Aug 26

West front of Amiens Cathedral. It is huge, tall, and impressive, but would be better with a peal of change ringing bells!

nave and sanctuary of this vast building

Yeah! I am now officially on the way to wandering about the continent. My friends, Pat and Kerry joined me in Douai, and we spent a day going to Amiens and exploring there. The cathedral was awesome, and we also visited the Jules Verne house and museum. We had planned travel by train, but the train was cancelled, so we rented a car and drove. Visiting the cemeteries, and memorials to the Battle of the Somme, and Canada’s last 100 days offensive that helped bring about the armistice of Nov. 11, 1914, I learned a significant amount about that part of the war history. I expect to learn a great deal more as we continue exploring northern France and southern Belgium.

We are now in Belgium, and the intersection of the L’Escaut and Nimy-Blaton-Perrones canals, in the Perrones Yacht Club, which is a delightful mooring in their marina. The lock tomorrow is another monster of over 12m lift. We will fuel, get propane, and supplies from the fuel barge in Antoing, and then to Mons.

Castle in Antoing, adjacent to the canal L’Escaut