Switzerland

Have you noticed these posts get shorter as we run out of time?

Here we are in Switzerland where Willie and Veronika have been very very good to us. We have had a ball - mountains, waterfalls, lakes, shopping . . .

Now we head for Singapore then home. Can't wait to see everyone on our return.

Carousels

Beautiful old carousels are everywhere . . . Harry can sniff them out from a mile away . . .

This one was at Macon.

Hangin' with Bill

We've had a great time with Bill and now know a heap more about the region. Some happy snaps . . .

Billy and the Bret Brothers

The real reason for our stay in Julienas was to catch up with Bill, our wandering wine mate who Clive met at vintage in NZ. He also did the vintage with Fraser Gallop in '07. Bill has been working the vintage in France for 7? years and its easy to see why he loves it here. He's hooked up with the Bret Brothers (yes, strange name for those in the biz') here in the Macon area. They produce an incredible array of mainly biodynamic chardonnays and Bill is fully into their techniques. Here he is bringing in the harvest . . . !

Wow - Julienas

Chosen because the village promised a good playground with views, we took a punt on Julienas, in the Beaujolais. We found a gite set high on the hill overlooking rows of bush vines to the village and beyond, across to the Soane river. On a clear day we can see Mont Blanc in Switzerland. Quiet except for the hourly church bells, this place is mintox. I've produced another piece of cinematic brilliance on the subject -take a look.

Goodbye Dudon

Last Tuesday we left Dudon and Barsac. We've had a brilliant time here. Heading for the Beaujolais/Macon region now.