We stayed in Tournon overnight and this morning’s tour that attracted all four of us was a 9:30-12:00 steam train ride along the Doux River. The train is known as “Train de l’Ardèche” or Le Mastrou. The train line, which uses Mallet articulated locomotives, ran from 1891 until 1968 when it was later made into a private tourist attraction. The 1.5 hour trip runs along the Doux River and through the canyons surrounding it. The cars and engines are from a by-gone era. It turned out to be a delightful way to spend the morning.
Crossing the river to get to the train station.
The train excursion we are taking this morning.
The departing train station.
Blooming tree at the train station.
Our train.
Our 19th century rail car.
There was a bathroom at one time in this coach.
A mural near the train station.
One of several old bridges we crossed.
Watching the world go by.
A small power plant on the River.
A station used when the train was in use. Abandoned these days.
Someone’s hideaway.
Following the Doux River.
Another power plant.
A small waterfall near the tracks.
One of three bridges we crossed.
German prisoners during WWII were used to build an aqueduct(seen on the right) to carry water to the villages.
The small station (Colombier le Vieux), where we turned around. To go all the way on this track would have taken two hours .
Our 1920’s steam engine with a VERY loud whistle!
Getting ready to turn the engine around.
Man power to turn the turntable.
Rotating the engine on the hand powered turntable!
The engine backing up to link to our carriage for the return trip.
Note the coal used to fuel the boiler.
Ready for the return trip.
Watching the rails ahead as we return to the starting point.
The area around the canyon is pristine.
A terraced vineyard.
Part of the collection of memorabilia on display in their museum.
A very old train car on display.
The lounging area in the vintage rail car.
The commode in the upscale train car.
I had a “castagnou”, a local popular drink made with wine and chestnut liqueur.
The afternoon was spent “eating” – first with an ice cream buffet followed by a cooking lesson on making crepes. And, as expected, both were heavily attended!
Today’s lunch menu.
A different appetizer selection each day. The ham was awesome.
I opted for the mussels for lunch-very French!
The ice cream buffet held after lunch.
The recipe for crepes. What was surprising is that it calls for sparkling water!
Our pastry chef explaining how to make fabulous crepes.
Jane volunteered to make one.
Folding it properly turned out to be harder than it looks.
Jane’s creation.
I chose a berry sauce, Jane and Yvonne split a caramel/chocolate mixture.
The ship set sail at 1:30 as we finished lunch. Later that afternoon there was a presentation for those of us who would be taking the post cruise extension to Barcelona. John and Jane had never been to Barcelona and although we have been there three times there were still several things we have not seen so I was eager to go there again. It turns out about 60 people are going. We will travel by train from Nimes, France to Barcelona where we will spend three nights, with tours scheduled for two days.
Bridge clearance required lowering the ship’s bridge. Note the lounging area on the top deck.
We are sailing past the area where the famous Hermitage wine is made. Unfortunately we did not get to taste any of this very expensive wine!
More terraced vineyards.
Vineyards behind Tournon-sur-Rhone.
A castle near Printegarde.
There was a presentation for those of us (about 60) who were taking the post-cruise trip to Barcelona.
Our river route and distance from Barcelona where we will go by train.
This region of Spain is known at Catalonia, where there are discussions of a desire to secede from Spain.
Timing for our transfer to Barcelona.
There was the usual cocktail hour followed by dinner.
Drink of the day: Blue River: gin, tonic, curaçao.
Dinner menu for tonight.
A description of the wine offerings for dinner.
Truffle stuffed, corn fed chicken breast!
“Ile Flottante”
With Crème Anglaise, French Meringue, Fruits, Caramel Sauce
After dinner this evening there was an optional Ghost Walk in the small (population of 3700) 18th century village of Viviers, where we had arrived about 8:30PM. Of course we were intrigued and had to go! It turned out to be a fun experience, made somewhat spooky by the darkness of the village we walked through. The ghost story was loosely based on the history of some of the early occupants of the village.
Our local tour guide for the evening ghost walk.
Another of the local guides. We were broken up into several groups for the tour.
An eerie start to the tour, as it would soon be dark.
The streets were lite but there was no one walking around.
Our first encounter with a ghost from an earlier century..
She was looking for her “lover”. Unfortunately this gentleman resembled him.
Streets were deserted, giving the location a spooky look.
A town square.
The home where her former lover lived.
We learned a bit of history about homes in that era.
Never saw another human during the two hour walk, only a couple of fighting cats!
What’s this-a light! Who is there?
Some local entertainment of music from that era.
The church steeple.
The door to the local church.
Our ghost returns!
Using a ship’s guest to complete the storyline.
After we re-boarded the ship around 10:30PM we immediately left for our next destination, the famous city of Avignon.
