Hi folks — this will be a shorty since I’m on a one hour PC at the library here in Rennes. The trip from St. Malo to Rennes was on a TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse — Train of Great Speed), very smooth and quick — I figured out 110 km/hr. The 2nd class on the TGV is as nice as in first class on the local trains.

I left the house of my hosts the Davy’s this morning with fond thoughts, and made it to the train station in one try.

My hotel in Rennes is the Ibis chain of hotels — clean, neat, plain, and comfortable. I am surprised to discover it is only a two-star hotel. The rate is somewhat expensive at €75 but it is soon the four-day May Day holiday (like Labour Day), and the hotel is only 50 m from the station. I decided I might as well make reservations for the next two trips now, so back to the station I go, and I spend four more hours trying to line every thing up, but in the end I have all arrangements made until May 5.

Next item of business is to find an HSBC bank which I know is nearby to get some cash. Then back to the hotel as it is a gray, rainy day here. Tomorrow I go to Tours to see the grandes chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Cheers, Mike

PS Sondrine — Je pense que le boutteille d'eau reste chez vous!