| Lille to Ypres |
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| Racked-up bikes again! - and that could mean only one thing - we'd stopped somewhere for refreshment! This time it was Lille - in the central square. The last time Paul and I visited Lille back in 2003, I only took the one picture - well not so much better this time, really, but just a few more. Lille is a splendid city - I had been taught at school that it was a dark and unwelcoming industrial centre - but this was far from the truth. |
| On the contrary, Lille is quite a splendid city with a strong Flemish influence to its architecture, as the accompanying pictures hopefully evidence and convey. The city's name derives from the Latin word meaning 'insula' or 'island' - it was in fact a settlement originally in the middle of marshland. Through the 16th and 17th centuries Lille changed hands between the Dutch and French as battles for its possession ensued. |
| The 19th century was more stable with industrial growth and railway connection with Paris. Lille grew, tripling in size and absorbing many neighbouring towns. Its population doubled. Louis Pasteur became the first Dean of the Lille Science Faculty in 1854 and Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille in 1890. Two world wars brought their toll, however. Industry declined. Today Lille is principally a business and administration centre, yet still a city that makes visitors a welcome and extends friendly hospitality. |
| Jim (left) was not happy - it was starting to rain. Brian (behind in the yellow) confirmed this with palm faced upwards. And so it was that we saddled up again to head north out of Lille and towards Ypres - rain beating down upon us - the Wet Brigade, living up to its name! Getting out of Lille wasn't so easy. The north -east was blocked by the old citadel, which itself was surrounded by parkland and water |
| The Garmin eTrex came into its own, steering us in the right direction around and through the park and then on to the road that would take us through Ploegsteert, Messines and finally on to Ypres. The only negative was the persistent rain that looked to be set for the day. It did, however, relent after three hours - more or less as we stopped for lunch and just in time to ditch cyclist pal Barry! |