The Tour and Train in Tournon
This morning we sailed into and docked at Tournon. This picturesque town of 11,000 follows along the base of the hills along the Rhone River. For breakfast I started out with coffee, juice, and oatmeal with strawberries (they make their oatmeal too runny) in the dining room at 7:30. We were then off for our hour long walking tour of this old city and bridge. It was here that the inventor of the suspension bridge was from.
We went out on one of the first suspension bridges ever built that connects the two sides of the town. It is now for bikes and pedestrians only and is very good shape. Our guide told us that the reason it still existed and was maintained so well, is because they annually launch fireworks from the bridge on Bastille Day. Every year some of the fireworks land on and burn the wood decking of the bridge that then has to be replaced, keeping it in good condition.
After our tour we boarded our coaches for a short ride to the station of the narrow gauge railroad we would ride. The Train de L'Ardeche opened in 1981 to transport people and goods along the Doux River that is a deep gorge carved from the landscape. A series of 300 man made structures including bridges, viaducts and tunnels line the route. The viaducts transport water now used to feed a power station. Below is the engine at the end of the route after it had been turned around on a man powered turntable, travelling back to the other end of the train to be reattached to return us to where we started.
Once we returned to the station we had time to taste a local concoction of white wine and liqueur made from chestnuts that is pronounced as "can't stand you". It was slightly sweet and refreshing in what was turning in to being a very warm day.
Back on board it was time for lunch as we began sailing down the Rhone to our next stop. For lunch it was a buffet out on deck of panini sandwiches, chicken wings, french fries, coleslaw, potato salad, and a fantastic chicken salad. We always choose the fresh berries for desert. It wouldn't be lunch without having a fantastic German dark beer. Our guide, Janette, told us that "Beer gives you strength, wine makes you wise, and water only provides bacteria." Below is our view over our cabin balcony as we settle in for our afternoon nap.
Bon jour.
We went out on one of the first suspension bridges ever built that connects the two sides of the town. It is now for bikes and pedestrians only and is very good shape. Our guide told us that the reason it still existed and was maintained so well, is because they annually launch fireworks from the bridge on Bastille Day. Every year some of the fireworks land on and burn the wood decking of the bridge that then has to be replaced, keeping it in good condition.
After our tour we boarded our coaches for a short ride to the station of the narrow gauge railroad we would ride. The Train de L'Ardeche opened in 1981 to transport people and goods along the Doux River that is a deep gorge carved from the landscape. A series of 300 man made structures including bridges, viaducts and tunnels line the route. The viaducts transport water now used to feed a power station. Below is the engine at the end of the route after it had been turned around on a man powered turntable, travelling back to the other end of the train to be reattached to return us to where we started.
Once we returned to the station we had time to taste a local concoction of white wine and liqueur made from chestnuts that is pronounced as "can't stand you". It was slightly sweet and refreshing in what was turning in to being a very warm day.
Back on board it was time for lunch as we began sailing down the Rhone to our next stop. For lunch it was a buffet out on deck of panini sandwiches, chicken wings, french fries, coleslaw, potato salad, and a fantastic chicken salad. We always choose the fresh berries for desert. It wouldn't be lunch without having a fantastic German dark beer. Our guide, Janette, told us that "Beer gives you strength, wine makes you wise, and water only provides bacteria." Below is our view over our cabin balcony as we settle in for our afternoon nap.
