4-8-2016: Day 12, Bordeaux

Four days in Bordeaux was our plan and it looks like a great idea.  

Folks in France we learned are in no hurry to start the day and we fall right into the local way of life.  We wander down to breakfast at 10 and they ask what we want.  Fruit bowl is a winner, the orange juice (with lemon!) is a winner, the omelet is outstanding and the bread - well, we all love the bread!  

It is time to shop and shock - there are just as many and possibly more men's stores than ladies!  We find a dude shop and it is fun!  We all find stuff for the guys and the guys look like locals!  And the prices are, believe it or not, not bad for the good stuff we got.  Jim goes next door and scores a sweater.  

Jim and Tina wish to find a special store and Krim and Clyde head to sight see.  Tina does good with a blouse picked by Jim but the weather outside is raining so Tina declares a Blog day in the room.  

Krim and Clyde walk the River and view the beautiful buildings.  Apparently the beautiful buildings were set along the river to hide the slums and it is quite a site.  We see the gate to the City erected to celebrate a victory in the 1400s that is worth a photo or 20.  The bridge, "Pont de Pierre" is a stone bridge in the Roman style and connects the two banks of Bordeaux on the Garonne River.   Next comes the Royal Palace with a famous fountain, the "Three Graces" sitting in front of the majestic buildings.  The designer also designed part of the Palace of Versilles in Paris.  Moving up the River we see the Esplanade des quinconces and it is impressive.  One of the largest open spaces in Europe it is used to stage events in the city.  Two columns rise a couple hundred feet to serve as a gate.  There are tents everywhere filling the area and it appears they are connected to a marathon to be held in the evening.  It is raining pretty hard so we hope for better weather for the run.

What a bunch of nice people we have meant in France.  So helpful and friendly.  We head out for dinner and even with a map and good instructions from the hotel we find a way to get off the track. As we stand, map in hand, up rides a lady on a bike and says, "are you lost". "Yes" says us and we hands her our map.  She looks, thinks and points "that-a-way".  Off we go and find it we do.  

Nice folks in the restaurant and they aim to please and turn out a pork dish to relish.  And of course the wine is always very nice.  Another lazy days follows and a nice blouse appears and afternoon coffee and a walk in the rain down rue Catherine that is for people only and no cars but lots of shops and lots of people.  

We dodge to the right to find Cathedale St. Andre and Oh, it is impressive!  France holds many of the major Cathedrals and this one, also known as the Cathedral of Bordeaux is a beauty. The Cathedral was begun in the 4th century and consecrated by the Pope in 1096. Saint Andrew (Andre) was one of Jesus 12 Apostles so he deserved to have a Cathedral carrying his name.  What a place with a length of more than 1,000 feet and a height of 270 feet.  It is just amazing to think something so large and impressive could be built so long ago.  A big 'ol Clock tower stands next to the cathedral more than 120 feet tall with a bell weighing in at over 17,000 pounds.  It is thought the bell tower was separate from the Cathedral to keep the vibrations from doing harm to the structure.