August 23, 2009
To Laon
It was a bit cold in the tent with mild dew. We were up at 6.30am and had juice and grapes for breakfast and were away by 7.45. There was something of a breeze which made it a mild head wind most of the way. It was strange that only one of the windmills was turning. The ride was pretty easy to Tergier where we had a coffee and then went completely off course. It must have put 10km onto our journey but at last with the help of the GPS we were back on the route. Then the long uphill through the forest to St Gabain were we ended up a bar full of smokers and betters but it had great coffee. It was here we found that Laon is pronounced Lon so it is now much easier to asked for directions. Tricia is going well a week after the drama on the ferry. Into the forest again then it was fairly flat until we reached Laon at about 1.40pm
As usual I guarded the bikes while Tricia set off to look for accommodation. She was very quick this time which was just as well as I was on a busy corner and people kept pulling up, winding down their windows and asking for directions in French!
The room was great that is apart from the terrible paintings of horses and the horse shoes that decorate the headboard (62E including breakfast). After the usual we set off to explore the old city which is up a steep hill and being Sunday the cable car is not working. This is at the top of the hill dominated by the impressive cathedral that apparently was inspired by the Cathedrals of Chartres and Reims. It was built between 1155 and 1250 and has 2 large organs. In the corner of the cathedral is a pretty plaque that commemorates the members of the commonwealth who died in WW1 – The NZ emblem is there with those of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, Canada, Newfoundland and South Africa We enjoyed a very expensive beer in the bar opposite, got our Pilgrim stamps then wandered back to the hotel buying beer, cider and hamburgers for our meal.
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