Nantes on a Monday

Bonjour (again)

Nantes on a Monday. 
Pretty - yes
Quaint - yes
Open - no

Nantes is where I saw my first chateau. I arrived in the evening and by the time I got to the centre of the town it was dark (about 8). I wandered around trying to find the bus stop to take me to my accommodation because I didn't want to carry my big, heavy backpack the two kms (more if I got lost). I did get lost and then found a bus stop only to read that I'd just missed the last one. By the time I made it to my hotel I was sore and weary. I got my key and lay on the bed. (I can tell you this now knowing my parents will read this because I am safe - mum you can't freak out because it was last night).  After I'd recovered I discovered my room to be absolutely gorgeous. It is a small attic room decorated beautifully and I have my own toilet and shower (bliss!!!). The bed was soft and the owner speaks great English so I feel better about changing hotels from an average central hotel to this one. Besides the walk into the centre is not nearly so long and painful without a backpack. 
France is really cold - so hard to adjust to since Spain where I wore shorts and a tshirt and sweated with that. I got a freeze headache just walking to the chateau and fortress of the Duke of Brittany. I think I'll need to stop somewhere and have a hot chocolate and croissant to warm me up (yes any excuse will do...). 
Another thing on my list today is the Passage du Pommeraye which is a covered shopping arcade. A lot of the shops were closed being a Monday.  I'd spend my time shopping for warmer clothes if I didn't have to carry my backpack which is getting heavier with each place I go.  Again not many clothes shops are open and I shouldn't get more than I can carry.  Oh well, maybe it's that I'm getting older and the back can't take the punishment it did four years ago. 
Since I'd hit all the major tourist sights by 1pm I thought I'd get some more info and maybe some free wifi from the tourist office. Guess what - it's closed. 
My only alternatives are to window shop or find a cafe and sit down and drink hot chocolat' s all afternoon. I can read pride and prejudice on my iPhone which seems unpatriotic or something as I'm in France. I'd get something to read by a french author but all the bookshops are closed! 
There is a really cool museum in Nantes called Les Machines de Lile in which machinists construct animal machines and many other things then let you control them. There is a giant elephant machine that you can ride and watch the gears work. Museum - closed. 
A cute little shop that has the most gorgeous and unique skirt I've ever seen - closed. It opens 30mins before my train leaves for Tours on Tuesday. I can't chance it even though I think it's €65 (which I would actually pay).  
Something that is open is the casino and I've been in twice and spent money too. If you think it doesn't sound like me you'd be right - it's the name of a supermarket. 

I did end up finding an open bookstore and gave into temptation and bought the book The Hunger Games in the englais section. I haven't put it down since. I keep scolding myself to go slow and enjoy it (and make good value from the weight in my bag it'll be) but I just stop reading - it's that good!!
I have made the time to talk to you though and hope you are all well.

Tomorrow I'll be getting the train to Tours (and maybe even a taxi to the train station) for a day and a half in which I have a chateau tour to see beautiful French castles. Then it's onto Paris. The time is really flying now. 

Thanks for reading. 
Kym