Super Saturday

 

I was up and out by 8am, 7am UK time, and ready to take in as much of Limoges as I could.

First stop was  petite  dejeuner. I opted for croissant, espresso and orange juice, although some of the hardcore locals were on beer  and wine.

I then set off to walk  to the charity shop that I had found on the internet, sadly it was closed down, so any hopes of French linens were once again thwarted. However this  was quickly forgotten as I set off walking, and walking, and walking. I had clocked up 6k steps before I knew it. 

I also got drenched in a downpour but never one to be knocked back I soldiered on.

I am staying in what they call the medieval town, which is standing  high overlooking the river Vienne, with the cathedral at the top.

A trip into the botanical gardens, nxt to the Cathedral, made me realise how high up we are, although walking up and down the roads I did really know this and it  has seriously given me a much needed work out. today my legs, and derriere really are aching.

The gardens themselves are stunning, from the 'wild' area to the formal gardens. so beautiful

I then decided that having now got more steps under my belt it was time for lunch, so I wandered into the bountiful square in the medieval town, that now housed restaurants. Sitting outside as the sun had now come out, I watched the locals going about their Saturday business. It was very easy to imagine this in the medieval age with animals wandering around the cobbled streets and people going about their daily life.

And then lunch arrived 

A chilled rose with smoked salmon, avocado and quails eggs on toasted baguette. It was just perfect and exactly what I needed.

I followed this with cafe gourmand, wow, and wow again, it was exceptional. There was mini creme brulee, cheesecake, mango sorbet and hot chocolate volcano sponge.

I will be dong this when I get home

I wandered up to the Cathedral, which is a fabulous gothic building, breathtaking and also having work done on it in places. 

Stunning inside as well as out and the gargoyles were still doing their job well with the rain that kept falling.

I nipped back to the apartment and ended up having a nap for half an hour and then set off to catch the petit train tour.

This was my chance to see more of Limoges, it took an hour and it was brilliant, well worth the not too pricey price tag and seeing things that I may not have seen in my time here.

It  was funny driving though the streets on the mini train and being waved at from pavements and cars.

Hotel de Ville

Limoges Benedictins train station

This amazing station , which sadly my photo does not do justice to, is listed as an historical monument.it was built in a combination  the Art Nouveau and Art deco style and was built on a former Benedictine monastery and leprosy hospital. The clock tower is taller than that at the Gare de Lyon in Paris.

The station is also built above the tracks and not along side them.

Stunning building.

The tour ended where it started at the tourist office and I wandered round looking at the over priced pieces of mass produced porcelain, not what I wanted.

The one thing that I have found is that the people are very friendly, and smiles are always returned with smiles and a friendly 'bonjour'

Wearily I walked home, and decided that I was too tired to get changed and head out, so I would cook at home, and that I did after a glass of chilled cremant D'Alsace  and nibbles. Chicken cordon bleu with lambs lettuce, mini plum tomatoes and coleslaw, followed by chestnut mousse, it was very nice. sadly, not homemade, all shop bought but tasty just the same.

bed followed not long after that.

today is another day, I am just preparing my petite dejeuner and then will head out for more  exploring.

I wish you all a peaceful Sunday.