Today we drove 20 minutes to Clos Luce, and saw Leonardo da Vinci's house. This was the "castle" that the kids were most excited to see--they voted to go there first-- because in the grounds are models of several of Leonardo's inventions, and visitors can play with them. The tank and the helicopter were favorites. Thankfully we arrived early enough that the crowds were not large, and we enjoyed the house and grounds thoroughly without too much traffic. Before we left, we recreated the picture that Jeff and I took the last time we visited Clos Luce, 11 years ago (2008), in the same spot but with our 3 kids standing by us too. It was fun.
From chez Leonardo, we drove five minutes into Amboise for lunch. We got delicious cold sandwiches at L'Horlage Boulangerie and ate them at a park. While Jeff was carrying the bag of sandwiches in one hand and holding Amber's hand in the other, he fell on a steep section of hill flat on his back. His back is painfully tight and sore! We ended up coming home after lunch in Amboise arround 2pm and staying home the rest of the day so Jeff could recover. We had planned on going to another chateau at Villandry this afternoon, but Jeff needed to rest his poor back. I hope it heals and feels better soon! He can't run with his sore back, and when he can't run, his mental health suffers. Jeff is also our only driver since I don't know how to drive a stick shift, so we can't go anywhere without him.
The kids were overjoyed to be done going on excursions so early in the afternoon today. They played outside in the backyard for a while, then had screen time, then went back outside. I had to call them in for dinner and for bedtime. I love this yard! Jeff and I did make one brief trip to Intermarche for groceries and laundry. The washing machine in our house is broken, so we hauled a big load of laundry out to the small Laverie in the parking lot of Intermarche and did the grocery shopping while our clothes washed. We brought home a basket of wet laundry and dried it in the sun on our back porch.
Leonardo's front yard
Amber and Rose took most of the pictures while we were inside Leonardo's house. While I did not enjoy deleting dozens of blurry/repeat pictures later, I did enjoy seeing what caught their eyes while they walked through the rooms. Rose liked zooming in on details; Amber liked the ceiling and pictures of people.
Pink boots, old floor. I had to save this picture.
Looking out the window
another ceiling.
Amber was feeling very protective of the camera, and every time her turn with it ended, she pouted.
Jay and Leonardo. Jay patiently sacrificed several of his rightful turns with the camera to appease his overtired youngest sister.
Pout Pout Amb.
Rose and I liked Leonardo's art studio.
Amber liked the giant seashells on the shelf.
The desk of a genius is a thrilling place.
Rose took this detail shot--I never would've noticed that face on the handle of the jug otherwise!
There was a secret passage underneath the house, not open to visitors, but with a cut-out of Leonardo slipping away down its dark tunnel.
House and gardens.
Heading down to the park area in Leonardo's backyard.
We couldn't resist.
This bridge is Leonardo's own design--an alternative to a drawbridge, it pivots to the side to allow boats to pass.
Amber liked Leo's multi-firing cannon.
Leonardo's tank spun around when the kids pulled on the wheel in the middle.
The treadmill.
It was a beautiful park/yard.
Leonardo's paddle boat.
Rose and Amber twirling Leonardo's helicopter, with his house in the background.
Our comparison pictures. Top: 2008. Bottom: 2019.
L'Horlage (the clock) in Amboise, namesake of the boulangerie where we got the best sandwiches of the trip--cold chicken curry on a baguette.
Crammed onto a bench, munching lunch. Rose and Jay got quiche. Amber had plain baguette. This was right after Jeff's fateful rib-cracking fall.
Playground!
The trees lining the parking area were delightful.
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