Well after all the rushing about on the third day of our holiday, when we explored Ypres, we thought we would have a quieter day next. So our fourth day in the Pas de Calais region of France was a more leisurely day, spent around the cottage and exploring the town of Arques, in which we were staying.
So after our now regular breakfast of pain au chocolat’s and croissants bought fresh from the local boulangerie, Mel and her mum went for a walk into town, whilst the girls went for a dip in the pool and I relaxed in the sunshine, in our little secluded garden area, with a good book.
We all decided to go back out after lunch, as we were running low on food and needed to drop in at the supermarket in the town. So we took the car, parked up in the supermarket car park, and walked over the bridge into the town centre.
Now Arques isn’t very big and when I say town centre that may be somewhat of an exaggeration. It does however have a market square and town hall but not a lot else.
There are a few shops lining the main street but not many. To do more shopping you need to go to the neighbouring town of Saint-Omer.
Through the middle of Arques runs a lovely picturesque river called the Aa (yes that is the correct spelling).
From this waterway leads a canal lift that used to lift boats from the lower level of the river Aa up to the Neuffossée canal.
This lift built in 1888 moved the barges the 13.13 meters between the two waterways removing the need for the 5 earlier locks built in the 18th century. It remained in use for 80 years before being replaced by a large gauge lock further upstream. It now only operates as a working museum.
It had been a restful day but still enjoyable, getting to know a little bit more about the place we were staying in.
_____________________________________________
Moving from the holiday to the present we have just been out to an evening of Celebration and Achievement for Sport, Drama and Music laid on by our daughters school.
Keziah our eldest daughter was being awarded a Silver Achievement Award for her contributions to school choir and Billy Elliot where she played Billy's brother Tony.
I’m sure you would join me in saying well done Kez we are proud of you.
Results are in for this weeks header challenge and this weeks winner is Tom-fishing Guy with me getting the Silver, thanks everyone. If you haven’t already looked at the other entrants then why not follow the links at the top of the right column.
Don’t forget to pop back tomorrow for the continuing journey around Pas de Calais, France.
Technorati Tags: Calais,France,cottage,Arques,river,waterway,canal,Neuffossée,locks,boats,waterways
3 comments:
Most interesting pics Dave and loved the lift up to the canal, also the Guildhall - looks a beaut od a building.
Hope you not eating to much choc tho,lol.
Congrats Kez, and well done, it was a brill film.
Too good and superb post, nice photos, Thanks.
What fabulous shots!
Post a Comment