Bike tour with Ally

​Ally arrived in Paris yesterday. DJ and I bolled down to La Gare du Nord last night after a gorgeous dinner at Andy and Graz’s Favourite Restaurant. It was belicious and much enjoyed. 

Ally’s train steamed into Paris ahead of time and soon the Huge Hugs began earnest. I am confident that I won the Huge Hug contest (not shown here). 

Home to our joint near Rue Moufetard where the noise wasn’t as noisy as it has been. No time for dalliances, we were up and about in time to join the Paris bike tour this very morning. It was great. The guide was an American, but can be forgiven because he was very knowledgeable about French history and culture. Here are some highlights (in no particular order):

1.  The Roman circus

This is a little marvel, tucked away in a little garden I know not where (we’ll be able to see it on the Strava map).  

2.  The Jewish Quarter 

In this particular part of the Jewish quarter is a list of families who helped Jews escape the holocaust. There is a series of epitaphs with names of families who helped spirit Jews to safety. Apparently it is expanding as more information comes to hand. There are also reproductions of letters sent by Jews home to family members. 

3.  Noel, the guide 

Australians would pronounce his name ‘Nole’, but he was introduced to us as ‘Noelle’. His name was Noel. He was great, as has been our experience of guides everywhere.  He was engaging and interesting. We highly recommend this cycling tour experience. 

Noel, to the left. 

4.  We actually cycled past our B&B on the tour and stopped in Noel’s favourite square, just up the road from our joint. It’s called ‘Place de la Contrescarpe’. It was here that, at one time, the most unimaginable torture was inflicted upon miscreants. This involved tying their arms/legs and raising these arms/legs via a pulley to the top of a stake and then dropping them to just above ground level and suddenly pulling tight on the rope. One can only imaging the pain and agony inflicted as the arms/legs are torn asunder. [Now why didn’t I think of that …?]. No photos here as it all happened long ago. 

Back to the bike place then and off to lunch with Ally at her fave eating place. 

Toodles!