Jack's Blog: June 2009

Last update - 22/6 22:32

Thursday 21st

Stopping at Beauvais for coffee; Bill had another yarn to tell...

Friday 22nd

Pierrefonds -the castle

The Hotel Beaudon >>>>>>
An excellent base for motorcyclists. We were looked after admirably by our host Pascal.
http://www.hotel-pierrefonds.com/

View of the castle from hotel bedroom.

The 'massive' market in Pierrefonds square, some flowers for the lady and a half kilo of turnips for Bill and Will. "Stuff that!" says Kenny.

I dont know what these two are up to! Better not ask!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then there were three! Maybe they are discussing the turnips. More like admiring the talent if you ask me?

So where's this castle then?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Here's Thomas with his large 'sticky out thing'.
Camera - that is!

Now this is how it works - you nurdle the toggle spring, then squeeze the scrotchit while holding down the doobry firking! See? It's really quite simple.

Now look here Jacko me lad, I forgive you for trying to steal these virgins,

but I'm first!

Honest, me Lordship, I didnt break the winda,
they dun it, then naffed orf an left me 'ere.

William Lowe; you will be taken from this place to a place of elocution, where you will be deprived of your motorcycle for one week, may God have mercy on the other pedestrians.

I'll tell you a story about those nine Valiant Ladies above the grand fireplace: Napoleon III's architect Viollett-le-Duc portrayed the face of the Empress Eugenie (Mrs Napoleon, who is the centre figure) as Semiramis, the legendary queen of Babylon and Assyria, flanked by her eight ladies-in-waiting, whos faces represent various heroines in history. But the figure on the right is depicted as the Empress's private secretary and confidante, who, as a commoner, is the only Lady not wearing a crown. Ahh, didnt spot that, did you? Kenny was not amused - yawn!

The Hall of the Valiant Ladies (Salle des Preuses) was designed for the receptions of the imperial court,

mainly a ballroom. Its other function was to show off the exceptional collection of armour that Napoleon had acquired from Prince Soltykoff in 1861, unfortunately the entire collection was moved to Paris a few years later and never returned to Pierrefonds.

As well as Valiant Ladies, Valiant Knights are dominant in the castle's symbolism and history. The original fortress built by the Duke of Orleans at the end of the 14th century, had monumental statues of the valiant Knights built into its eight towers. They were restored to their original positions when the castle was rebuilt in the 19th century.

The main man; Louis of Valois, Duke of Orleans 1372 -1407, the younger brother of King Charles VI built the fortress (in the latter part of the 14th century) as one of the strongholds against the Duke of Burgundy who wanted a punch-up with Louis over how to govern France after his dad (Charly VI) went mad, threw a wobbly, and wasn't allowed to sit in the royal pram any longer. The plot thickens: Philip the Bold (Duke of Burgundy) died and the new Duke wanted big fisty-cuffs with his cousin Louis, so he had him assassinated while he was out clubing in Paris. Louis was succeeded by Charles and then one day in 1413 those treacherous Burgundians, using slippery tongues, got into the castle and burnt it down. It remained a ruin for many a long day eventually becoming a fashionable resort and was finally rebuilt by Nappy III in the 19th century.

Ghostly goings on in the crypt and those guys on the right must have caught an admiring glance or two!

Some lunchtime nap! This is the sixteen thousandth book I've read!

Thats enough excitement for one day!

.......................................................Let me oooouuuuuut!!

A stone model of the chateau which took ten years to build, it was exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1878.

Mock-up buildings in the castle grounds
for the production of Young Merlin which
is being filmed this June.

A good view of the village from the castle, the hotel is at the distant right.

Some interesting architecture in the village. This cat can't come down even if it wanted to - its petrified!

A little wine tasting aperitif, courtesy of our hospitable host, Pascal.
Bill is admiring the fine piquancy - but its all a bit of a blur!

The Friday night dinner could have been a bun fight - if we had any buns!

"Argh" Thomas says, "You see, the throngle widget has come away from the pixelater!"

Trevor found something amusing about the lack of food.

A very nice evening on the terrace all the same.

Saturday 23rd

Firstly, a little jaunt over to Seringes-et-Nestles where, just on its edge, lies the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery covering 36.5 acres and containing 6,012 graves of which 547 are unknown. An impressive and immaculate sight.

It was a hot day; Colin had the right idea

>>>>>>>>>>

A stop for lunch in Fismes, although all we could get were some strange crepes and a few leaves. But some naughty people had ice cream for pud! I think its those who cant do their jackets up easily!

Next stop - Laon. A medieval hilltop city - the hilltop took some finding; because we rode around in circles a few times, but we popped out at the top eventually. A very old city, a little run down, but interesting never the less.

As usual, Jacko was impressed by the huge organ

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now, where's that cake shop? ................

You meet the strangest people
in the alley ways

So, how do we get out this place, is it over there or is it down there?

Good roads, good scenery, good company
and..........a beer..............
perfic!

Sunday 24th

Another fine day as we set off for a ride up the Somme; on a train that is, not on the water.
We headed north through the lanes and over the Nord and Somme canals many a time, in fact we got quite dizzy.
A leg stretch at Buny......and Bill said "next time, can you find some shade and a bush?" So after a few minutes we found some shade and a bush, but Bill declined!

We got to Le Petit train de la Haute Somme at Froissy a bit early so we had to mess about on the platform waiting for the museum and ticket office to open.

The Museum and cafe finally opened and it was coffee and dunking biscuits all round...............ooooops!

The loco eventually arrived and it was
time to get aboard.

Too late! You'll have to get
the next one! >>>

'Steam and diesel locomotives take you for a run across the gorgeous 'vallee de la somme'. Along the waterside, through fields and woods, up to the Plateau du Santerre by a zig-zag track and a 230 metres long tunnel'

Over the hill and far away..

I don't know why, but Wil must be the only person who took a photo of a French turd!

"Look" says Harvey "I wouldn't say it was hard ride, but I am sure I had four fingers when we set out this morning!"

The paparazzi are everywhere!

"There we are, you see?" said Linda "your fingers were there all the time!"

While we were going back, they were coming up.

As well as the train ride, a nice museum...if you are into things mechanical>>

.... and through the 'round window' ....

.... and in the evening; Billy Biggles fed the ducks.

After which, a bit of sunset went down well!

Monday 25th.

The mob set off.........

.....and in the forest of Compiegne at the Armistice sight.

But poor little Chrissy and Jacko were all on their todd's at the hotel. Jacko was poorly with a dodgy eye and Chrissy wanted to adjust her flat pillion. But distant rumblings were a foot! No. not jacko's stomach, but a storm was brewing. A damsel in distress had to be rescued >>>>>>>>>>

So me and Chrissy set to catch up the others. It was mid-morning by now so we headed for Perrone which was the designated lunch stop. We went via Compiegne forest and with a miracle of timing the Mob popped out in front of us via a side road and we tagged on behind. Bill did a 'double take' as he saw us and said afterwards, "How did you do that?"

A stop at Peronne and Biggles is feeling the pinch! ..... 'Had better adjust my elastic!' >>>>>>>>>>>