Ruins of the medieval castle of Gilles de Rais. History informs us, he was not a nice man

Remarkable footage Mr. B.    Quite a bit of history behind that old medieval chateau.  What I found most interesting was that there were a lot of underground rooms.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-1 11:48
Remarkable footage Mr. B.    Quite a bit of history behind that old medieval chateau.  What I found most interesting was that there were a lot of underground rooms.

Thanks RDB. The Mini3Pro comes into its own for these POI clips.  Yes Gilles the child-killer probably used them as dungeons

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 11:51
Thanks RDB. The Mini3Pro comes into its own for these POI clips.  Yes Gilles the child-killer probably used them as dungeons

You're very welcome Mr. B.  

Wasn't aware of Gilles.  Guess I need to do some more research.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-1 11:57
You're very welcome Mr. B.  

Wasn't aware of Gilles.  Guess I need to do some more research.

Gilles de Rais, Baron de Rais, was a knight and lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, a leader in the French army, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He is best known for his reputation and later conviction as a confessed serial killer of children.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 12:01
Gilles de Rais, Baron de Rais, was a knight and lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, a leader in the French army, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He is best known for his reputation and later conviction as a confessed serial killer of children.

Yeah, I just googled him.  Lots and lots of information on his background.  Not all good for sure.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-1 12:03
Yeah, I just googled him.  Lots and lots of information on his background.  Not all good for sure.

History is littered with such men. And even today....

Very cool place. Reminds me of Bolingbroke Castle in better shape. Are you in France again?

Depp Posted at 11-1 22:25
Very cool place. Reminds me of Bolingbroke Castle in better shape. Are you in France again?

Yes, for a couple of weeks.

Lovely,   much better than boggling at it on google maps.  

Blériot53 Posted at 11-1 12:05
History is littered with such men. And even today....

Sad that not much has changed over the many years with respect to these type of gents.  

Great video!

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-2 02:00
Sad that not much has changed over the many years with respect to these type of gents.

Exactly so

Montfrooij Posted at 11-2 02:06
Great video!

Thanks Peter

Blériot53 Posted at 11-2 04:12
Thanks Peter

You're welcome!

Blériot53 Posted at 11-2 04:11
Exactly so

How's the weather been on your trip so far?

Gilles de Rais, anyone would know that he was crazy about alchemy and kidnapped, tortured, and murdered children. But it's beautiful for a place like that. I think it's right to be scared.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-2 13:50
How's the weather been on your trip so far?

We've been really luckythis week so far. Rain overnight but sunshine during the day.
The Loire valley has it's own temperate micro-climate which is most agreeable.
It's been quite windy though at times.
The water levels in the river are very depleted - just a dry sandy bed in places.

GurryAzzy Posted at 11-2 16:22
Gilles de Rais, anyone would know that he was crazy about alchemy and kidnapped, tortured, and murdered children. But it's beautiful for a place like that. I think it's right to be scared.

His nickname was Barbe Bleu (Bluebeard) like the pirate. But I don't think there's any link there.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-2 23:07
We've been really luckythis week so far. Rain overnight but sunshine during the day.
The Loire valley has it's own temperate micro-climate which is most agreeable.
It's been quite windy though at times.

Despite the winds it does sound like a pleasant trip so far.  Guess they've had a dry spell there since the water levels are down.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-3 02:51
Despite the winds it does sound like a pleasant trip so far.  Guess they've had a dry spell there since the water levels are down.

You should see the Loire River - lots of sandy riverbed exposed.  Video to follow.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-3 09:10
You should see the Loire River - lots of sandy riverbed exposed.  Video to follow.

That's not good when the water no longer covers the river bed and nothing but sediment showing.  The Loire River is probably saying:  De l'eau s'il vous plait.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-3 09:54
That's not good when the water no longer covers the river bed and nothing but sediment showing.  The Loire River is probably saying:  De l'eau s'il vous plait.

It is! The locals are quite concerned. Sand is being excavated to widen and deepen the river to allow access to larger vessels upstream as far as Angers. But with the low water levels, that's not going to be possible for a while.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-3 10:02
It is! The locals are quite concerned. Sand is being excavated to widen and deepen the river to allow access to larger vessels upstream as far as Angers. But with the low water levels, that's not going to be possible for a while.

As well they should be concerned.  Hope your day is off to another great start.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-4 01:57
As well they should be concerned.  Hope your day is off to another great start.

Cloudy and breezy. We're invited to Apéros with the Gite owners in an hour. Packing up to move on tomorrow morning will be this afternoon's exercise

Blériot53 Posted at 11-4 02:06
Cloudy and breezy. We're invited to Apéros with the Gite owners in an hour. Packing up to move on tomorrow morning will be this afternoon's exercise

Apéros with the Gite owners.

Now that's an impressive French tradition.  


Are you traveling by auto?

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-4 03:40
Apéros with the Gite owners.

Now that's an impressive French tradition.  

Yes there's finger food laid out, and a nice Chinon white wine to accompany it.
Afterwards we had a digestif (Absinthe liqueur) followed by a toddle round the farm.
Now we're back for a siesta

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-4 03:40
Apéros with the Gite owners.

Now that's an impressive French tradition.  

And yes, we brought our own car over on the ferry.  Quite used to driving over here - even though they  use the wrong side of the road (just like you guys   )

Blériot53 Posted at 11-4 05:33
Yes there's finger food laid out, and a nice Chinon white wine to accompany it.
Afterwards we had a digestif (Absinthe liqueur) followed by a toddle round the farm.
Now we're back for a siesta

Sounds like it was a lot fun.  

Blériot53 Posted at 11-4 05:34
And yes, we brought our own car over on the ferry.  Quite used to driving over here - even though they  use the wrong side of the road (just like you guys   )

What?  You mean I drive on the wrong side of the road, no way.  Right is right and left is wrong.  

Just messing with you.  

Nice that you have your car so that you can come and go as you please.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-5 02:40
Sounds like it was a lot fun.

A great way to end the week. We've now arrived at our second stopover location.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-5 03:18
What?  You mean I drive on the wrong side of the road, no way.  Right is right and left is wrong.  

Just messing with you.  

It's essential, since apart from trains to mainline destinations, there is no public transport. And taxis are exhorbitant.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-5 08:20
A great way to end the week. We've now arrived at our second stopover location.

Still in France I assume. I'm excited to see what shots/footage you post from the new location.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-5 08:21
It's essential, since apart from trains to mainline destinations, there is no public transport. And taxis are exhorbitant.

Even with the high cost of fuel having your car definitely makes it more convenient and easier to travel from location to location. When I was stationed at the American Embassy in Madrid Spain I bought a Eurail pass and traveled for 3 weeks and enjoyed it.  However, like you said I was limited to mainline destinations.  Using the sleeper on the train came in very handy.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-6 05:56
Still in France I assume. I'm excited to see what shots/footage you post from the new location.

Today was a non-starter, as it rained cats and dogs until late afternoon.

DowntownRDB Posted at 11-6 05:59
Even with the high cost of fuel having your car definitely makes it more convenient and easier to travel from location to location. When I was stationed at the American Embassy in Madrid Spain I bought a Eurail pass and traveled for 3 weeks and enjoyed it.  However, like you said I was limited to mainline destinations.  Using the sleeper on the train came in very handy.

I guess that would have been advantageous.

Great footage, are you recording in 10bit ? How happy are you with it if I may ask ? Just thinking, as black Friday is approaching. Would appreciate your thoughts.

DMD Cine Attic Posted at 11-6 10:17
Great footage, are you recording in 10bit ? How happy are you with it if I may ask ? Just thinking, as black Friday is approaching. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Hi. This is the unmodified footage straight from the Mini3Pro. !920x1080 @ 29.97FPS and not changed from 8 bit.

Blériot53 Posted at 11-6 09:49
Today was a non-starter, as it rained cats and dogs until late afternoon.

Very sorry to hear that.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be a rain free day.  

Blériot53 Posted at 11-6 09:50
I guess that would have been advantageous.

It was.  I tried to always travel at night and sight-see during the daylight hours so was worth paying for the sleeper.