Claire and Simon's trip round Eastern Europe

Europe
May 19th 2018

Published: May 19th 2018

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ElsieK

Strasbourg

one of the many timbered buildings

After a rest and a meal we ventured out into the town. The traffic had calmed down and it was a pleasant walk from the campsite on a cycle track. We spent sometime sorting out where we were but eventually made our way to the cathedral which looked lovely all lit up. It was started in 15th century and added onto over the years. The outside is very ornate all filigree and gargoyles. It has a very tall spire. We meandered through the streets and marvelled at all the lovely old timber framed buildings and all the bridges crisscrossing the waterways. We made our way back eventually though had the usual argument about the route!

This morning we got up and set off for the cathedral again as the astronomical clock inside is on show from 12 noon. They show a film about the whole thing. It was originally built some years ago but the parts wore out. People still visited it and a 9 year old boy saw it and vowed to repair it one day. Which after 30 years he eventually did. It is an amazing feat of mechanics. He worked out how to get the clock to

shop window

anyone for a bit of cheese?

tell the time, the date, the movement of the sun and the moon and the ecclesiastical calendar. At 12:30 the clock works and various figures move across. Unfortunately it was covered in scaffolding at the time so pictures not too good but amazing and the only one of it's kind in the world apparently.

While there we were able to see the interior of the cathedral. It has lovely stained glass windows all round and the rose window over the entrance door. It also has a huge organ with the pipes hanging high on the wall. It closed at one so we had to leave quite soon.

We wandered outside and through an antique market before getting some lunch then wandered through the streets of Petite France full of lovely buildings on the waterside.We found a Christmas shop and I found a couple of pieces for the Christmas tree. You can never be ready too soon! We walked over the covered bridge and on to the Museum of modern and contemporary art. Then walked as Simon's Aunty Betty would say 'until our feet were bloody stumps'! Back to the van then for a much needed cup of tea