Into France ...

We set off after lunch (as I'd been to the hairdressers in the morning) and drove over the Jura and into France stopping at various Pharmacies on the way to pick up medications.




Our first stop was at Le Vauxoise, at Vaux sous Aubigny : a clean and delightful hotel, lovely bathroom, with a restaurant serving wholesome French food all at reasonable prices.

The following Day we visited Troyes.
The centre of Troyes dates from 1100s : interestingly architects have attempted to follow the style as can be seen from the moden buildings on te right.

It seems that the good people of Troyes ran out of funds before their cathedral could be finished.

It has a beautiful gothic nave...

... an interesting tableau and even some original mediaeval floor tiles.

We travelled on northwards to L'Epine where the Basilica towers over the village. Apparently one of the towers was removed in the last war to make room for a radio tranmitter ... when the war finished, there were not enough funds to rebuild the tower correctly.

The tympanium is highly decorated; but most of the saints lost their heads during the time of the French revolution 1793.

In the nave is a well from which Pilgims drink. Important not only in Mediaeval time but also in more recent times when a secure water supply was extremely precious.

Also interesting is staircase sculptured entirely from Stone.



The exterior boasts mny fine Gargoils including this of a man shouldering a devil.

Curious, is this effegy of a pig with a harp.




As we were in the area, we naturally had to start our meal at the Michelin starred Armes de Champagne with a bottle of Champagne.

September 2009 : PREP Course and European Sojourn

Following my encouraging experiences at the residential part of the PREP Course at Madingley Hall, I flew to France with my books and assignments to continue work there and in Italy.

The station in Cannes has some attractive murals.

I had intended to collect my Mini and drive it to Italy where I plan to garage it at my mother's house; but having rented a manual car to drive from LHR to Cambridge, I relised my knee was too painful to make the journey.

This was confirmed by my doctor who insisted I got an immediate MRI.

So I had to leave my baby with David, my mechanic: but still managed to enjoy a good Campagnard Salad

My mother waved her magic wand and ammazingly managed to arrange this and a specialist appointmentas soon as I arrived; and the specialist managed to get me intoa rather smart hospital only 3 days later !

So I arrive in Italy on Thursday evening ... and only a week later I was being discharged from hospital ! I had been very concerned that I would not be able to cycle in Cambridge ... but am reassured all will be well.

I even had a room all to myself ... however, I was not fed for 24 hours ! Typical Italian regulations ... and after 24 hours, when I could eat a cow, I got a tiny bowl of risottto.

I had been promised a speedy recovery: indeed the hobbling did not interfere with my enjoument of the apero !

It was great to have my close family see me off on my train ride to Switzerland.

There I collected some of my belongings and loaded the car, and after a welcome trip to the hairdresser, we set off.