Today we move on from our sojourn in France and enter onto our next phase of inter country relations within Italy.

Not before we take in the ritual of breakfast in a French countryside Chateau . A reasonable breakie room adequate for our needs (see pics as they tell the story) with all the normal fancy french stuff - brioche and organic fresh baked breads, array of pastries, a mere 6 different types of home made preserves, freshly squeezed orange juice, tea and coffee in silverware jugs, boiled eggs from the backyard chook pen, the local pig sausage with cherry tomatoes, and then french strawberries (M-N insists that no cheap ones from Spain are used) along with macaroons.

She did a reasonable job but next time we must insist on damask napkins!

Short road trip into Lyon which is the third largest city in France behind Paris and Dijon. Wander around for a while then make our way to our favourite form of transport, the train, especially the fast train. Today the train is from Lyon to Milan. Forget to fill up the car with fuel so just prior to station frantic efforts, whilst I have never been a big wrap for the sat navs they do have their place like finding fuel in a hurry, like most things in France it is automated and also in French and won't take our cards anyway . After some further assistance from another friendly local we are sorted. Drop off our little Citron rocket and depart for another language and custom learning experience.

Our sojourn through the French wine regions has been an absolute highlight, as Cooper would say - busy, busy, busy but such a wonderful experience and let Uncle Dan try to pull the wool over our eyes if we return as we are now expert in the French liquid stuff.

Train to Milan fine, some of the Italian alps and road ways at sides of mountains spectacular, arrived and asked for assistance to find hotel, the person spoke a little English so he called the taxi, waited until it came and then gave instructions to driver as to where we needed to go. Planning for short tour of main centre in morning and then on to the 5 lands.