Deja vu

Today, we are picking up our good friends, Jo Ann Hay and Richard Whitman from the Dijon train station. One email from me sparked this trip back in February for the four of us. I wrote to Jo Ann, "Are you still thinking of going to France for your anniversary this fall?"

They exchanged wedding vows aboard "Imagine" in 2000. Here they are back then:.

Here's the group of us waiting for a taxi on our first year cruising:

 

That's me, Jo Ann, cousin Renee, Richard and Gary.

 

 

We'll be celebrating their anniversary and my birthday together.

 



Along the Burgundy Canal

 The beautiful Burgundy Canal.

 

 

The towpath runs alongside, good for walking or biking.

 

 

A lockkeeper's house next to one of the locks.

The lockkeepers' well-tended gardens

Châteauneuf-en-Auxois

We're home in Burgundy, where we spent over five years (10 years worth of cruising seasons.) Paul & I stayed at a Chambre d'Hote, a B & B in Crugey, on the Burgundy Canal.

Those of you who cruised with us on this stretch know this small village as the "Summer Home of Santa Claus." He was still there, fishing in the canal.

We took a short drive to  Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, a favorite spot we've shared with many of you who have cruised with us.

It's still officially one of the five villages in Burgundy named Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of  France.")  Here's  an example why it qualifies:

View walking down the street, toward the ruins of the chateau.

We tried to go to our favorite creperie in town. They were open, but not for us. A large group had reserved for lunch. So, we ended up at "Le Grill du Castel." We've wanted to try this place in the past, so we decided it was fate.The chef grills over the open fire that provides great ambiance on a chilly, rainy day.

Jambon Persille, a Dijon favorite

 

 

Since this was our first true Burgundian meal, we went the full Monty: jambon persille, (ham, garlic and parsley terrine) followed by boeuf bourguignon, the classic beef stew. Great cheeses - chevre, tomme, and strong, gooey epaisses. For dessert, a light ile flottante, floating island. A formidable meal.

 

No escargot...yet.

 

 

The view down from Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. That's the canal below.

The view up the hill.

 

The "new house" built in the 12th century

We'll always have Paris

 

This is author Colette's tomb in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

She died in 1954, but she still has fresh flowers:

the banner is from "The friends of Colette."

There was only one tomb I had to see...Jim Morrison's. What can I say? It's why I came here.

For lunch, Le Cafe du Marche, on the Rue Cler, right near our hotel.

Following is my picture of the Eiffel Tower:

WORST EVER! It's there. I promise. See if you can spot it.

I'll give you a hint. It's kind of behind the tree.

In my defense, we were driving out through the streets of Paris, and I spotted the landmark, so I grabbed the camera as we were rolling. Sigh. At least you've all seen pictures of it before, right?

More pictures from Normandy D-Day beaches

The D-Day Beaches in Normandy

We stayed in Arromanches-Les-Bain, where the British built temporary Port Winston to launch the invasion, a feat of incredible engineering.

It's a pretty little tourist town now...

Filled with postcards and trinkets

WWII memorabilia is everywhere, including tanks in parking lots.

The museums tell the story of the momentous invasion.

The thousands of crosses and Stars of David, tell the story of sacrifice and bravery.

Normandy delights

My first Normandy dinner: Sole, fresh from the English Channel a few blocks away, local cheese assortment including rich Camembert, and apple sorbet with Calvados made from the nearby orchards.

Below is a true Normandy buckwheat crepe, which we had for lunch.