Day 14 Metz to Bissueil (Champagne again! well ok!)

So today started with the drivers fetching Arthur, Susie and Leroy from the Underground car park during rush hour!

Short detour for Andy, who was re-directed around the island by a helpful French person, with Andy swearing and waving his arms around like a demented water sprinkler, Andy went on a detour for 8 miles up the local motorway and to the Old port, turning around when he could to get him back infront of the Ibis to pack up the boot again.

All regrouped, we headed off towards the Local Le Clerc again to get some provisions and fuels for the cars, also giving Leroy (the Oil Alcholic) his morning fix of 0w40!

Thanks to Tracy stealing what the old ladies call a multi-functional trolley (looked more like special needs!) We procured more bread / cheese / wine / beer and a few other luxury presents (you lucky people!)

We then proceeded up and across towards Chalon-sur-champagne to start the wine tour region, arriving at our desitination shortly after 1pm.

We had around 1 hour to get to the Champagne House for our Tour, so we headed to the nearest Bar for a quick beer (nothing changes!) and then a short walk up the high street to Buachet Champagne.

We were met by Sasha our young student, working 4 x days a week during his Business Degree, come with me and I'll take you around the Factory and Cellars.

Not as big as some of the large Reims based houses, however much more focused, valyue for money as we were to find out.

1million bottles lined over 250m of cellars, spanning around 100 years of Champagne making, Sasha telling the stories and the process of making Champgane.

Then we were ushered into the tasting room, where we had a large table setup for 6 x of us.

Ok, I thought for one we had a TAPA's with the Wine!

Champagne 1 - The Standard Edition paired with another warm pate roll option.

Champgane 2 - The Blanc du Champagne mix, paired with Chicker and Rice with a Mushroom sauce

Champagne 3 - The Grand Cuvee paired with a Strawberry Fooll style triffle

We loved No 2 so much, we decided that a case of x6 needed to be orders and thats what we did, along with other various champagnes and things for presents.

Greate food and Champagne consumed, we headed back down the high street to check in to our accomodation (Air du Fil guests houses) where we were met by Cindy and her great converted barn's with a heated pool.

Now, what to do ! Mike and Andy washed the car's and gave them a buff up (the cars aswell!) before looking at Leroy's oil situation again!

Finished all that, now drinking a few Gin & Tonics outside righting todays log.

May post more tomorrow!