In Tours: day two

September 20, 2024

We’re happy to report that we’re both showing signs of improvement, but there’s not much beyond that to share because we’re both taking it easy. The highlight of the day is again our outing for lunch which we head over to Plumereau Square for, showing up at noon in front of our two favorites because a reservation in advance doesn’t seem to be an option today so we wanted to show up early. We compare the two options and a couple of others - this block on Rue de Grand Marche just east of the square is restaurant row - and happily settle in at our favorite, Restaurant Le Lys.

Another view of the Basilica of Saint Martin.

On the Rue de Grand Marche. On the left is the Blanche Plume, one of our not selected restaurants.

Lunch was excellent again. In a rare event we both ordered the same dish, a complete duck breast. Rachael, who of course has a better taster than me, reports that the caramel sauce was excellent. When we placed the order I also ordered cheesecake for myself, but we were both stuffed after our filling main. In a humorous surprise though, my request to forget the dessert was misunderstood. Somehow we managed though.

After our meal there’s another surprise when Rachael says she’d like to join me for the short walk along the river I’d planned after lunch. It’s a healthy sign, the first time in days that she’s shown any interest in any kind of walk. Another good sign is that she can hear well enough again that we can have an almost normal conversation.

It’s not a long walk, maybe an hour as we take it slow enjoying the sights between the Napoleon and Wilson Bridges. It’s very nice, and just long enough - it feels like it’s about to start sprinkling when we leave the river and head back to our charming apartment.

An interview, or maybe the production of a podcast.

The Wilson Bridge: 15 arches, built between 1765 and 1778, the oldest bridge in Tours.

Depth gauge, flood crests, and river distances.

The towns are listed geographically in downstream sequence, starting with Briere on the top left and ending at Saint Nazaire at the mouth of the river on the Atlantic. I assume numbers in the left column are distance in river miles from Tours, but I have no idea what the other column represents.

Floods haven’t been a particularly rare event.

The east side of the Wilson Bridge. It was renamed for Woodrow Wilson after World War I. The American forces entered Tours in late 1917 and stayed for the next two years, using it as its largest logistics base in Europe for the rest of the war.

In front of another sand bar on the Loire.

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Graham FinchIt's great to see that you both seem to be doing OK and I spotted that glass of wine... I knew it wouldn't be long.
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1 month ago

Scott AndersonTo Graham FinchThat was a product placement for your benefit. I doubt we’ll be seeing many beer shots for the rest of the tour but this will work fine too.
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1 month ago

Patrick O'HaraGlad to see you both have the energy for a walk.
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1 month ago

Kathleen JonesFeeling better that you’re both feeling better.
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1 month ago