I escaped to France in the hopes of engaging in some much needed R&R and gaining a new perspective on the shocking events that transpired last week at my farm but I’ve had no time for any of that.
Two hours after my arrival in Paris I was on the train to Bordeaux and 22 hours after that in the van with my riding companions to St Emillion for the start of our equestrian wine tour.
I set out on foot to see all I could of the town of Bordeaux (the Cathedral Saint Andre, Basilique St-Michel, Rue Santa Catherine, Europe’s largest pedestrian shopping street) before having dinner at Au Bistro, a quintessential French bistro, where I had Canard a l’orange, the most quintessential of bistro offerings.
The next morning, I walked the waterfront to the Place de la Bourse, back to the Marché Capucin and had a great lunch of rotisserie chicken at a sidewalk café before meeting my tour hosts, Michele and Alice and my riding companions, Linda, Ivana and Alicia, 3 young women, college friends from Texas (of all places).
The next morning began with a wine tasting at Château Monconseille and then we were off trotting and galloping through the French countryside with Michelle who although French dresses in cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, western shirt with Cathart vest and a big silver rodeo belt buckle.
At one point, we walked our horses on to the ferry (first time for me) and crossed the Garonne River then riding from Chateux to Chateax, touring the wineries, vineyards, production facilities and tasting rooms of some of the regions best known and loved wines, Chateaux Meyre, Chateaux Lanessan and Pichón Baron, Loudenne and Tour St Fort.
Each day we have a wonderful picnic lunch set with table cloths from Provence and each evening dinner at one of the regions culinary standouts.
I’m just having the best time despite the fact that the assets of my farm were sold to the highest bidder (in a scene filmed for the movie If I Could Ride Again) the day before I left the country.
But I can’t think about that right now, right now I’m focused on the picturesque French countryside, the food, the wine, the beautiful weather and the hours of fun riding Trigger, my equestrian companion.
