Thursday 12th December 2013

Sometimes, we take the wonders of the modern age for granted. That we have the sum of all of mankind's knowledge at our fingertips with the interwebs, that I can take a photo and upload it to flickr (other photo sites are available) and the world can see it in seconds, that I can carry my entire music collection in a box no bigger than a pack of fags, we have sent probes oude of our solar system. And so on. and one closer to home, is that from leaving home here in St Mags, we can be in France within the hour.

Oh la la.

So, on Tuesday, we got up at five, had a quick breakfast and headed to the terminal at Folkestone. If we were lucky and time it right we can be driving straight on the train and be off within minutes. Sadly this time we had to wait 50 minutes for a space, which kinda scuppered our plans to drive to Arras that day. Arras is a 120 mile round trip, and with so little daylight at this time of year, we decided to leave that trip to the spring.

What better than a drive along the coast, past Cap Gris Nez and onto Boulogne? Nothing we thought. However, the Gendarmerie had other ideas. One road was blocked, and as we followed the diversion to the main coast road, that too was blocked by stern looking policemen. We headed back to the motorway and sped south and west towards the port.

Our plan was to head to the old town, have coffee, visit the basilica, have a drink in The Vole Hole and then see where doing for time. So, we headed to the ancient walled town, found a parking space and walked a few hundred yards along to the main gate and inside and along the narrow cobbled streets. It is wonderful.



we headed straight for the basilica, hoping to get inside, or at least I wanted to as last time we tried there was a service going on. As luck would have it, workers were installing christmas trees, and the main door was open, and before they could cover everything with plastic sheeting, I got my shots. Sadly, the dome and crypt were closed, so another visit next year is called for, but it was still wonderful to go in. The dome of the basilica is some 100m tall, and can be seen from most places in the town. The view from up there must be wonderful.



We went back outside to find a place open for a coffee; only place seemed to be the tbac we used before, so we went in and ordered our coffees and I had a croque monsieur, my first one ever. And I have to say that I was mighty disappointed, as it is a just a couple of slices of Mother's Pride (or french equivalent) with a slice of jambon inbetween and then some toasted cheese on top. Not even as good as cheese on toast!



Oh well.

With the weather so wonderfully clear, we decide to take a stroll round the town walls, as these command fine views over the town to the port and Channel beyond. We are passed by several joggers, one pair passed us something like 4 times, so either they were fast or we were slow. I'll let you decide that.



Once all the way round we find the Vole Hole is not open, despite it being ten to twelve, and so we decide to head to the car, go to le supermarche for some stinky cheese and then get some wine and head home. A quick blast up the motorway to Calais, along to Carfours, get the cheese, checkout, back to the car to the wine warehouse. Check the prices, get six cases, pay for them and down to the tunnel to check in, on the next train and back to merries old England.

And back home for three in the afternoon with just about having down all we set out to do. Time then for a coffee, a generous slice of tatre de pommes and a pistachio macaroon and we're set for the rest of the day.