06:30. The clock across the room tells me.
A miracle has happened. For the first time in more than two decades, I'm able to read the time from a distance without glasses or contact lenses.
Read MoreGastronomy and stunning scenery aside, what keeps me returning to the Loire Valley year after year is the beauty and deep history of each and every one of the 300+ châteaux dotted along the Loire. All rightfully deserving one's time and appreciation.