Well let's see. Haven't really started on my trip yet, I've been busy sewing and, here's a surprise, waiting someone to open a store. It's 10:04am on a Saturday morning and I'm waiting on a store to open. Please, be very quiet. If the US Chamber of Commerce heard this they'd go into apoplexy, or something equally unpleasant. They might be forced to do something really bad, like stop bashing Obama and get on the banks (some of their most illustrious members), and get them to start lending some of all that money we've given them. Never mind. It's all Obama's fault. Everyone knows that.
Anyway, I bought an iPad last night. Why? Easy, space in the left saddlebag. That's where I
carry my computer on rides; and that baby eats up all but a small amount of space consumed by a first aid kit (small) and my ditty bag. (If you have to ask what that is you've never been in the service.).
A guy we work with from the US showed up at the plant with one this week. Had I not seen him using the thing I would have never one. But, I've been looking to downsize the road computer, and this thing is perfect. Or, at least, will be. Right now I'm missing two key components: a separate qwerty keyboard, and the USB connector required to download pictures. So, actually, I'm heavier, carrying more this trip because I have both the iPad and the computer. But that will change for the next trips. This thing is pretty neat.
The sewing? I put on my riding pants, placed a set of keys and my phone in the right front pocket and felt them fall through to my boots. But it's never that easy for the fat kid, no, never that easy. The pants have a mesh liner...so the items fell into the space between the pants and the liner making retrieval sort of a contortionist's trial. But I managed to get it done, and get on my way in plenty of time to get to the Apple store to wait on them to open.
I got the sim card installed and got out of town about 11:00am. Half the day gone and I got no miles. I needed miles so I boogied down toll highways to make up some time. Still I lost a lot this morning. Last night I was my usual "kids before Christmas thing, as I am with every motorcycle trip, PLUS I have a new iPad! That was enough to guarantee me about four hours sleep. That began playing into the equation about 4pm, as I was coming into Rouen. Lack of sleep, no miles, and the fact I wanted to see the church in which Joan of Arc was tried and convicted put "paid" on today's ride.
I pulled in to gas up, pulled my new iPad out of the TourPak, powered that baby up and about ten minutes later I had found a room about 15 clicks down the highway. Unfortunately, when I arrived, the lady at the front desk had no knowledge of my reservation, making her room status it's equal; no reservation, and no rooms...she was booked up. Okay, so tell me again why I bought this thing???
Turned out it was DAO (that's dumb ass operator for those of you who have never been in the computer service business). So I went next door and rented a room for 20 Euros less. Must've been the iPad, huh?
Anyway, I got to Rouen, and I've got a room (it's 20 Euros cheaper because there's only one power outlet in the entire room! Well wait a minute, "entire" sort of gives the impression this thing has some size to it...let's say roomette, okay? Yeah, roomette, that sort of gets it. But I got a cot, and tomorrow I'll get a hot (once again the ex-military folks will know what that means.
After one of those great "road" showers, and a change of clothes, I head downtown to the Cathedral Notre Dame.
Stumbled onto a parking place (the car exiting almost ran into me) and walked up the street toward the Cathedral.
Man, did these folks know how to make a door.
Quite a door. Then you figure out it's probably not the main one.
To the left another tower.
I think this is the main entrance. As is usually the case, there is some restoration going on. (And that's a good thing!)
You wonder if Joan of Arc walked through that door. Given that she was a hated prisoner I expect they found a back door to sneak her through in the middle of the night.
Dark Ages equivalent of the school picture?
The detail is exquisite.
Adam and Eve not long after they lost their innocence.
(I guess they got it pretty close...but, I think Adam should, at least, have a slight smile.)
Some of the best gargoyles I've seen.
How's that for detail?
There's a nice open air restaurant directly in front of the door I first picture. People were relaxing and having a drink (it was way too early for dinner here).
A nice dinner, and an earlier bedtime are the plans for the remainder of the evening.
