Exploring the castle

We took the train into Nantes today.  Nantes train station follows the same rules as most train stations in major cities by being located in what can only be described as 'the dodgy part'.  There were shops offering all kinds of services not normally seen in a well respected town.  

Lovely time had by all, we found the castle and spent ages exploring the battlements and had lunch in what had been the moat (which included probably the nicest bread I've ever, ever eaten).  Who says a lunch of bread and cheese isn't just the best. 

Drama of the day was on the way home.  Whilst waiting for the train to leave the station in Nantes (we got the tram back to the station, so avoided the rather iffy shops) the youngest announced (very loudly) he needed the toilet, badly.  Managed to keep him 'comfortable' until the train started, when we (wrongly) assumed the train toilet would be working.  The options were to wait for the next stop and either run to the next carriage and hope that the toilet there worked (it didn't), or get off and find services at the station.  What followed was a rather French public toilet experience, which included an automatic flush over the toilet seat and onto some of the floor.  Great idea, unless your toddler is still seated with you attending.  We left the services down a pair of pants, which was for the best and very much unwanted cargo.  An hour's wait followed, and the only place to wait was one of the dodgiest bars I've been in - with the most lovely bar tender I think I've met who smiled and said no problem when the youngest broke a glass by smashing the Orangina bottle into it.  I think the devil makes work for bored toddlers... 

Second drama of the day.  Blue bear is all on his own somewhere near Nantes train station.  Poor Blue Bear, we have no hope of being reunited. So far, it hasn't been noticed by the youngest and I think I have Spare Bear here, except we can't find him.