25/7/13 Bordeaux La Garonne River cruise & Chateau Rossell winery tour.

The city of Bordeaux is world heritage listed & they are in the process of cleaning all the limestone buildings, a huge job...

This architecture is so different to the medieval feel of the rest of the city.

One of the last remaining Gates to the city after the walls were destroyed during the French Revolution.

Breakfast in France - Nick is having bread & sausage with coffee, very French. The croissant is mine with a Perrier water...mai oui.

These are an introduced species of rodent that was released into the wild & originally used for the fur to make warm coats etc., but they aren't used for that anymore & are in plaque proportions along the river fronts. They're bigger than the biggest possum we have back home. In some quarters of Bordeaux they use the livers as a type of foi gras (pâté) & it's considered a delicacy...yuk, one that they are welcome too...not even going to try it!

Bordeaux from the River. We are about 80 km from the mouth of the River & the colour is derived from the great quantities of alluvial silt that is washed down from further up-river. It is what makes the area so fertile, but it can be a problem with heavy silting.

Our tour guide & our wine/food waiter on the vessel.

Andrew trying a Sauvignon & the table of tasters that just kept filling up no matter how much everyone ate...gaspachio, asparagus, duck, breads, witloof & cheese, prossuto...(& it was all delicious) served with the delightful wines from the region.

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A selfie with one of the reds...a red for a red.

The estuary of Blaye...this gives you a good idea of the silting problem they have with what the River carries downstream.

The Citadel of Blaye sits on 30 hectares & it dates back to the Roman times. It is in the process of being renovated & the local council is trying to get people to start living within its walls again. So far 9 have taken up the offer.

It has a dry moat & 2 ramparts or surrounding walls. Looking over the River, this site was strategic in protecting the area from the English.

Tis is our guide Natalie standing in front of the original gate dating from the 17th century & still standing.