I recently checked out the Van Gogh Experience - a traveling exhibit about Van Gogh and his work. Interesting. I also have a Bike Friday like you all do! :)

You mention bringing the bikes on the high speed train. The actual TGV? If so, is there somewhere to put them at the end of the train's carriage? Next year when my son and I cover essentially the same route along the Loire we plan to take the train from CDG to the start and then from the end back to Paris. We will have our folding Dahons and I think we can bring them on board.
In a note about greasy hands... in my touring tool kit I bring along a few sets of nitrile medical gloves for any dirty work. They are tough enough that they can often be re-used for this purpose (of course, not if used in a medical setting).
And finally... I love the look of that bright yellow BF. If you ever decide to upgrade and look to get rid of that one... please let me know!! :)

I'm pretending ignorance here but of course there's no mystery about who the BF owners are. It was thrilling to meet you both and discover your journals. Still pretending that I'm right there with you on your continued adventures across southern France.

I hope so too Rachael. Still angling for a late January meetup in Tucson.

Thanks again for taking this photo and shipping a copy to us so we could include it in our journal. It was so lucky that we loitered around long enough the next morning to meet up with you when we were departing!

You’re right. Ho, hum, here’s another chateau.

It was so great meeting you! I’m still lusting over the yellow bike Friday! I hope we get to meet again sometime and get to visit longer.

Roots indeed Kathleen. Since making that connection I've felt France calling my name, even more so now that we've had the good fortune to have a nice long visit.

Wow. Now those are deep roots. How wonderful to see that monument.

Beautiful!

Brent, thanks for the welcome and motivation to get back to finishing the journal.

Thanks for the warm welcome Kathleen! I look forward to learning from your extensive journals. Can't wait to get back and do some more poking around Europe ourselves.

So happy you are here. We are just home from a tour ourselves and that is my excuse for just finding your journal now. Welcome and I am settling in for a lovely read.

Thanks for coming over to CB. Just today my son and I decided to resume planning our Loire tour after the covid hiatus. I'm enjoying your journal and pics of the area - opportune!

We will have to make a point to faire du pique-nique more often