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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Pont du Gard

    21. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    On our way to Carcassonne, we stopped at a World UNESCO site called Pont du Gard. This is an ancient Roman aqueduct built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 kilometers to the Roman city of Nimes. Built of limestone, the aqueduct rises above the river in a fine example of Roman arches and engineering.
    We walked down to the aqueduct and crossed it to the other side where I also took a look at a prehistoric cave near the base of the bridge. Olive trees and flowering shrubs dotted the landscape before giving way to the forest blanketing the hills. This is a beautiful and interesting area.
    We made it back to the information center in time to watch a short video about the aqueduct and learned more about the engineering skills of the Romans. Of course, the hard work was done by the slaves, and I couldn't help but think that I would probably be a slave if I lived in those times. The emotional impact of this site would be very different from a slaves' point of view as opposed to that of a tourist.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Carcassonne

    22. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Carcassonne is a walled city built by the Romans and then taken over by the French. It used to stand on the border between France and Spain, making it a necessary fortification to protect the French, but eventually the Spanish border was moved closer to the Pyrenees mountains, reducing the need for this castle.
    Inside the walls, we visited the Basilica with its beautiful stained glass, but we learned about a religious crusade that raged here in the Languedoc lands. In the 11th century, a new religion appeared in this region called Cathars, and they didn't adhere to the Catholic beliefs. They didn't pay homage to the Pope, but called themselves Christians. They believed that the good God created everything immaterial like the soul and the evil power created material things. Therefore getting rid of material possessions would bring you closer to God. Of course, the opulent Catholic Churches seemed to be evil places to the Cathars, who did not build churches, but held worship in their houses and believed in reincarnation.
    The Catholic Church became concerned about the rapid spread of Cathar, and Pope Innocent III called for all crusade or war of terror to "kill them all, God will know his own". It is estimated that around half a million men, women and children were killed during this terrible time and this also started the Inquisition as Cathars were tortured prior to dying.
    Eventually the Cathars fled to new lands such as North America. This type of history is really hard to reconcile with the concept of a loving, healing Christianity. It's hard to think about the atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion.
    But interestingly, at a shop nearby the Basilica, there were witches for sale reminding me of Galicia, Spain!    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Carcassonne castle

    22. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The Chateau de Carcassonne cost $9.50 per person to enter and it took over an hour to walk through it, climbing up to towers and descending into rooms filled with Roman artifacts. In one room, there were musicians playing medieval instruments including one that was very reminiscent of bagpipes.
    We saw hoarders which are wooden corridors high up on the walls of the Chateau. These were used by soldiers to shoot their crossbows or drop stones onto attackers.
    By the time we left the castle, Doug was played out. We made our way to a restaurant named L'Escargot for a break. Doug had some escargots, while I had foie gras. Then he had a beef skewer with baby potatoes and vegetables. I had squid followed by a chocolate lava cake. Doug had salted caramel bread pudding and it was a lovely break before rejoining our bus tour.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes

    22. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    After a day of traveling on the bus, we arrived in the town of Lourdes which is only about 15,000 in population. This is considered a Holy Sanctuary because a 14 year old girl, named Bernadette, saw a series of apparitions in a cave in 1858, that told her that the apparition was the immaculate conception. The girl dug in the ground of the cave as directed by the apparition and water started flowing in a spring that has never gone dry since.
    Three Basilicas have been built here and the largest and newest one holds 25,000 people and is built underground. The other two stand in a square with religious mosaics, tall steeples and a crowned dome marking their importance.
    Walking past the Basilicas, we found the famous cave or grotto with a tower of candles in front. Crossing the river by bridge brought us to a series of huts that were called the chambers of light. Here, the faithful can buy candles and light them in the chambers as prayers for loved ones. Hundreds of candles flickered and sputtered under the large fume hoods.
    This place feels very powerful and spiritual. I'm so glad we came here.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Lourdes, France

    22. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    The town of Lourdes is completely devoted to the Sanctuary and the streets are lined with hotels and souvenir shops selling all manner of religious items. We bought some small bottles to collect Holy water in, and a couple of rosaries, as well as our candles for the procession later tonight.
    Our hotel, Gallia Lourdes, could have stepped right out of a set for Downton Abbey as it was furnished with vintage two seat conversation settees to the round multi seat settee. The dining room sported crystal chandeliers and vintage cornices and mouldings that really appealed to my decorating tastes. Near the Basilica, statues abound usually featuring Mary or Bernadette, and there were several areas where we could collect Holy Spring water. I'm glad we're not here in high season, as there were big enough crowds now!    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Lourdes, Candlelight procession

    22. april 2023, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    At 9:00 pm every night, a candlelight procession is held in Lourdes. People start gathering in groups and form a long line, each holding a candle with a plastic or paper cover to shield the flame. We had purchased our candles near our hotel for 50 euros cents each.
    When the procession is ready to start, everyone lights their candles from others in the lineup, sharing with each other. From an eagle's perspective, it must look like a tiny flame at first that spreads and spreads until thousands of flickering flames make a glowing light moving and swaying in the night.
    As the procession follows the image of Mary down a road that winds around like a "U,", and ending up in the square in front of the Basilica, voices are broadcast in many different languages reciting prayers and singing songs. Each time "Ave Maria" is sung, the crowd joins in the chorus while lifting their candles to the sky in a powerful, unified demonstration of faith.
    Finally Mary is taken inside the church and gradually the crowd blows out their candles and heads home for the night. Doug and I walked home quietly, each reflecting on this very personal experience.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Mass in the Crypt, Baths and Grotto

    23. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    This morning we got up at 6:15 am so we could be at the 7:00 am mass in the crypt. This chapel was quite small and we were worried about getting a seat, so we arrived half an hour early, and found only one other person there!
    Slowly the chapel filled until there were about 40 people in total and then we experienced a French mass led by two priests in white robes. It has been many years since I've been at a church service with Doug and this was a nice experience for me.
    We left the crypt as the sun rose behind the crowned dome supporting a large cross. The birds were singing and it seemed that "morning has broken" just like in one of my favorite songs.
    We lined up by the Lourdes Baths, because it can take hours to enter this part of the sanctuary. We even beat the volunteers there, only to be advised that the Baths are never busy on Sunday mornings because everyone goes to the international service first. But our waiting paid off as ourselves and 2 other couples from our tour were the first ones brought in for this ceremony. This used to mean that the person disrobed and was completely immersed in the Lourdes spring water that has produced miracles for some. But, due to the pandemic, this procedure has stopped.
    Doug and I were allowed to enter the chamber together, where a stone "bathtub" stood in front of us which is where immersion used to happen. Instead, we stood with a volunteer on each side and were led through a ritual. Our volunteer guide told us that Mary had instructed Bernadette to use the spring water to wash her hands, and then she poured water from the grotto spring into our hands and we washed them.
    Next, the volunteer told us that Mary had told Bernadette to wash her face and water was again poured into our hands and we washed our faces.
    Finally, the volunteer said that Mary told Bernadette to drink the spring water and she poured more water into our hands and we drank the Holy water.
    Our Bath was completed by prayers led by the volunteer. I think it might have been "Holy mother of God", but I don't know the words to this Catholic prayer so I listened quietly.
    The whole procedure was beautiful, and meaningful and caring. It invoked deep feelings in me that brought tears to my eyes and I am glad to have shared this moment with Doug.
    As we left the Baths, a service was just finishing at the Grotto, so we got in to see the place where the spring now runs and the place where the apparition of Mary appeared.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Chateau du Payre

    24. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Tonight we traveled on our bus for about an hour to reach Chateau du Payre, our optional evening tour. This vineyard and winery is a 5th generation woman owned business that has expanded into a Bed and Breakfast wine touring venue. Located on the edge of a small town, our hostess owns acres and acres of vines stretching as far as the eye can see.
    We got to walk through her Chateau grounds to the vineyard and she explained how grapes grow, how she prunes the plants to create better ventilation for the fruit and how she harvests differently for each variety of wine.
    Later, she took us into her winery where she showed us the tanks that store the grape juice as it ferments for three weeks. Next came the underground cement storage vats where the wine can wait before being blended and bottled.
    This winery makes 15 types of wine, including some white, rose and many reds. After a short video about her winery, she served three different white wines to taste. Then she brought us to a dining room where she served us a three course meal with a rose and two red wines to sample. A charcuterie board was followed by Quiche Lorraine and salad, and then a creamy fruity dessert wrapped up our evening.
    Spirits were quite high as we said our goodbyes to this very industrious entrepreneur, and returned to our bus for our trip home.    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Bordeaux

    24. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Bordeaux means "edge of water" and the part of the city that we visited ran along the wide, cafe au lait coloured Garonne river. We spent two nights in this city famous for its robust red wines, its Gross Cloche and its limestone buildings.
    On my Mom's birthday, we drove around Bordeaux for a city tour and when we passed le Grosse Cloche, a beautiful city gate I wanted to see, the bus barely paused. I was quite disappointed, but c'est la vie!
    We toured on foot at the centre of town and saw a beautiful fountain. When we stopped for free time, Doug and our friends wanted to sit in a wine bar, so I decided to go for a walk and find my gate.
    I made sure to verify my map orientation with our guide and off I went, suddenly free to explore! I headed down St. Catherine Street until I found an arch with two bronze turtles beside it. This meant I'd walked too far, but I think I was meant to see these turtles.
    It was only an adjustment of a few blocks and there I was, standing in front of the Big Bell gate. It was worth the visit to this 18th century bell above a former dungeon for juveniles. This gate was one of two Middle Aged entrances to the city, built in the 15th century and this bell was installed in 1775.
    After I returned to my friends, I still had an hour to walk and my group were not interested, so I went to the nearby Place des Quinconces and saw the Monument aux Girondist which had stampeding stallions that had mermaid tales and water streaming out of their nostrils. The steeds were held in check by a Goddess and her entourage.
    Surrounding this Square was a huge flea market selling antiques. I enjoyed strolling through this treasure trove, dreaming of how I could decorate a villa with these vintage pieces.
    What an experience discovering this city on my own!    Læs mere

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  • Olddustyboots.comOlddustyboots.comBelgium, France and Holland

    Cognac

    25. april 2023, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Cognac is the name of a region in France and the famous distilled liquor is made here, which is where we toured next. We learned that this beverage can be made in other parts of the world, but then it's called brandy.
    The tour was at a grand Chateau , so before we learned about making Cognac, we toured this castle where one of the kings of France was born. We started in a great room that had a huge fireplace and were led through a series of rooms decorated with coats of arms bearing a fire breathing salamander, busts of Queens and paintings of the King.
    We stopped in the stable that only housed the King's horse and then climbed to a beautiful, long room with ornate ceiling arches that actually formed the letter "W" in honour of the Royal. Although it can't be proven yet, there's great suspicion that Leonardo da Vinci might have designed this room as he was a good friend of the King.
    Finally we came to the cellars under this palace that are now used to store barrels of Cognac as it ages for a variety of years, up to eighty. After eighty years, we were told that the taste of the Cognac declines and is not good anymore. This would mean that the workers in this distillery will be making bottles of liquor that won't be opened in their lifetimes.
    Heavy cobwebs decorate this cool room that smells like the drink it protects, and to save the oak barrels from insects that like to burrow in wood, each one has narrow wooden bindings that attract the bugs away from oak. Then the caves are home to many spiders that eat the bugs. So the cobwebs are appreciated and celebrated.
    Back at the reception center, glasses of 40% amber liquid were served and Doug must have liked the Cognac tasting because he bought a bottle to bring home.    Læs mere

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