A cathedral and a special garden - Chapter 15

Harry in particular, wasted no time in his quest to view Chartres Cathedral. Together they made their way through narrow medieval streets towards the magnificence of what eventually stood squarely in front of them, its towering presence captivating. 
     They approached the spectacularly imposing edifice, noticing  exquisitely carved figures either side of arched doorways - morning sunlight enhancing the depth of figures and their contours. Light was glancing off the outside walls, flickering through nearby trees as they swayed in the brisk breeze accompanying the morning.
     In the distance, ominous dark grey and deep blue clouds were edged in white and silvery streaks, interspersed with bright sunshine permeating their edges, its warmth still evident even though autumn was making its presence felt intermittently.  The cathedral was framed against the imposing dramatic sky, beckoning visitors to its doors and inner sanctum.  
     They advanced through the main entrance door standing to absorb the sheer beauty confronting them. Any light filtered through stained glass windows emitted a gentle blend of soft colours onto the floor in front of them.  Harry took a deep breath, lifting his chest.
     'Magnificent, don't you think Tony? Did you notice those huge flying buttresses earlier? Quite a feat in building...' He ambled on a few steps before pausing briefly. Without waiting for Tony's opinion, Harry continued enthusiastically, 'also... do you know there is a beautifully preserved pavement labyrinth in here? Constructed in the 13th century, measuring 12.9 meters in diameter, filling the width of the nave, it does.' Harry was certain of various details he already knew about the cathedral, but had never seen. 'The cathedral is probably the finest example in French Gothic architecture - said to be the most beautiful cathedral in all France. Not sure if I agree with that, but...'
     Tony only half listening,  in a world of his own, murmured his approval, then gazed up towards the height of the roof, noticing its structure and was later informed that the present building began after a fire destroyed the previous church in 1194, the existing stained glass dating mostly from the 14th century.
     His head went back as he looked enquiringly at the structure above him, but Harry had wandered on.
     'Hmm...' he said to himself. 'That isn't exactly straight... the column is leaning.' He beckoned to his friend. 'Harry!' he whispered loudly, 'come and see this. Look up there,' he said, pointing, 'it's out of plumb, don't you think?'
     Harry knew the answer already, as he'd been reading about the cause of it. The columns were part of the Lantern Tower and one had suffered a direct hit during the Second World War. The authorities had dealt with it immediately, thus saving the whole structure. In fact almost the complete cathedral had been badly damaged and using the original materials, was rebuilt to its magnificence as it now stands.
     'You'd hardly know how bad the bombing was to look at it,' Harry commented, 'and it's a pity the labyrinth is mostly covered with chairs as it's a rare thing to see. Evidently no one knows exactly when it was constructed, but probably in the earlier part of the 13th century.' Harry loved this sort of thing, relishing the history, architecture and overall ambience of the cathedral, his expression alive with enthusiasm.
     'Yes, but...' Tony began.
     'But what?
     'It's all very interesting, but not exactly exciting,' suggested Tony. 'I do enjoy these places, but...' 
     He didn't get time to finish as Harry jumped on him. 'This is ancient history my good man. Think of the reason why the Labyrinth was constructed for one thing, but haven't we had enough excitement for a while?' He turned to face his friend square on. 'I mean - with you going over the cliff and jumping into rivers to save kids from drowning...'
     'Only a little girl and it was a one off,' replied Tony, not at all put off by the insinuation. 'I couldn't have left her, could I?' 
     Harry pursed his lips looking serious, then thought for a moment, his expression changing. 'Only a one off? I certainly hope so!  Swimming in the river when we were supposed to be enjoying a quiet boat ride. Yeah... alright.  I'm only teasing - honest. In fact, I was utterly astonished at the time and very proud to have you as a friend. Specially when you can't swim,' he added.
     'Thanks old boy, that's nice to know,' replied Tony sheepishly . 'Quite honestly, it shocked me too, but I didn't think first, just reacted. Guess I won't be making a habit of it. It's a wonder I didn't drown. Perhaps it was foolish, but...'
     'No... no it wasn't Tony. It was very brave of you. In fact it's something I'll remember for a very long time. It's sure to go all around the golf club when we get back you know,' laughed Harry.
     'Oh well, perhaps that's not a good idea.' Tony's cheeks were beginning to colour as he ambled below a magnificent rose window, complete with exquisite stained glass. 'But this was!' he remarked, looking up. All that stained glass must have taken a massive effort to complete. Such workmanship!''
     They admired with fascination, the Romanesque glass from the 12th century which thankfully survived the fire of 1194. Tony too, enjoyed what they saw, eventually  working up a good appetite, thinking of a nice lunch.
     Crossing the road, they found tables and chairs set out overlooking the side of the cathedral and settled down to enjoy a glass of wine with their lunch. They glanced heaven-ward noticing thankfully no storm threatened, as was earlier expected.
     After more history, old timbered buildings, medieval streets, the odd Aston Martin car parked in a side street much to their delight,  it was time to leave Chartres.
     Earlier over lunch, it was Tony who suggested they try and visit Monet's house and garden, before the final leg of their vacation, driving towards Caen and the ferry back to England. He remembered the art exhibition in Martigny, Switzerland, where he discovered an unusual appreciation of the Impressionists. Many paintings were viewed as part of a special Renoir exhibition, sprinkled with a few Monet's. Harry was in complete agreement.  
     Their next destination stopover for two nights would be Rouen and as usual, Harry looked forward to the historic part and perhaps the last cathedral of the trip - much to Tony's relief. Cathedrals were all very well, but not one after the other. He tended to forget which was what, getting them confused in his ageing brain.
    
Deciding to do without Miss Madam to get them to Monet's house, Harry needed to study the map carefully. Finding the village of Giverny may not be straight forward, nevertheless knowing he'd get them there, whatever the circumstances.
     Eventually they arrived mid morning, pleased not to find a host of other people there. They began in the garden, later gravitating to the house, which to both of them, looked like a charming large cottage with green shutters in the French style.
     It was possible to stroll around the lake, as indeed the artist must have done many times. His water-lily paintings were famous and to their delight, discovered a few still flowering on the lake's surface. Hidden amongst some plants on the bank was an old rowboat still afloat, barely visible and no doubt the same one in which the artist regularly rowed out onto the lake. The wisteria-covered bridge was still there, freshly painted in the green Claude Monet included in several of his paintings. It spanned one end of the lake, reached after the two friends ambled alongside a flowing stream leading to the lake along the perimeter pathway.
     'This really is a charming house,' remarked Harry, as they stepped through the front door, immediately noticing many paintings and drawings adorning the walls, particularly the main bedroom which was delightful. 'Very much in the cottage style, don't you think Tony? Almost feminine in fact.'
     His friend was closely studying a small painting, the detail and minute brushstrokes breathtaking. 'It is rather. Not exactly my taste, but there is a real sense of homeliness about it. This artist was a genius. Look at that detail,' he said, pointing carefully so as not to touch the frame.
     'I'm pleased you have discovered art and the Impressionist style of Monet,' replied Harry, smiling. 'I once viewed a special exhibition of his in London. Magnificent! So glad I made the effort. Well worth it. Such a prolific artist.'
     As they made their way slowly through the house, Tony turned suddenly in a doorway and as he did so, bumped into a lady. 'Oh, excuse me.' Then stopped dead in his tracks. 'Haven't we met before?' he asked politely, looking perplexed.
     The lady turned back and immediately Tony recognized her as Kathleen - one of the ladies with whom they'd had an enjoyable conversation over supper in Besancon. 'Err...yes, I think so. Yes, quite right,' replied the lady, finally recognizing Tony. 'Here's my friend Maudy too.' She turned to include the other lady they'd met in the restaurant. You may remember her.' 
     'Hello! Ah... I do remember you now,' she laughed. Besancon!'
     Harry caught up with Tony and immediately eyed the two ladies relaxing into a friendly manner. 'Nice to see you both again and here of all places!'
     Kathleen gestured at the wall paintings. 'Simply splendid, don't you think?'
     'They are indeed,' Tony agreed. 'Been here long?'
     'A good hour,' said Maudy. 'It's a place in which we could both easily spend another hour. Fascinating! What a wonderful artist Claude Monet was!'
     Kathleen nodded in agreement. 'Unfortunately we need to drive on to reach Rouen before late afternoon. The parking can be horrendous at the hotels. First in - first served! Awkward without a decent park, I must say.'
     'That's where we are heading next,' Harry grinned. Well fancy that!' We've made a reservation for two nights so as to have a good look around. Loads of interesting history attached to Rouen! Have you been there before?' he asked the ladies.
     Kathleen thought for a moment before answering. 'Yes, but a very long time ago. Guess it hasn't changed a lot since then. We'll soon find out though.'
     'Indeed!' Maudy said. 'The cathedral is every bit as interesting as many in France.'
     Harry heard a low grown emanating from Tony's throat. 'I believe the heart of Richard I of England is buried there and also Henry III, the young king.'
     Maudy raised her eyebrows as she turned to Harry. 'You seem to know quite a lot about history.'
     'Not a lot,' answered Harry. 'But I've started writing a book about Richard III after studying his life and researching past history. You know, the princes in the tower and how he became king - but a lot happened before then I may add.'
     'How interesting!' remarked Kathleen. 'I actually wrote a book myself about his life some time ago, while teaching.' Immediately she noticed a slight look of disdain on Harry's face. 'There will always be controversy about the two princes I'm afraid,' she continued, trying to put Harry at his ease again. 'Pity it's not been possible to prove how and why they died. Some will always blame their uncle Richard for their murder or disappearance, but I don't think that's fair.'
     The conversation may have gone on much longer had it not been for Tony gently intervening. 'It would be great to continue this fascinating part of medieval history, but I'm afraid we must be on our way. We have to find the hotel first and judging by all the narrow one way streets in Rouen, the sooner the better.'
     They said their farewells and agreed to try and meet up again in Rouen for a drink.
     Driving through interesting countryside  half an hour later, Tony suddenly chuckled.
     'What have you been thinking about, huh?' Harry looked over at Tony's face, wondering.
     'I suddenly remembered something that happened about a week ago,' Tony replied, still chuckling.
     'What was that then?' asked Harry, somewhat puzzled.
     'Remember when we stayed in the hotel with a small balcony on the first floor? The one with an outdoor pool below?'
     'I do. Ohhh... that one!' Harry suddenly laughed. 'Hilarious! I had thought to wash out some underwear and hang it out on the balcony rail in the sun, while you decided to sit beside the pool reading.'
     Tony continued the story. 'I looked over to a nearby table, thinking someone had left their bathing costume there. Suddenly after a puff of wind, I appeared to be wearing a new hat - your undergarment in fact - another pair blew off the rail and landed on my head!'
     'Err...yes, unfortunately.' Harry looked sheepish. 'Thank goodness there was no one else about at the time,' he continued, before biting his bottom lip, eyes rolling. 'Good grief! What a thing to happen. It was as well you'd decided to read for once!'
     'For once? Well I like that!' frowned Tony, as he manoevred the black Mercedes around a difficult roundabout. 
     Harry wriggled down into his car seat, burying his face in the map he was holding upside down.  
    
    
      
    
    
  

Miss Madam becomes stroppy - Chapter 14

Another day in Besancon was spent quietly around the hotel, reading, strolling through the park opposite, along the riverbank and later, crossing the bridge to the main part of town for a relaxing lunch. There had been enough excitement the day before and neither man in any mood for a long drive. Hence the extra day was enjoyed doing nothing particularly strenuous, as Tony was feeling the after affects from his heroic rescue of a small girl from the river.
     She had fallen overboard from the pleasure boat carrying many tourist passengers, including Harry and Tony, along the river and through several locks. They thought it would prove a fun outing and Tony in particular received more than he'd bargained for when, with no prior warning, the little girl had climbed onto a seat near him, unfortunately losing her balance over the stern. He immediately was shocked into jumping in after her, thus saving her life in the nick of time. He was far from being an Olympic swimmer - in fact could barely swim at all, making the rescue even more daring and exhausting. Although he appeared to take it in his stride after the event, was nonchalant with his attitude, shrugging it off as if his efforts meant nothing - but had she remained in the water much longer, the little girl would most certainly have drowned.  

     Harry even managed writing another chapter of his book after breakfast, resulting in a sense of utter satisfaction. His love of medieval history inspired the book in the first place, something he has been meaning to do for many years.
     As they strolled over the bridge leading to the many restaurants, shops and churches in the historic town, Harry could see Tony eyeing the raging water, with no doubt many things running through his mind from his ordeal the previous day. He turned to his friend wondering how he was feeling. 'Are you alright Tony - I mean, not only physically, but err...well, you know what I mean.'
     Tony laughed briefly. 'Yes, of course I'm alright, thanks anyway. Just a little weary that's all. Not used to all that strenuous exercise and in the water. Takes a lot out of you at our age...'
     Shadows touched his mind in an instant when he began remembering the series of events recently. The rain was beating down on his head while he kept surfacing, gasping for more air into his heaving lungs and into his eyes as he scrambled in a desperate effort to look for the little girl, terrified she might already have drowned. While his outer thoughts were raging, his inner consciousness needed to remain calm, disguised under a cloak of fear and turmoil. He had thought nothing about jumping in after her, although he was never the best of swimmers. He'd barely entered the sea, let alone a pool or river.
     The buffeting he received from the boat's propeller's didn't help. He'd swum perilously close once or twice disorientated, feeling their movement churning the water, until the captain had cut the engines as soon as he was aware of the drama unfolding in his midst. 

     Feeling distinctly queasy from the motion of the waves and nearby rocking boat, Tony's only thought was to continue kicking his legs furiously, while desperately searching for any sign of the child. His frantic committal to his task paid off when he caught a small glimpse of her pink dress swirling in the murky water. 
     When they returned to the hotel, it was obvious all the excited, animated staff were already aware of his heroic exploits, informing them as they approached the reception desk, that the town's Mayor, M. Jean-Louis Fousseret, wished them to attend a dinner on his behalf, in recognition for what Tony had achieved earlier that day.  How they knew so promptly he never found out. He was honoured by the gesture, but felt it wasn't anything to make such a fuss over and graciously declined the generous offer, preferring rather to freshen up after a well-earned rest in order to gather his thoughts.
     'Are you alright old man?' Harry enquired again the following day at breakfast, thinking Tony was looking a little jaded. It was decided they should continue on today aware his friend needed to keep his wits about him. They were hoping to reach the cathedral town of Chartres, which meant a fair amount of driving.
     'Thanks for asking Harry, but I'm fine - really. Yesterday was a little out of the ordinary you might say, but I'll survive.'
     His friend thought briefly, then said, '...and so has that young girl you rescued. I'll bet her mother will be more careful in future. Let's hope so. It really was something special you performed in that river.' Tony only shrugged it off once again as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. He wasn't one to dwell on such things.
     Harry was experiencing a tightening in his chest, his breathing shallow, knowing it wasn't from any heart condition. The car keys were duly handed to Tony for him to drive the Mercedes the long distance to Chartres, as he realized that was how things needed to be, because of his health scare. It was inevitable Tony wouldn't be happy with him driving until they were safely back in England at least and  because of his hospitalization that was necessary in Lausanne.
     Once again Harry's mind was far from being at rest. Tony's driving was often questionable, sometimes leaving him in a state of fearsome exhaustion. He never seemed to drive the car, but rather aim it in the vicinity of the direction they needed to proceed - most of the time. This often left Harry in a lather of sweaty palms, clinging to the sides of his seat, but there was nothing he could do about it. It wouldn't be long before they were both safely back on the other side of the English Channel and home.
     They set off with Tony studying the traffic while Harry studied the map beside him, the sun resting calmly between scudding white and grey-blue clouds as they endeavoured to leave the town unscathed.
     The map for the moment, was unfathomable, Harry turning it this way and that. He never was good at navigating, preferring rather to drive instead.
     'Think it best if you can pull over soon Tony, while I give Miss Madam her marching orders. He was feeling inadequate and resorting to trust the sat/nav with the day's directions - or at least a good proportion of them.
     'If you're sure,' replied Tony, negotiating slowly semi-clockwise around a roundabout with a very large lorry at his side.
     'Yes, I'm sure. It might get a bit tricky soon. We need to choose the right roads carefully, so as we don't end up in Paris. Let's hope Miss Madam is up to it, eh?'
     'I heard that!' came the reply, somewhat haughtily. 'I'm not inadequate you know!'
     Immediately Harry's face creased in mirth his jaw dropping, eyes lighting up at the tone of voice coming from the dashboard area. He grinned at Tony who was concentrating on the right road to take out of the roundabout.
     'There!' pointed Harry, having to think quickly. 'Take that one.' He had already begun to fiddle with the knobs and dials to set their course before his friend brought the Mercedes to a halt narrowly between two trees, missing them by inches. Harry heaved a sigh of relief they had come thus far without any mishaps.
     'Now then, let's see... what do I need to do first,' he muttered half to himself, studying the small screen in front. 'Right then - ah, that's done it! Now for the...' He went on and on looking at the map while twisting various knobs to set the sat/nav with the correct instructions. 'That's it,' he concluded. 'Done! Okay Tony, we can proceed.'
     'Wouldn't mind a coffee soon and hmm... something to eat,' said Tony hopefully, sounding as if pleading. 'All this concentrating is making me hungry.'
     'What! Already? We only just set out barely an hour ago,' replied his friend, looking considerably impatient, with a frown creasing his ageing forehead. 'Oh alright then, stop when you can see somewhere suitable. We should fill up with more petrol soon, too. But we really must crack on. We, err... you have a longish drive ahead and we don't want to arrive too late.' He heard a sigh from the dashboard and looked with surprise in that direction, wondering if his ears were playing tricks on him.
     Tony edged out onto the road again with many French cars hurtling past at frightening speeds. They soon heard Miss Madam's dedication to the job in hand, which after several mishaps, left both men wondering if indeed she was up to it. 'Proceed for 12 miles, then prepare to bear left.'  Her dictatorial staccato-like voice was not always appreciated, but if she found them a hotel or guided them through difficult stages of their journey, then well and good. It's not unheard of that she has left them in a side street somewhere, announcing they had reached their destination, when it was perfectly obvious she had done nothing of the sort.
     'We shall see,' Harry said.
     'Yes you will,' came the reply, while Harry looked incredulous.
     Tony almost forgot he was driving for a moment and glancing down at the dashboard, frowned deeply. 'Pardon? Did you say something?'
     All went quiet. 'She might be up to something,' he whispered to Harry, who was wondering what was going on up ahead. Two police cars with lights flashing and several other cars and lorries were half blocking the road. 'Oh dear - hope it's not a bad accident or anything.' But that was exactly what had happened and it looked serious. For the past half hour it had been raining heavily, threatening slate-grey clouds sweeping directly towards them. A storm was brewing, the wind driving the rain into their oncoming path, making their vision difficult. A canopy of clouds scattered rain through contrasting dappled light, shaking nearby trees causing leaves to fly in every direction.
     Tony slowed down considerably as an official-looking police officer waved him to one side, then to stop altogether. He promptly did as instructed, groaning at the thought of having to be waylaid for very long.
     His friend sat up straight in his seat. 'I don't like the look of things.'
     Miss Madam choosing the wrong moment, announced, 'proceed for 12 miles, then prepare to bear left.'
     Rolling his eyes, Tony thought this hardly possible. 'Not just yet dear - be patient.'
     'I'm trying to,' she retorted sounding annoyed.

     'Doesn't sound like it,' added Tony muttering as he squinted through the front window, awash with rain for a better look. Several other cars were in front, waiting for the police to clear the road as soon as possible.  

     'We didn't need this,' Harry groaned. 'Oh dear, hope we won't be stuck for too long. The weather isn't helping either.' 

     'Proceed for the next 12 miles, then prepare to bear left,' Miss Madam repeated.' 

     Tony wiped the windscreen with a cloth to clear some condensation. 'Here she goes again. Hmm... pity she only has half a brain, otherwise she'd realize we have stopped.'

     'Half a brain?' By now her tone was changing. 'Half a brain?' she repeated louder, almost screeching her voice rising to a crescendo. Tony's face creased into a deep scowl, then he couldn't help biting his bottom lip, trying not to laugh. 'Yes, only half a brain,' he dared.

     Silence for several moments before Miss Madam mistook Harry's silence for indifference. In fact the formidable Miss Madam had struck a chord in Harry's mind, alerting him this was no ordinary sat/nav. He sighed quietly, but Tony remained unabashed in support of what he believed in and bravely reiterated his recent remark. '...half a brain and the attitude of an army sergeant.' All Miss Madam  did was repeat the same thing.  'Proceed for 12 miles then prepare to bear left...'

     'Oh shut up!' Tony snapped, finally losing his patience. 

     'If you say so,' she retorted, suddenly giving in. Then, as if to have the final word, uttered, 'at the next intersection...'

     'Enough!' Harry grumbled, turning the knob beside him. 'That's the last we'll hear of her for a while.'

     After waiting for what seemed like hours, the road was eventually cleared and they continued towards Chartres. Miss Madam almost restored to what might be considered normal for several miles. Another three hours further and they caught glimpses of the tallest part of Chartres cathedral in the distance. 

     A ragged sky had raged with the wind slowly easing, before it died as quickly as it appeared, making things easier to find and a hotel. The road leading into the center of town was now stippled with torn leaves in summer's wake from the receding storm.
     They approached the medieval town of Chartres, south west of Paris - having a long history, possessing half timbered houses, old bridges and a magnificent cathedral. A long underground car park was found and after parking the car, they made their way up in a lift, across the main street, trundling their bags laboriously along the pavement to the hotel. This seemed an odd approach, but nevertheless there it was, a welcome site, particularly for Harry who was quietly relieved they had arrived.
     He felt the breeze blowing through what little hair he had left, enjoying the anticipation of seeing the cathedral tomorrow and exploring other parts of this medieval town. He opened the main door of the hotel, ushering his friend through first. 'How about a nice cold beer soon?' he asked Tony.
      Without hesitation his friend grinned, giving a slight nod of the head. 'Tres certainement!'

    
    

Through the window

As the evening descended, a meeting came to order in a large room of a school. Various people spoke of this and that in turn, while my attention wandered to a nearby window. It was shaped in a most peculiar way, sort of oblong. Narrow across the top and long down the sides.
     Looking through this window was framed a wondrous site that fair took my breath away momentarily. The sun looked comfortable as it settled almost due west - rosy pink, haloed by a soft yellow, with a tree silhouetted close but not at all in perfect symmetry.
      I needed my camera and something to mount it on, so as I could capture what the eye was seeing and heart feeling. It took a very long time for the scene to change and the more it lingered, the more I felt the need to photograph it in the hope of recording this special scene to remember.
     My gaze kept returning every so often to catch another glimpse of what was unfolding through the window, as the setting sun danced around the room, flickering gently in a warm glow, enhancing the walls with hues of pink and yellow dappled light, before almost turning to a deep mellow red, causing my breathing to lighten with its energy.
     I'd lost all manner of control when it came to concentrating on the meeting, with more beautiful drama continuing outside in the distance. Its magical softness of light lingered, but then slowly faded as the sun was losing its vibrancy, dipping into the far horizon, causing the scene to change to one of deep blue, clouds edged in a tint of silver - before it was gone.
     Thoughts reluctantly returned to the meeting, almost resulting in a sadness that I wasn't able to capture this moment in my camera, small as it was, but did so in my mind.