Day 20: Le Mans

Colin (our host) had recommended going to Le Mans as something different to do. We took his advice since we still had the car. Le Mans is famous for its 24 hour car race which a couple of New Zealanders won back in the 1960s so I thought it might be right to go there. This area of France is relatively flat, at least compared to New Zealand. The countryside however is not entirely flat but rolls in a gentle manner. It is verdant at the moment and I am struck by the amount of cropping that occurs. Of course there are countless little villages that one passes through and the very small ones seem abandoned with no sign of life at all. I presume everyone works either on a farm or more likely in a nearby town.

Le Mans is interesting in that it is city that has a small medieval centre as far as we could tell with new buildings either very modern or after the style of the older buildings. We had a bite to eat there, had a wander, then came back to Saumur on the auto-route. The little Dacia (our car) really did not like any speed over about a 120 km/h. It vibrated, noisy and felt every passing gust of wind from the passing vehicles.

It was a very warm and sunny late afternoon when we got back to Saumur so we decided to go for a drink at a little bar that sits on the hill behind Chateau de Saumur. Despite the 29 degree heat others seemed to think it was a good idea too. We did have to sit in the shade though. I have been surprised about the visibility this time in Europe. On most other trips it has been very hazy but this time the clarity has been almost unlimited on sunnier of days.

It was a quiet evening and I cooked a very simple meal based on cassoulet from a can which I had always been keen to try. The real thing is much better by the way.