Up early to catch the train to Bordeaux, then a change to First Class for Nice, 7 hours in total. Europe does trains so well - punctual, clean, nicely appointed, comfortable, & all carriages have little tables, power points & overhead storage. There's nothing quite like a train trip, especially through such a beautiful part of France, with its rolling fields of sunflowers, maize, wheat & vines. The farmhouses, chateaus & hamlets are straight out of picture story books, as well as crossing the wide rivers over pretty bridges.
The cafe trolley arrives periodically with a really good selection of food & drinks & I have been able to write a letter & catch up on my Blog. A couple of hours into the journey, a lady boarded the train & gesticulated that I was in her seat. Whoops, apparently there is more than one First Class carriage & we were on the wrong one! Dragged out cases nearly the length of the train (about 20 carriages) & resettled. Had a snooze & watched the landscape change again to some built up areas & then along the coast. My Aunt Jill & Uncle Nick were there to greet us & we drove the short way to their summer house in Bargemon. Wow!! Another slice of French paradise! Our own room & courtyard, & dinner overlooking the valley.