All the stories of French garage people are completely wrong. We couldn't have received a better reception at home - in fact, it may have been even better. The problem sorted, but we will have to wait until tomorrow to get the generator belt and spool fixed. That's okay because we were going to spend another day here as it was.
One little side story: when we first entered the garage we asked the first person, "Parlez vous Anglais?"
His reply was, "Absolutemont, n'est pas!" We laughed - given the same question a year ago, the response was ( with a heavy French accent and a haughty reply) "Of course!"
But we do love the French.
The morning rain had disappeared by the time we set out to explore Amiens - again (visited here two years ago). Our walk into the city took us past the medieval waterside district of St Leu - the little Venice of the North. This is a picturesque quarter with many restaurants and houses with colourful facades, and criss-crossed by canals.
From here the views of the famous Amiens Cathedral dominate the skyline. A visit was a must - given that it is one of the great gothic cathedrals of France. This area, Picardie, is thought of as the cradle of Gothic architecture.
The weeping angel -sad that benevolent bishop had died.
The Amiens Cathedral has the largest Gothic edifice ever built. Fortunately it has survived and been preserved through two bitter conflicts of the last century, and the vagaries of politics over the past 1000 years.
As a matter of fact, the well known Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral could fit into it twice over. It is quite breath-taking to spend reflection time within the walls.
Back to reality with a barbecue at the back of the van!
