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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:43:33 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:44:37 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:45:25 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:46:19 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:47:24 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:48:24 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:49:21 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:50:37 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:51:35 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:52:32 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:53:38 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:54:42 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 11:55:44 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 12:11:34 GMT
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 12:12:51 GMT
I was finally on the outskirts of Nangis and while I didn't have time to visit today I did visit another time so why not tell what I know about it and show you some photos? During the 1st century the Romans established a presence in the area and the town was near a major roadway the Romans had established to pursue their conquest of Gaul. There are a few villages in the region where traces of Roman occupation are still in existence and archaeological digs in the area often uncover evidence of Roman occupation. The village first enters written history in medieval times when a castle was built on top of a motte (dirt mound), typical of castle construction during this era. The castle was built to serve as protection and lodging for those on the route from Paris to the grand fairs of the Brie and Champagne regions. As later Lords occupied the castle it also served to protect the local inhabitants. Over time it was also enlarged by successive owners. Pretty much the only events of historical importance in town involve the castle, such as when Joan of Arc visited it during her campaign to assist Charles VII in 1429 and when Louis XIV paid a visit to the castle in 1678. Two thirds of the original castle were demolished in 1795 after having been sold to a Paris notary. In 1814 the town and its environs were the scene of battle between Napoléon and foreign troops who had invaded the country to dislodge him. One large battle occurred on the plains between Nangis and nearby Mormant. A troop of Bavarians occuppied the town and after dislodging them Naploléon spent a night in the castle and his toops camped on its grounds. There are still some vestiges of its medieval heritage, such as the moat and part of their ramparts as well as a few of the castle's towers and portions of the walls. There are also a few ancient dwellings scattered about town as well as a 13th century church adjacent to the town hall/former castle. It is one of the larger towns within a 20km or so radius and has the most to offer in terms of commercial services and serves many of the nearby smaller towns and villages. Let's have a look around town. So there's Nangis for you. Now, back to today. It was 7:55 when I arrived at the train station, still 20 minutes before my train. I went to the ticket machine in front of the station to buy my ticket and everything went smoothly until it told me it wouldn't accept my credit card. This was not right since my card matched the cards the machine said it accepted. These machines don't take bills but they sometimes do take coins so now I had to go rush to find a place to buy a drink or snack so I could break a bill, since I didn't have the required 7.80 euros in change. I managed to find a small supermarket in town that was still open so I grabbed a bottle of beer and headed for the check-out line. Doesn't it always happen when you're in a rush at check-out there is always someone in front of you with a huge amount of stuff they are buying? And the stuff gets rung up slowly. And then they forget something and go to the very back of the supermarket to search for it while you wait. And then they decide to pay by check. And then the cashier has some sort of problem with their check and they stand idly discussing the situation while you are standing there with you lone purchase, which would really just take a second to buy, and you are watching the clock as it seems to count minutes faster than usual and you are afraid you will miss your train, which is the last train back to Paris? Do you know that feeling? Well, that's exactly what I was feeling. Once the clusterf*#k at the register cleared up I slapped my 10 euro bill for my 95 centime beer onto the conveyor belt and popped off the top of the beer, simultaneously asking if I could have change for the train ticket machine. It was in my mouth and being guzzled before I even hit the exit. Back at the train station I had 5 minutes left so I grabbed my change and dropped it in the slot. Everything was going smoothly.....until the machine spit my change back out and the screen read ''Due to a technical problem this machine can not print tickets''. Now ain't that sweet? No way I was missing the last train so I figured I'd just explain the story if anyone came to check my ticket, which they didn't. Back at Gare de l'Est I had one last hurdle to clear. There are turnstiles as you exit the platform and you are supposed to use a ticket to exit. However, I have in the past noticed a gate to the side that is unattended and leads out to the main hall. I am a believer in not taking advantage of the train system and never jump a turnstile or try to cheat the system in any way but the system had let me down today and I was in no mood for fairness. I looked around for any train officials and seeing none off through the secret gate I went. Free at last. And so are you, so goodbye.
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Post by auntieannie on Jun 15, 2011 12:38:30 GMT
nice ride! whenever you post about your bike ride, it almost feels as if I were riding with you. so thank you!
so I gather there were no chaume roofs in Chaumes? hah! now I'll have to read about it!
this Chateau du Monceau does remind me of something. I'll have to read about it as well!
good thing that I am on hols. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2011 17:38:50 GMT
Another outstanding report with all of those great little empty villages. I found myself once again comparing the richer, slightly touristy towns that have buried all of their electrical wiring, to the smaller ones with their black strands of spaghetti hanging all over the place. There were also a few towns with most of the wires hidden but a few newer ones strung around, obviously waiting for the next update of the urban plan.... maybe in another 10 years.
The big skies of the scattered cumulo nimbus with big patches of blue are one of things that I have always associated with the backroads of vast French agricultural fields. It's just a shame that it's a bit too late for the scattered poppies that should be lining the asphalt.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2011 19:15:11 GMT
Yay! Another great report from FMT. Just love it. You transport me to another place, I've said it before, but again, it really is like being there. You write so, so well, FMT, modest and funny and entertaining, educational and full of your own little insights, (your conversation with the village idiot bit made me laugh) ;D. It's easy to envy you for your free riding ways and spirit, not to mention the beautiful towns surrounding where you live. Just idyllic. Thank you for sharing this with us. I have really enjoyed it. Um...so when can I come over and go on one these little trips with you?
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Post by tod2 on Jun 15, 2011 20:16:51 GMT
Most enjoyable riding with you FMT! What a great job - and Deyana's right, we should all be able to come along for the ride on a video. Imagine people running on their treadmills or riding stationary bikes in the gym. What option have they got now - only to listion to music on their iPods and stare out the window probaly at the traffic outside. How fantastic it would be if we could look at a screen in front of us and be right on the road with you!
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 15, 2011 23:23:13 GMT
Thanks again everyone for coming along for the ride. Sorry I haven't been around much lately but my mind has been on the business and my focus is elsewhere right now.
annie - Yeah, no chaume roofs in that town. You'd think with all the wheat and stuff that grows around there that the roofs would be covered in the stuff but no such luck. Enjoys the hols, as they say in the UK.
kerouac - You are an astute observer of electrical systems. I think one of these towns must have a job for you as town planner. When one is in such a flat landscape the sky takes on a whole new dimension. I know the landscape looks rather monotonous but it's interesting how the shades and tones of the crops change with the shifting light. I couldn't help but feel really bad for a lot of these farmers with the drought we've had. It's obvious things have bloomed early and some of the crops look underdeveloped. I noticed the lack of flowers that should have been there (I think).
deyana - I am feeling really bad for not having read your outstanding report. I promise I'm going to get to it this week. Thanks for commenting on my writing style but really I'm just a goofball and there's not a lot of depth in what I say whereas I really think that what you put down in your report is worthy of some sort of acclaim. I envy you and the others here who write so well. And I will definitely be posting this report on Sunny DS tomorrow. You are welcome to come here anytime and I'd be most happy to take you on a ride with me.
tod - I've never gotten people on treadmills and stationary bikes. Maybe they're working their bodies but they've forgotten about working their minds at the same time. Perhaps I should make videos and sell them to gyms. You might have just given me an idea. If I get rich off this I owe it all to you!
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Post by mich64 on Jun 16, 2011 0:04:47 GMT
Ahhhhh, that was so very enjoyable. I agree with everyone's comments! I think you may have been given a great idea for a workout video. I would ride a stationary bike in my house in winter time to you showing me around France as you do. Delightful commentary and brillant photos FMT. I love the light or robin egg blue paint on the shutters on a few of the homes. Cheers, Mich
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Post by fumobici on Jun 16, 2011 1:10:12 GMT
Yet another wonderful tour through the little towns of France. I'm having genuine difficulty thinking of a way I'd prefer to spend a day than more or less aimlessly biking around the French countryside like this. thanks for bottling up a little of the magic and sending it out through the tubes for our enjoyment. I'll be going off on a bike ride of my own now but it won't be half as picturesque.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 16, 2011 7:07:59 GMT
FMT - I had the idea for quite some time but if you can perfect something that is saleable, I wish you all the luck in the world. Getting a project like that started will need a person to register a Trade Mark or something to protect your idea - that is a very expensive thing to begin with. I thought of the travel companies who take tourists on guided walks like the one I did through the Loire some years back. The forest walks were splendid. One thing you must not do is have a shaky recording......someone could get sea-sick!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 7:22:22 GMT
Actually, once Google street view becomes a bit more fluid, it should be possible to cycle just about anywhere in the world on an exercise cycle from the comfort of your own home if somebody comes up with the proper interface. The airlines will go out of business.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 11:00:59 GMT
Thanks, FMT. Look forward to it. And seeing your handsome face.
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 16, 2011 12:28:46 GMT
mich - I've been trading e-mails with so many people I forgot when you are coming to France. Was it September? I'm sure we'll meet up and biking is always an option.
fumo - As I just mentioned to mich, you know I'm waiting for AnyPort members to come over here and do some biking with me. The only stipulation is that you have to buy FMT lunch!
tod - I'm really just having a little pipe dream. I'm sure people who sell those exercise cycles are already working on this concept. And as kerouac pointed out, once google street view has more coverage no one will ever leave their house.
kerouac - I imagine people will be wearing some sort of 3-D goggles and hook-up to street view.
deyana - I'll be waiting for you.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 16, 2011 15:58:21 GMT
Our trip is coming up soon! Yeah, we will be there in September. Would be brilliant to meet you FMT. We should check our schedules to see if possible. I think Janet/Hawii is supposed to be visiting the same time, would be nice for a few of us to get together for a drink or meal if it is convenient for any of us! Cheers, Mich
Your photos have made me anxious to arrive!
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Post by frenchmystiquetour on Jun 16, 2011 16:11:06 GMT
Yes, Janet will be here in September. I think arriving around the 16th. I'm sure we can arrange a little get together.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 16, 2011 16:17:58 GMT
We arrive on the 16th as well, hope we can, keep me notified. Cheers, Mich
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2011 17:51:22 GMT
Where's Kerouac?
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