Day 17: Its the Bubbles of Nothing That Make it All Something.

I It was champagne day today, so we were  up at 6am, so we could be on the train to Reims for 8. We arrived in Reims just before 9, I was expecting a small French village but instead it was a large town/city. We had a morning tour to Haute Villiers ( a beautiful little village on a hillside ) to the Dom Perignon vineyards and also 2 small champagne houses, we learnt how the champagne is made and also got to taste some. 

The highlight for me was the sabreage, getting to take the top off the bottle of champagne with a large sabre, much easier than I anticipated and I can't wait to try it again at home, just need a very large knife!! 

Dom Perignon was watching over our every move. We also went to the Abbey where he is buried. A fantastic morning, we learnt so much and it went so so quick.

We got dropped off in the centre of Reims at 1 pm, which was a good thing, because the tastings weren't small, so lunch was very much in order. We both ordered Croque Monsieur ( ham and cheese toastie), and some fries, which Sandy seasoned quite generously with pepper, her way of portion control perhaps???

We didn't have time to eat them anyway as we were running late ( and couldn't stop sneezing) for our Veuve Cliquot tour. Very similar information to this mornings tour apart from the storage in 24 kms of chalk tunnels.

French Word of The Day: Crayere: this is the name of the chalk tunnels that were initially mined for many buildings, but is now used to house leading champagnes, as  they are a constant 12 degrees.

Tour over and more tastings and it was time to leave to make the 5.15 train back to Paris. The train was fantastic and it was 1st Class all the way... none of this economy stuff for us... 

We are up on the 2nd level and it is obvious how much my French has improved, as here I am reading the train magazine which was completely French. 

I don't think I have mentioned before how fast these trains go but if you have a look in the top left corner you will see the speed.

It did reach 330 kms/ hr but even at 296km/hr the G Forces where too great for Sandy to keep her eyes open....( sorry if the picture misled you into thinking she was sleeping).

All in all another fantastic day in France., 2 more to go.