Blogs from Arras, Nord-Pas de Calais, France, Europe - page 2

An diesem Tag wollte ich mir in Lille die Zitadelle ansehen, aber die war nicht zu besichtigen. Danach bin ich zum Stadtzentrum und etwas herumgelaufen. Anschließend habe ich Lille verlassen und bin zu La Coupole, einem Abschussort deutscher Raketen mit großer Bunkeranlage im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Abends habe ich dann noch mein Hotel in Arras aufgesucht.... read more

Arras, France: June 2007 I’m not quite sure when the idea came to me, but I suddenly realised that, in our dash to see other parts of France, we drove straight through some to most historic parts of it, without even slowing down. I thought it was about time to put that right, so set about looking for a central town in which to stay. My eyes alighted on Arras. I’d seen it on signposts many times as we drove along the main road, heading toward, well who knows where; we always seemed to wind up on this road. A little research led me to think it might well be a good centre to explore the area. I was right, and it proved to be so much more than just a centre… Sat 16th June I’d ... read more

Saturday, 27th September, 2008 Left Ieper this morning, with a general heading of Bethune. Around lunchtime we stopped at a supermarket and had a coffee. Passed by many War Cemeteries and stopped at four - Trois Arbres Cemetery 1705 Burials Le Grand Beaumart Cemetery 552 Burials Vieille Chapelle New Military Cemetery ? Several hundred Zelobes Indian Cemetery 105 Burials Paid our respects at each of them and signed the visitors book when found. This really took up most of the morning and we arrived at the Bethune Premier Classe approximately 2 o'clock. We used the automated reception, which was impressive and very easy to use. Because the weather was so nice, we chilled for a while on the benches outside the Hotel and caught up with emails etc. The temperature registered as 39°C on my Clock ... read more

Today is Fete de Musique! The whole of France has music festivals. Thankfully we have a late check out so after a sleep-in we reluctantly leave Paris after lunch with the streets alive with the sound of music. It’s a relatively short drive to our hostel in Arras. I can hear the music, I can see the music but we’re exhausted after such busy days in Paris I just need a cup of tea and a quiet sit down; at least until after dinner then I’m dragging everyone off to the town square P.S. Darren wasn’t in the mood, so I just took the kids out but the music was too loud and the crowds too thick for them so I went out on my own. I just love a festival; wish I had my dancing ... read more

Nous avons décidé de faire nos deux dernières vacances sous le thème "Germinal"! Nous nous sommes donc promenés le 28 février dans le Nord de la France à la recherche des corons (maisons des mineurs), des terrils (grandes collines pyramidales noires de gravas sortis des mines) et des anciennes mines. Pour se faire, nous avons (courageusement sous la pluie) traversé les villes de Liévin et de Lens ainsi que le village de Lens-en-Gohelle (ancien village de corons) pour découvrir les terrils jumeaux que l'on voit à partir du monument de Vimy! Suite à cette vertigineuse ascension, nous avons décidé d'intensifier (de créer ...) notre programme d'entrainement pour l'Écosse (nous sommes supposé faire 11 jours de randonnée pédestre près du Loch Ness). Par la suite, nous sommes allés hier (le 5 mars) avec Monsieur Devloos (oui oui, ... read more