Page 33 - Jan2023

They rolled down their windows, and began Offered between the whirligigs and stuffed animal
shouting at each other. Then, with a risky jolt, one toys, the bargain prices ranged from 2-5 Euros per
of the cars lurched ahead, angling halfway into the bottle. I was told that these wines were excellent, if
space. Car number two simultaneously punched not superb. However, there were no sausage & egg
t
the gas pedal and smashed directly into car biscuits, no fountain drinks, and they didn? have
number one?s passenger door. any sushi.
Both drivers exploded out of their cars, fists Taking a different route home, the winding road
raised, roaring furiously. Quickly slamming my car hugged the river, passing several caves famous for
into reverse, I got out of there, but fast. Whatever their prehistoric wall paintings. Visiting dark
was gonna happen next, I wanted no part of it. The constricted places has little appeal for me, but the
cathedral of Ste. Mathieu had been waiting seven chance to explore one of Richard Lionheart?s castles
hundred years for my visit, and it could wait a few was too good to pass up, and just such a castle
more. soon appeared right on my route home.
Roadside Offerings t he French Way This time the car park was spacious, uncrowded,
and convenient to the admission office just a few
Driving out of the medieval town, a service
steps away. Passing the wooden swords and plastic
station appeared just as my low fuel light came on.
helmets on sale there, the open drawbridge ahead
Pulling in to fuel up, I wondered about the
drew me with an irresistible force. Inside the castle
conspicuous ?Sans Plumb?sign. (Hasn? lead been

t
walls, a tall central keep beckoned with a similar
banned from gasoline for over 50 years?)
insistence. Hewn stone steps spiraled up the
Exploring the offerings inside, I found that a nice narrow space for level after level, up and up until
selection of tempting local wines was available, open sky appeared continued on page 34
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