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I joined
Jane on the road last night to transport the tandem back through
the channel Tunnel on top of the car. Lille has a reputation of
being an industrial city so I had few expectations of it. Driving
in a myriad of roads did little to alter my opinion.
Lille
is European Capital of culture for 2004 and I was a little cynical.
That cynicism disappeared after visiting the centre that night,
a vibrant city quite beautiful in it's way with a fantastic atmosphere.
Despite being late at night there was no hint on trouble.
Earlier
in the day Jane had cycled through the Somme battlefields. The number
of memorials brings home the sacrifice that so many made which we
take for granted. Jane stopped at a British site to pay her respects.
Arras
was the dinner time stop. Underneath the Town Hall is an entrance
to underground caverns which looked fantastic. We hadn't time to
wait for a tour but I will be making visit sometime. Another fascinating
experience was while Steven and I were enjoying a baguette for dinner.
A sizeable rat appeared running across the square we were in. Yet
no one batted an eye as if it was a daily occurrence.
Tomorrow
Jane heads into Belgium for a brief excursion. It's a long ride
up to Calais but England will be in sight.
See
the full diary and the bike route.
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