Day 69 Reims
No official walking or strolling today. Today has been a day of catching up with washing and replenishing supplies of various soapy stuff, foot care products and maps. Yesterday’s stroll in the wet convinced me that my comfortable strolling shoes are comfortable no more. The soles are thin, the uppers are holed, any water resistance has long since disappeared and they have acquired a strange smell. Not the smell of feet or of any recognizable body secretion but a pungent earthiness which is not completely unpleasant, if the shoes are placed on the balcony at night rather than in the bedroom.
I discovered today that size 12 feet are not common in France so all you size 14 people had better get your shoes elsewhere. I have had to buy the only pair of shoes which fitted me so tomorrow will have an added ingredient of uncertainty.
We now have an electric kettle as part of our kit and I am enjoying a cup of tea made with water boiled in the very same kettle. Janet is delighted as she wlll be able to have a hot water bottle which is hot once again.
This isn’t the first visit to Reims for us and as we both really like the city it has been a pleasure strolling around as we do our bits and pieces of business.
Looking through the few photos of today I can see that my obsessions are obvious. All the pictures are of the tramway, the one above does have a bit of the cathedral poking out in the background. The most spectacular building is the cathedral but my photos are of trams. I must lift up mine eyes etc.
Last time we were here the centre of the city was in turmoil as a new tramway was being created. Driving around was a complete nightmare as all of the one way system was subject to diversion. Now the tramway is finished and it looks magnificent. If we don’t make any mistakes during tomorrow’s stroll there might be time for a tram trip.
Well you certainly seem to be galloping through France. I found when I cycled across France with peter that the biggest problem was all those boulangeries and pattiseries which meant all my waistbands started to feel like cheese wires and I had to start cycling past cake shops without stopping (very hard). Loveley to hear and see pictures of places I have been through. This blog is better than telly!
Before we left people told us that we could become thin as a result of this trip. This has not proven to be the case, we are fitter and stronger but not thinner.
It’s possible that I share your obsessions slightly. While driving up to Dornoch from Inverness I was delighted to cross three different firths on three different and lovely bridges. I have a number of photos of the first bridge – also of the views from it, but quite a number of the bridge!
I’m glad the kettle has arrived and is being put to good use 🙂
I am very pleased to hear about the bridge obsession. The kettle has provided the tea I am drinking as I write this. So well done on two separate fronts.
Mike
You are clearly doing more for Anglo-French relations that our mighty football team, who very effectively parked the bus in front of our goal and stifled the hell out of the Gallic flair!
Good to catch up with your stroll-news, and reassuring that all men of a certain age seem to become fixated with trams…..
I’m also showing an alarming interest in bridges and tunnels….
All well in Blighty, and just be thankful you missed the Jubilee!
Love to you both from your Sussex relations.
I thought that “being tight at the back” was a virtue amongst football teams.
Now that I have publicly confessed to a fondness for bridges, tunnels, trams and trains many more people have been able to come to terms with their own, similar, obsessions.
Love to you all as well from the Pan European relations.