We Docked By Fort Medoc For Oysters And BLW

The ship went back down the river and docked across from right bank Blaye on the left bank at Cussac-Fort-Medoc.

The fort was the third leg of the defensive system protecting the city of Bordeaux.  The other two legs were the Citadel of Blaye, and the Pate, on an island in the middle of the river.  Back in the 1600s, cannon fire could not cover the width of the river, so there were the three parts of the defense to essentially extend the protection of the river.

Vauban, the famed French military engineer (well, at least he's famous in France) oversaw the planning of Fort Medoc.  Mostly earthworks, Fort Medoc was rapidly completed between 1689 and 1691.

As part of the "fortifications of Vauban," Fort Medoc is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It's nowhere near as dramatic as the Citadel of Blaye, so Inspirato also arranged for us to do a tasting of local oysters at the fort.

Carol had promised Maddy in Croatia that she would try an oyster in France.  To her credit, she picked the setting of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(Editor: Okay Mr. Language Person, why is it "a UNESCO World Heritage Site" instead of "an UNESCO etc."?

Writer: Um. <starts sweating profusely> I don't um, really, uh, have any idea.  Now I've checked and I'm right, but neither I nor the internet have any idea why.  Moving on. . .)

Although it has been multiple decades since Carol has had an oyster, her taste for (well, really "against" instead of "for") them hasn't changed.  She tried an oyster as promised, had the same immediate reaction as way back when (best summed up as "yuck!").  I can't say I'm heartbroken -- I got to slurp down her other two oysters that she wouldn't eat.  She did drink the wine with it!

Some of the oysters.  I didn't eat the

whole platter, but wish I did!

When I complimented this gentleman

on his ability to quickly open oysters,

he was at a loss for words, but

squeaked out an "aw, shucks!"

After finishing the oysters, Don, Jennifer, Carol and I walked around the somewhat underwhelming fort (many of the earthworks have been subsumed).  It's a pleasant walk, particularly since I was slightly buzzed on "Before Lunch Wine," or BLW.  There was wine served with the oysters, and it would have been rude to turn it down.

The main surviving building of the fort.

The Sun King's symbol was added to the

building at some point.  Some people

with big egos like to brand their name

on their buildings, while Louis XIV

had his personal emblem added.

Given that he pictured himself as the

sun, it is safe to say Louis did not

have self-esteem issues. 

The outbuilding where the oyster

tasting took place.  Carol tried.

I'm not a great day drinker, and I know I've never had a BLW before, but if you are going to start, it's best to do it in Bordeaux whilst slurping down oysters.

(Spoiler Alert Voiced By Disapproving Sounding Narrator: It wouldn't be the last time Glen has BLW that week.)