Arras Ride 1

Destination Calais. Unfortunately the channel coast is a long way from our house so to keep the ride in the 40 mile range we had to drive over 85 KM to the starting point. While 36+ miles does not seem like a long way a major portion was over hill and dale and through more towns than you can count. While quaint on the bike they are a nuisance in the car going less than 20 MPH. We toughed it out and were on the bikes by 10 AM.

Paved secondary roads even had cycling signs but were still plagued by gravel farm roads along our route. We zigged then we zagged back to a numbered road, abandoning our planned ride for a more direct numbered road route. 

Among the many crops were extensive fields of potatoes. A real live picture of a Van Gogh painting. 

As you approach the coast we go from rolling hills to flatter than flat. Canals dotted the landscape with an occasional bird posing for photos. This grey heron was no exception. 

Why did the cyclist cross the canal? To get to the other side of course. This draw bridge was an intriguing contraption which the photo does not convey.  

Signs for Calais and the Tunnel tell us that we are heading in the right direction. Riding due north will get us there, but the signs do help.

We would have liked to see the entrance to the Chunnel but did not want to deviate that far. If you have seen the entrance to the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, what could be so different? 

Now we know we are close. A KFC would be an ideal lunch but we have more ambitious plans. 

Guess we have arrived, although navigating through the city congestion is going to be a challenge. 

Hotel de Ville

No it is not a place to rent a room for the night, but another term for city hall. 

The story behind the construction reflects on the memory of the English occupation dating back to the time of Joan of Arc, King Henry VIII, and Queen Elizabeth I. 

Notice the steeple and bell tower which is visible upon entry to Calais. 

Our must see site in Calais was the Rodin sculpture "The Burghers of Calais".

To our dismay the sculpture was behind an enclosure while workers were busy given it a thorough cleaning. At least we could see the top of the figures along with the head of a cleaner. Fortunately we did see another of the castings in the Rodin museum many years ago. 

 It commemorates an event during the Hundred Years' War, when Calais, a French port on the English Channel, was under siege by the English for about eleven months. Calais commissioned Rodin to create the sculpture in 1884 and the work was completed in 1889.

As the story is told after the fall of Calais the English threatened to kill every resident of the town, but would spare the populace if six of the town fathers would come forth to sacrifice their lives to save the others. The six appear with a noose around their necks but were also spared upon the urging of the English queen. True or not it makes for a great Rodin sculpture.  

A memorial to something or other with Kim in the foreground. 

Full view of the sculpture behind the floral display and in front of the Hotel de Ville. 

A prominent light house - we must be close to the coast. 

The ferry to Dover just across the English channel. 

A place for lunch.

Indoor seating on this cool and breezy day. The winds along the coast are strong and constant, something we were told about and expect to encounter in Normandy as well. 

An Asian noodle and beef dish ... 

and duck (canard) in a tangy sauce. 

Great picks for our hungry bodies. 

Not sure where this was taken but there are many roads that lead to Jerusalem.