Our last full day in Loire - sigh.

Today was another bright, sunny, warm day!  We have been so very lucky with this weather.

We started out with a stroll around the troglodyte village of Rochemenier with Michael and Nancy. Then, we drove to Gennes, along the Loire, first stopping at a dolmen built in the Neolithic period between 2000 - 5000 BC.

Then, we crossed the river and drove up to Saumur on the northern side.  It was beautiful with parks along the way.

After that, we visited the Caves of Ackerman, the oldest sparking wine maker from this region - 1811.  A delightful young woman gave us a tour.  Most of the caves were closed in preparation for their bicentennial celebration coming up in a week.  She explained that the first Ackerman was from Belgium and copied the champagne area techniques, but, that eventually, after a long, long trial, Saumur had to give up the name 'champagne.'  One of the chambers had games set up from the time of the first Ackerman.  We then tasted a few wines and both of us bought a bottle of the bicentennial sparkling wine.

Now, we are about to sit in the garden with iced coffee and then eat the  beef stew that Mark has been making for two days, which smells delicious!