Feel the fear - ballooning over the Loire

It was an early start for our sun rise hot air balloon experience. I will admit to some nervousness and trepidation as I waited to ascend because I am not too fond of heights and found directly looking down the walls at Mont St Michel challenging enough. However, it was a calm day and a smooth ride and I found that I was not too scared after all. Watching the balloons being inflated was spectacular but seeing the scenery from the balloon was surreal. We were amazed how quiet it was up in the air, except when the gas burners were going. Our first landing attempt was aborted and shortly after we landed with hardly a jolt. Not so scary after all.

My reward for feeling the fear and doing it anyway was to taste the bubbly wine of the region in Saumur. We visited two different cellars that make sparlking with the traditional method and did the tour in both. Both have caves in which the wine is stored. Our first tour was in French and we followed along with a pamphlet. We were already familiar with the process so it wasn't too hard. It sounded like a few funny stories or jokes were told though which we missed out on. The second tour was in English and we were the only ones on it so were able to ask questions and chat a bit. Something different this region offers is red sparking wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes. I can't say either of us were fans, it was a bit sweet, but interesting to try. We may, or may not, have purchased a bottle or more.

Finished the day with a lovely meal in a small cafe by the square. The last pictures above show the square lit up at night. We enjoyed our time in Loire Valley and the small town of Fontevraut where we stayed. It has a lot to recommend it.