est Manifique!!!

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Photos

The harbour of Marseille
Our hotel was across the other side.

Our French Host on the Vineyard
Richard's Dad is our willing host and chef...

Watching the ABs thump the galant Portuguese in a pub in Lyon
Steinlager S'il-vous-plait garcon!

NZ vs France
Richard's uncle Claude tries to tell John that despite the fact he thinks the ABs are gods the french will still win the cup. Dreamer.

Our home for a couple of days.
The chateau on the vineyard we are staying in where Richard's Dad lives.

Not a bad place to spend some time.
Beautiful views from the chateau of the idylic Beaujolais wine region.