This morning we went on a walking tour of the Citadel de Blaye. This is one of around 160 fortifications around France that were designed by a chap called Vauban for Louis XIV. This citadel at Blaye is one of best preserved of all these fortifications. It overlooks the Gironde estuary - which is the largest estuary in Europe. After all the work they did building this huge fort, the "bolt of the estuary" (as it is known) was only half-heartedly attacked once (by the English - who gave up about a week in when they heard that Napoleon had already been apprehended and was on his way to Elba).
After the tour of the citadel, Becky and I headed for the local market where she bought me some presents for my birthday.
Back on the ship we had a special barbecue lunch, before coming 2nd in today's trivia quiz. There was an early dinner at 5.30pm as this evening's entertainment was a special visit to Chateau d'Agassac for some wine and a classical concert by a string quartet.
Back to the ship at 10pm where they had laid out late night snacks for us - but I honestly couldn't face more food today.
Surely it was the British who attacked, not the "English", as England had ceased to be a separate nation long before the Napoleonic Wars
ReplyDeleteAs far as our French guides are concerned , it's always the English. I guess they don't feel so much animosity to the Welsh and Scots. But they like to rub it in whenever they had a victory against the English
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