It was a glorious day when I finally left Filliervres and headed east towards Frevent. I passed a number of little towns that all seemed to be closed. Even in Frevent, which is a reasonably large place, most of the shops were closed. The French retailing hours a mystery to me.
Windmills
I passed a number of windmills. Each time I see a windmill I can’t help thinking of Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey and their ludicrous dislike of this very good technology.
This part of France is not spectacular, however the countryside is pleasant enough. As I rode along I listened to podcast on the First Ashes Test being played in Cardiff. There no doubt about the ability of the BBC to broadcast sport.
Into Arras
It was late in the afternoon when I arrived in Arras. Getting into the centre of the city was like solving a maze. The one way streets system seemed to be designed to prevent anyone getting into the centre.
I finally found the central square. It is quite impressive.
Arras was basically destroyed in both world wars and had to be rebuilt on both occasions. Fortunately, the rebuilding involved returning the city square and the surrounding area to their original state.
I made me think would should happen if the centre of Civic in Canberra was ever destroyed. I certainly would not advocate the rebuilding on Garema Place in its original state.
The Benefits of City Square
There is no doubt that a good centre square, like the one in Arras (and many other European towns and cities), can be a major attraction. It is disappointing that the planners of Australian cities and towns, including Canberra’s, did not look to Europe for inspiration.
Staying a Hotel
I decided to stay in the city. I checked in the Ibis Hotel, a cheap and cheerful place a block from the square.
After a shower, I went for a walk. I was met by a very large dog. Check out the flickr photo.
In a street off the square I found a busy little restaurant for a meal. It was only after I had ordered that I realised that there was only one waiter. This bloke was coping. He must be the most efficient waiter in the whole of France.
After the meal I had couple of beers in a bar on the square. It was a bit of the happening place.
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