Day 2

Surprisingly we all slept well and some made it to breakfast. I can highly recommend the hotel although why anyone has a pool which is too deep to stand up in beats me. You also need your room cards to activate the lifts. This is the first time I have come across this and it would be useful if receptionists told you about it instead of waiting like idiots for the the lift to arrive.
Train to Eperney - after a week in Tuscany where the trains ran like clockwork - we were disappointed to find a forty minute delay but it gave us time to appreciate the amazing station restaurant decorated with bottles of champagne.

photo of restaurant

The tourist information here is small but the girl was helpful. The countryside and vineyards are amazing and because of the time of year hanging with bunches of ripe grapes. The picking had started in some areas. Everything is controlled and the villages are told when they can start the harvest. 100,000 extra workers come to pick the grapes for two weeks. (I have applied for employment next year!)
The train was smooth and clean with picture windows so you had a superb view of the countryside. As we approached Eperney the site of the champagne houses was impressive. The huge "Castellane" tower seemed symbolic. Our first glass of champagne in the region. We walked through the Hotel de Ville park. The flowers had a purple theme and were stunning.
We hit the hallowed ground of the Avenue de Champagne. We came face to face with Moet. and then it just continued until we reached the champagne cork roundabout. We walked the street in reverent silence being in the presence of greatness.  The beautiful courtyards were calling to us and the Moet Disneyland pulled us in though the gate promptly shut behind us. We thought we might have to spend the day behind bars but some kind person who had us on video released us. Phew! 1

2pm time for tasting.

 We entered a little boutique champagne house called Collard Piccard  and had a three glass tasting for 12 Euros. The girl was delightful and explained the nuances of the champagne. We sat in the beautiful courtyard with the sun beating down and realised that this was a special moment, Life didn't get much better with three like minded friends (by this time Sue and I were insulting each other like old buddies!-she had already been awarded the plonker award but what "goes on tour stays on tour!")