France, 12 March 05

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To celebrate Ivy's having obtained her British passport, and as an early celebration of our fourth wedding anniversary, we decided to spend a week touring in Northern Europe. In a hectic week, we visited five countries: France, Luxembourg, Germany, Holland and Belgium. Obviously such a short visit can only give a minor flavour of these very diverse countries. Here is some of that flavour, day by day ....

We took our car across to France through the Channel Tunnel, operated by Eurotunnel. You can't drive through the tunnel (ventilation and breakdowns), but take your car onto a train which takes several hundred vehicles through at a time.

Charles found the toy car in the passenger terminal ...

.. and the most comfortable chairs in the lounge!

LAON CATHEDRAL

Laon is an ancient walled city built on a rocky outcrop in eastern France. The modern town sprawls round the foot of the rock. Given its history and locati8on, we found it amazing that there were virtually no visitors and negligible tourist infrastructure.

The Cathedral, seen here against the skyline, is early 11th Century. Some of its features inspired the better-known masterpieces at Reims and Chartres.

Oriel window and lancets.

Another Oriel window at the West end.

Ancient wall paintings still survive on the East wall, in fairly good condition. Christ here is depicted on the Cross.

The main door is adorned with dozens of statues of incredible intricacy. The beautiful carving is a tribute to the faith of the people who made it.

A wider view of the front, showing the two towers symmetrically placed either side of the oriel window over the entrance. This was a model for the design of the later, larger and more elaborate, front at Reims.

VIEWS

The Gatehouse leading into the old walled city.

View of the new town from the City walls.

Charles escaped from Ivy, but not to cause havoc this time ... just to sit on one of the benches!

On top of Laon's City walls: Charles trying to warm his hands on David.

HOTEL MERCURE

We stayed at the Hotel Mercure in the centre of Reims. This was the third hotel we tried, the others having been full. It is a good standard and within easy walking distance of the City centre.

Ivy preparing to go down to dinner at the Hotel restaurant.

Dinner .. including, of course, a bottle of Champagne (Reims being the centre of the Champagne area).

Charles going down the stairs from the Restaurant to the bar..

That was the end of the first day, which consisted mostly of driving. More to follow later ....