This one was a gem. The alcohol was already flowing - clearly, judging by Madame's nose, a regular feature for her, and her clientele. And a charming lady she was. The last (so she feared in this changing world) of four generations to have owned the Tabac. She did not see how it could survive much longer. A French tradition under a genuine threat of extinction.
The centre of village life (over 21 years of footballing trophies graced the walls), it was sad to think this place might disappear.
France remains the country it is because it has hung on to its traditions. Every part of France has its own character. We must hope that this will never change.
Our route to Wierre Effroy proved as interesting as the rest of our travels. As is strangely often the case, travelling along a fairly inconspicuous 'D' road, you can happen upon a road junction that is completely out of character - slip roads, flyovers, crash barriers. It's as though someone in the local government department had discovered money left in the annual road-building budget and just had to use it up - or give it up!
It was clear that this particular junction had had an additional problem. The department had over-ordered on the crash barrier by about 100 metres. Now what on earth can you do with 100 metres of spare crash barrier? Pause a while and try to imagine what YOU would do, before clicking here to find out what THEY did. Did you think the same? No? Now, how did I know that....?
Lunch thoroughly enjoyed, but sadly over, the last two hours of cycling back to Calais were, as always, among the most arduous. It's probably more to do with reaching the end of our trip than because of the terrain. There was still something to lift our spirits, however. Once again, Norman excelled. A quick call to his mobile (pre-planned) and he met us well before the official pick-up point, then drove us to the other side of Calais so that we could buy a few cases of wine each to take home. Where else would you get such cross-channel service when cycling?
The rail/bike concept had proved a resounding success. Where next year, then? Perhaps a train to Peronne and a return visit to the Somme battlefields - we'll just have to wait and see....!
