Beautiful Beaune in Burgundy

Friday 18th September

Surprisingly when we arrived at the Baggage claim at Lyon Airport there was Ewan to claim us!

Andy had booked a 7 seater car to accommodate the 6 of us and all of our baggage for the hour long trip north to Beaune. A great idea but it actually meant that someone had to squeeze into the very back seat surrounded by bags. Somehow Jude drew the short straw - see photo!  We did check on her periodically during the journey to make sure she hadn't been squashed or suffocated.

Finally we drove into Beaune and I mean that literally: Andy actually drove the car but everyone seemed to feel they should assist with advice on navigation,  road rules, speed limits and anything else they felt Andy would benefit from.  It's a miracle that he is still talking to us.

Our destination was Beaune because Jude and Graeme bought a 2-bedroom attic apartment in Beaune more than three years ago. 

Beaune is a beautiful old town with the oldest part enclosed by a solid stone wall and ramparts.  No skyscrapers in sight, just lovely stone and brick buildings in winding cobblestoned streets peppered with tiny squares.

Being located in the Burgundy region means that the primary industry is wine so there are vineyards right on the outskirts of town and every second shop is a wine merchant or bar. ..or a gourmet restaurant or food store.  Because of all of those elements it is a tourist town, as what is there not to like? !!

There are plenty of churches and every hour, half hour and quarter hour bells mark the time: fortunately they stop at 10 pm and start at 6 am (which is a little early for holiday makers like us!!).

After we'd dragged our bags up the steep spiral staircase to reach the apartment and sorted out beds and sofa bed we were all feeling tired and hungry.  It's amazing how doing very little all day can be so exhausting.
A quick kebab and a first red wine at a local bar and everyone was happy to fall into bed.

Today we mooched around getting to know the geography of Beaune.  Jum (Jude's mum's cousin), Sam and Gillian arrived so we chatted to them and some of us headed off to familiarise them (and us) with the neighbourhood.

Meanwhile there was the compulsory trip to the Orange shop and the electronics section of LeClerc, a huge supermarket, (Ewan), lots of photos taken ( Graz), some household chores (Graeme ) and a lovely trip on the Beaune tourist bus - Jude, Jum, Sam, Gillian and I.

The tourist bus was like a larger version of the Popemobile so we could see through the roof and the sides.  I had hoped that the tour would help me make some sense of the winding streets and prevent me getting lost. ...but time will tell on that one!

By the time we had reassembled late in the afternoon Graz had discovered a free medieval music concert so off we went for our dose of culture for the day. It was two very accomplished classical guitarists who played for about an hour without amplification: the sound reverberated around the domed roof of the hall and it was just a lovely way to finish the day.

We set off for home for homemade cauliflower soup, cheese,  pates and, of course, baguettes.  Jude whipped up a tarte tatin for dessert and finally a very vocal game of 500, accompanied by Polish vodka, ended a wonderful first day in Beaune.

Au revoir for now

Dianne

PS: I have enclosed some photos of the food available here in the delicatessen: snails stuffed with garlic butter,  pig snouts in jelly, tongues in aspic, and parsley encased pate. Not sure about some of that!  DA.