After learning Tuesday morning that the replacement derailleur hanger had finally arrived at my local shop, I headed for Amiens to reunite Scott Anderson with his errant Pendleton shirt, which had somehow turned up at their Paris hotel. I arrived in Amiens mid-afternoon, greeted by Rachael while Scott was out for a loop ride on the Noye. It wasn't long before Scott returned and after a couple of hours of idle chatting we headed for dinner at a local brasserie located near the Horloge Dewailly – known by locals as Marie-sans-chemise. When we emerged from the restaurant, the streets were aglow in the warmth of the setting sun. We ambled over to the magnificent Amiens cathedral, delighting in the intricate gargoyles and the stories they told, intended tales or those imagined by us.
At Gare du Nord, ready to board the train for Amiens
The Horloge Dewailly, with the Amiens Cathedral in the background The clock is known by locals as Marie-sans-chemise, a moniker that reflects the half-naked lady at the base of the clock.
Scott and Rachael are puzzled why the placard in front of the Horloge Dewailly is all about Jules Verne and his female characters - with no mention of the clock. It is true that Jules Verne and his wife Honorine lived in Amiens for 18 years, but I'm still puzzled.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens. Scott provides more information on the cathedral as well as interior photos in his post https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/europe2022/in-amiens-day-two/
We took real delight in the depiction in the middle panel in this section of the tympanun. The naked sinners on the right are being pushed into the mouth of a dragon by a devil-like monster while the clothed faithful on the left are guided by an angel thru a doorway to heaven
Scott AndersonThis is so strange. I looked for it the next day and couldn’t find it. Maybe someone went up and gave him a buzz cut overnight. Reply to this comment 2 years ago
I stayed overnight in Amiens, waking Wednesday morning to gray skies and drizzle. Rachael and I made a croissant run, staying mostly dry, and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of pastries, scrambled eggs, and copious amounts of coffee. By 9 am it was clear that the rain had settled in, squashing our plans for a morning exploration of Amiens. I booked the 10:06 train back to Paris, said my good-byes and braved the soggy streets for the 15 minute walk to the train station.
I’d received word Tuesday night that Vivien George was ready to go – great joy and relief! Once back in Paris, I headed over to L’Hirondelle. Max wasn’t there when I arrived but Jimmy was all smiles as he wheeled Vivien George out to the register. I pulled up my Cycle Blaze post with his and Max’s picture and he promised to share it with all the shop guys. After many thanks, I took Vivien George for spin through the local streets and everything seemed to be in working order. Slovenia here we come!
