Day 29 16 August

It is still 15 August here in France and a public holiday as it is the Feast of the Assumption.  We are in Viviers, a small town steeped in history and preserved.  We walked the very narrow cobbled streets, visited the St Vincent Cathedral and climbed to have aperitifs at an original family home which was once a seminary for Cistercian Priests.  We were the guests of a French family.  The courtyard and garden were beautiful.  Just cannot describe it really - unreal in today's living in NZ.  

In the afternoon we sailed to Avignon.  We passed through many locks, one of which was 75 feet, quite a drop and an amazing experience to navigate through.  The afternoon for us was one of rest, reading and catching up on some emails.  We did not visit the truffle farm and Chateuneuf du Papes, but elected to have a quiet time on the boat.

It is a beautiful evening, so warm and mild.  We walked after dinner for a very short stroll. Tomorrow we  take a walking tour around Avignon.  I did not realise that this was the home of the Pope before the Vatican.  There is so much to learn wherever we go.

The wine continues to flow, meals are plentiful, the ship is very comfortable.  We are beginning to think about disembarkment, the trip to l'Hermitage the next challenge with train connections etc.  Our ship is moored alongside a very busy road, the first city intrusion in many days!  Will close the sliding door and put on the air conditioning and close down for the day.  Always good to hear from you.  Until tomorrow, love from us both from southern France.