The Most Memorable Memorial Day EVER

When we arrived in Cambrai it was time for our first guests.  Tom and I walked to the train station and checked the arrivals board.  There was no train expected at the time our friends had said they would arrive!  This was a problem.  Not only did we no longer have any idea as to when to expect them, but also I had invited other people to join us for cocktails in a short time.  We decided that Tom would wait for the next train and I would find my way back to Rabelo to prepare the appetizers.  Tom was relieved to see them on the next train and I was happy to have everyone here together in time for the little party I had arranged.  Cambrai was the town we came to three years ago for barge school.  Our teachers Tam and Di were still here and it was great catching up with them.

We wanted to show Bruce and Tess the area so we rented a car for the day.  We promised the car rental agency we would have the car back no later than 5:55pm because they close at 6:00.  First we went to see the site of the Armistice, which was very sobering.  On November 11, 1918 and again on June 22, 1940 an armistice was signed on this exact same site.  Knowing we were walking on the same ground where Hitler walked is creepy.  From there, needing something happier we went to see my favorite Chateau de Pierrefonds that we had visited 12 years ago.  We rushed through the Chateau because we needed to return the car.  Bruce did his best driving but traffic held us up.  We arrived to return the car at 6:05!  So much for our early start the next day.

Following the Canal de Saint-Quentin we went to Le Champ Luseaux.  It was election day and a national holiday. We met a darling farmer who was very proud of his garden.  I thought his garden was amazing (and very large).  He had many of his seedlings in what looked like plastic water bottles with the bottoms cut off (I assume).  We saw how the French vote, and we met the mayor. 

It was Memorial Day as well as Election Day.  Unfortunately we didn’t find out in time about the ceremony being held at the cemetery.  It was too far to walk to anyway.  We did get to attend the party in the village after the ceremony.  The most important dignitaries returned to Paris, but we were able to meet a few people.  I found it very emotional to discover that the French celebrate OUR Memorial Day, and how much they appreciate what the United States did for France.  The French remember that America saved them!

Bruce and Tess arrive!

Our gardener friend Mr Blavis.  Check out his suspenders.

Mr. Blavis' amazing garden!

Some people have interesting ideas as to what makes a good barge.

World War I tank.

Being on the site of the armistice was no less emotional 12 years later.

My favorite Chateau of 12 years ago Chateau de Pierrefonds.

Could this be the entrances to the Secret Garden?

Welcome!  Welcome!

This hall reminds me of Fontainebleau and Versaille.

View from the Chateau

Courtyard

The art inside the chateau was done by the company that did the "skin" from the Statue of Liberty. There were many examples of their work.

We were able to witness a wedding reception at the Abbaye de Vaucelles.

The happy bride and groom.

The back of the Abbaye

We found these convicts walking along the canal.

Election Day.  The mayor is the woman with the blue, white and red top.

Great faces.

Some local color

 

People dress in period costumes going from one war site to another.

War memorabilia 

The new military patrol  

The children sang songs and speeches were given.

We had the chance to walk and talk.