Sur Les Velos! (On the Bikes)

August 6th

We finally got on the bikes after 9 days in France.  It took Jay a few hours to put the bikes together since they were folded up with parts disconnected in our bright red 31" Samsonite suitcases.  Our first ride has been a favorite in the past and is still.  Starting in Beaune you wind your way along the Voie des Vignes (the way of the vines) through several small, very famous wine villages in Burgundy.  We made it to the village of Santenay where the route ends and found a table at the outdoor cafe in the main square.  While we were having a cafe the young couple sitting next to us started up a conversation.  They are from Leister, which is a little NW of Birmingham, and are on a month long car trip going through France and Spain.  They were just a bundle of joy and so fun to talk with we were sorry when they had to leave.  Once we finished our little break we rode back toward Beaune to a picnic area for lunch.  We typically share a sandwich from the boulangerie around the corner, along with some fruit, a few chips, a coke and of course Jay has to have a cookie or two.  The ride has several inclines going and returning but my "little engine that could" sailed up the hills.  In the past I would have been wiped out in this heat but not this time!  When Jay arrived at the top of one of the hills he told me that I now know how he has felt for several years...so I just had to repeat that sentiment right back to him!

Saturday is Market day in Beaune and boy do they pull out all the stops.  The venders have such beautiful displays it's hard to mess them up in order to purchase something.  We were in search of ingredients for our dinner...a salad nicoise.  I had purchased really good canned tuna from the fromagerie so needed the veggies to complete the recipe. I have to say it was fun cooking dinner and staying in for the evening...after we went out for a glass of wine at Bar a Vin 66 of course.😉