The last day of any of our trips has its own routine. As we head towards our final night at Sangatte, and tomorrow morning’s early crossing, we start to switch our minds from the here and now. Start to think about home-living again. The chores that are there waiting for us. But more than anything at this time of the year, Mrs S is dreaming of a warm bathroom.
Today is different. We plan to make two more excursions. Cram the cookie pot full to its brim. Set an earlier than usual alarm clock. We needn’t have bothered. This chirpy cockerel got there first at 6.07am.
We head back into town. Park in the same place. 2K later we’re standing in front of this beauty. It’s going to be a day of photos.
Inside, the architecture is as stunning as the paintings and sculptures it displays.
One hundred and fifty minutes later, we’re heading across and out of town to Roubaix. A small city of 99,000. 13K north-east. There’s a swimming pool there we want to visit.
We’re using in-phone MAPS as our guide. Not always a sensible choice. At this point Mrs S is just shy of a meltdown. We’re suddenly running out of roads big enough for Beastie. Lille is a mass of street furniture and narrow rat-runs.
Built in 1932, the swimming pool on the Rue des Champs closed in 1985.
By 2001, it had been transformed into a wonderful Art-Deco museum.
One of our many favourites is this ginormous painting by Marcel Jambon and Alexandre Bailly, completed in 1911, three years after Jambon’s death.
Another trip comes to a close. To you faithful followers – thanks for traveling with us and for giving me an added reason to write.
à bientôt
What a great last day.
2 fabulous buildings, but completely different, housing exceptional exhibits.
I particularly like the art Deco building and its modern and classic designs.
With time to spare we just had to cram some more in Paul. The art deco was super impressive and such a great idea to utilise a defunct swimming pool