We took the train from Paris about 60 miles south to Orleans. We spent the afternoon doing a quick bit of sightseeing, getting our rental bikes and riding them back to the Hotel.

Although we were going to set out on our Great Journey the following morning, we headed off to the nearby village of Chaingy to visit Andy's old friends Dominique and Martine Cottereau. It turned out that they had Italian house guests. What to do with four French, three Italians, one Brit, one Czech and two Yankees? Have a huge dinner party, of course!

Of course dinner didn't end until the wee hours -- after much drinking, singing and LOTS of cheese. Too bad that I left the camera back at the Hotel...

	The Hotel l'Abeille (the Bee Hotel) was just a few blocks from the Orleans train station.
	Good thing someone brought a camera to the party! Here are Mary Anne and a visiting Italian.
	With me are the other visiting Italian and Danielle. We don't look happy, but we are! I guess the drinking was beginning to catch up with us at this point...
	Everyone sings! It's about Midnight and Mary Anne is offering an American folk song.
	Here we all are: French, Italian, Czech, British and American (and, perhaps, Canadian).
	Orleans was the capital of medieval France and a royal duchy until the Revolution in the 18th century. It is known for its association with Joan of Arc. Her statue, by Denis Foyatier, is in the center of town.
	The Renaissance Hotel Groslot once a private residence.
	After a morning of packing and adjusting bikes, we're off! (At Noon!!)
	France has many long-distance walking trails that go for hundreds of kilometers. We were lucky enough to follow one for most of the first day. Here is Mary Anne riding by the Loire just outside of Orleans.
	Parts of our trail were more like an old cobbled roadway.
	Lunch time! We're still on the trail beside the Loire near Meung.
	The Village of Meung
	The Chateau at Meung. Compared to some we'll see later, this is just a cottage!
	Our first night at the home of M. and Mme Bonnefoy in Saint Dye sur Loire. Too bad I couldn't convince Madame to get her photo taken. She looks like Beatrix Potter!
	The Bonnefoys were exceptionally nice. Madam is an Art Historian and has worked at various museums. She is also an artist and filled the house with her own paper mache creations. Here are The City Mouse and the Country Mouse on a stairway ledge.

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