Dinner with our new Canadian friends was fun. A busy bar became non busy in the blink of an eye as what seemed like a protest march was for a moment more interesting than a drink. So room was made for us as we watched, what was really an entree to a big football game heading for the football stadium.
A walk with friends through our first, I think, tram city, (I love the gentle flow of trams, with their fleeting bell ring that gives a certain calm, unhurried atmosphere to a city) was very enjoyable as we took in the special night of a lit-up Cathedral.
Back home it was all work. The four of us, for the first time in a multitude of walks between us had failed to secure a room for tomorrow. Corrie and I had planned to catch a train off track to Troyes because our Swiss friends said it should not be missed. Trains were running to this city, but they wouldn’t be there to bring us back on track – strike Saturday midnight to Monday midnight.
So we tried to book a room to continue our walk but nil available for the next 40kms. Our friends finally got a 30 km room but too far for us. Still a few hours before midnight so booked a train. The slightly rolling open fields are back with a smattering of trees, again with small narrow forests probably covering a large river.
Our new residence has a lofty view over a square of fascinating architectural delight with brick terraces and Tudor-style wooden buildings. On our way here we visited the St Etienne Cathedral and were in awe of the many colourful stained glass windows, similar to The Cathedral of light in Spain’s City of Leon.
Accommodation remains a high priority as we await a return call from a Chambre d’hote – husband speaks English, she doesn’t. That will make it easier even though Corrie has little trouble in booking a room in French.
