La Bassee

Yesterday, Friday, we got an early start leaving Paris. At 8:15 we pulled the car out of its parking spot onto the single lane street behind a truck which was unloading groceries for the market across the street. The driver assured us that he would be finished in just 45 minutes so Edie backed the car to the next intersection and we spun around and went the other way. Edie negotiated rush hour traffic across the Seinne and out of town. 

Two hours later we were in Reims (pronounced "rance" with a throaty r). We spent several hours in the Cathedral where French kings were crowned. A beautiful and holy place. We had lunch looking up at the west facade. 

Then we drove to our Airbnb lodgings in Violaines near La Bassee. Sandrine, our hostess, greeted us warmly with a kiss on both cheeks. They gave us a surprise basket containing a loaf of bread, two kinds of cheese, both soft and one stinky, and a very delicious hard sausage. 

We then drove to the house where Dad was hidden and looked at the memorial plaque. The house is very tiny, made of brick and connected to the one next to it on the one side. The house was all closed up with tambour barriers pulled down over all windows and the door. We imposed on a nice French family who happened by to tell us about the house. They said the woman who owned it had died one month ago. They were very interested in hearing about Dad. They gave us the name of the woman's son and told us we could get his address in the town hall. Too late yesterday to do that. We found a nice little restaurant in this small town and had a delicious dinner. 

Today Sandrine says we are to be ready at 10:00 AM for some kind of surprise that is going to occupy us until 1:00 PM. More on that later. This afternoon after the surprise we are driving to Poperinge to spend some time with Christine and Patrick Morel.