Essex Area
French Trip 9th/13th September 2004
Coucy le Chateau
On the 9th September our 7 cars met at the Franglais wine warehouse, stocked up with wine and travelled the 150 miles south to Coucy le Chateau to explore the Aisne and Oise area. Visits were planned for Compiegne, Pierrefonds and Laon, but it was the fortified town of Coucy le Chateau, where we stayed that we probably enjoyed most. Here a some photographs of our visit. There are further photographs on George's web site, page 98.
Those on the trip were: George & Shelagh Newell, Jim & Gill Ballantyne, Dave Turner, Terry & Larraine Hockley-Moore, Peter & Margaret Sheldon, Les & Pearl Pratt and Roy & Jennifer Biddle
|
|
The Belle Vue our hotel in Coucy |
Part of the ramparts of Coucy |
Secluded and secure parking --- |
---in the courtyard behind the hotel |
Another view of Coucy's ramparts |
The "Laon" gate where we entered Coucy |
Jim knows his place |
Drinks on arrival in the shade of the trees |
The Armistice Clearing near Compiegne |
The Compiegne National Stud |
Gill gets friendly with a big fella |
The stallion poses with Gill & Larraine |
We can't get Gill & Larraine to leave we're all outside |
The evening meal table at the hotel, the unattended bowl of soup is mine! |
Same table, same night, other end - stripes are in |
Yes but what's a chip worth to you? |
Liquers sur le terrase 10pm in mid September |
Panthers below the massive Pierrefonds Chateau |
Pearl's "Del Boy" Iced (Peach) Tea |
The abbey of St. Nicholas aux Bois in the forest of St Gobain |
Thought I ought to include a Panther in the picture |
It's alright the mayor let us park here (cough cough) |
Laon - more grub in the sunshine |
We drove our convoy of Panthers ------ |
------ through these crowded streets |
Viewpoint and photo opportunity on the Chemin des Dames |
more drinks on the terrace |
what are they watching? |
this - Circus horses in ring set up in the square |
Big cat with a familiar name |
Exotic lady in chamois leather has unusual pet. Her act was one of many "laid on" by the town free of charge over the 11th/12th September. |
Jim wanted to leather his car off with her and I never knew so many of the men had cameras |