The Viking Rinda left Rouen for Les Andelys at 1 AM, or so we were told, and we arrived there at 8 AM. I took a couple of photos before we docked.
Our shore excursion this morning was the Chateau Gaillard Walking Tour with our guide Simone. Les Andelys is a small town best known for the castle that was built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart (he was also Duke of Normandy). Most remarkable to me was that it took less than two years to build. It was a slightly steep walk up the hill in some places, but well worth the views. It was easy to see what a strategic location it was.
We then walked down the hill to the town of Les Andelys, specifically the Petit-Andely neighborhood around the St. Savior Church. After the tour ended, we wandered around with Alan and Lyn, checking out the little shops and the Cafe du Petit Andely opposite the church, where Gordon and Alan both had a beer and Lyn and I cappuccinos.
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| St. Savior Church |
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| Cafe patron |
We were back on board for lunch and cast off for Mantes-la Jolie. We cruised all afternoon, enjoying the lovely weather. We attended a briefing on the details of our disembarkation in two days, followed by tea and pastries. We arrived in Mantes-la-Jolie at 6 PM, went to the Captain's Cocktail Party, the port talk, and dinner. We gave Dobo a nice tip for all his extra attention. After dinner we went briefly to the Captain's Farewell Party, joined by some of the crew who were letting loose after a week of hard work. We even got up to dance for a very brief period.
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| Duck family outside our veranda |
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| Au revoir, Chateau Gaillard! |
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| Approaching a lock |
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| More mistletoe |
