![]() |
A memorial in the cathedral at Noyon was among the first that caught our attention |
![]() |
We stopped at one of the many British cemeteries along our route; not a large one, really |
![]() |
Perhaps a third of the markers bore this inscription... |
"The Road Goes Ever On" recounts the travels of Mark and Vicki Sherouse since their retirement in 2008...in Asia and the Pacific, many years of motor-home travel in Europe and Asia Minor, 3 long term stays in New Zealand, an apartment in Paris, two months in South America, more than a month in southern Africa, and an assortment of travels in the US. Their website, with much practical information, is at www.TheRoadGoesEverOn.com. Reach them at mark.sherouse@gmail.com or vsherouse@gmail.com.
![]() |
A memorial in the cathedral at Noyon was among the first that caught our attention |
![]() |
We stopped at one of the many British cemeteries along our route; not a large one, really |
![]() |
Perhaps a third of the markers bore this inscription... |
![]() |
Absolutely the only thing we found that might conceivably qualify as Art Deco is this pretty nice specimen: now a gun shop (which is pretty rare in France) |
![]() |
But we did see some other interesting sights, including this, the city hall |
![]() |
And this--I swear I am not making this up-- a bread vending machine; we actually bought six croissants and pains chocolats...2 euros |
![]() |
And then this, Albert's Basilica, Notre Dame de Brebieres; note the giant golden Virgin and Child at the top |
![]() |
There's always room for another church, even if it's a neo-Byzantine |
![]() |
Complete with mosaics all over |
![]() |
Sure, Mark, I'd love to see more of your Amiens Cathedral pix... |
![]() |
Me, In Majesty |
![]() |
So we noticed early on that quite a lot of this cathedral's visual program concerned cutting peoples' heads off |
![]() |
Thus |
![]() |
And thus |
![]() |
And thus |
![]() |
And then we remembered that Amiens' Cathedral's great relic (as if being the greatest building of its age weren't enough) was the head of John the Baptist |
![]() |
From the virtues/vices panel: never disagree with your bishop |
![]() |
One of the saints, after several escape attempts, has been restrained |
![]() |
It rained almost the whole day we were in Amiens: this is my failed attempt to capture a gargoyle actually doing what it is supposed to do |
![]() |
One of the disadvantages of being such a big cathedral: a resident flock of pigeons |
![]() |
Assorted saints, apostles, whatever, atop, but in the quadrifoils below, the activities of the months (think Zodiac) |
![]() |
Last Judgment; so-so, but nice Jaws of Hell on the right |
![]() |
Wise Virgins (the vertical panel), their lamps held upwards; a healthy tree at the bottom |
![]() |
Foolish Virgins, empty lamps, dead tree |
![]() |
More saints, et al.; more quadrifoils, this time representing vices and virtues |
![]() |
Closer up on the condemned |
![]() |
A Mary sequence in pairs: Annunciation, Visitation, Presentation |
![]() |
Top quadrifoil: things fall apart |
![]() |
Above Mary and Baby J, the Ark of the Covenant, and to its right, Moses (with horns; this was a translation issue, like virgin) |
![]() |
Rats in Jerusalem (things really falling apart) |
![]() |
Things really, really, falling apart |
![]() |
On a more cheerful note, warming before a fire in the winter months |
![]() |
Not all the sculpture is outside; here is one of two bronze 13th century sarcaphogi |
![]() |
Outside, south side of the apse, a forest of flying buttresses |
![]() |
Northside |
![]() |
A line of gargoyles |
![]() |
View from the Somme |
![]() |
The Sommes in Amiens
|
![]() |
View of the great cathedral from the south side, along one of Amiens' fashionable streets (we took a lunch break); note interesting playground |
![]() |
Back at the cathedral later, we ran into a group of young school-children en field trip; decked in their little striped vests, each one wearing a big name-tag, with picture, contact information... |
![]() |
Nothing quite like the enthusiasm of children |
![]() |
West facade; we'll return to look at the portal sculptures later |
![]() |
Amiens has a maze, like Chartres; here Vicki has again found its center |
![]() |
Nave view; Amiens' immensity really is awe-inspiring... |
![]() |
Elevation...aisles, blind triforia, huge clerestory windows; four-part vaulting |
![]() |
Crossing, way, way up there |
![]() |
From the crossing looking back west |
![]() |
In one of the aisles, incredible height |
![]() |
Apse-ward |
![]() |
Amiens has glass, but apparently not of the age nor quality of Chartres; looks pretty good to me... |
![]() |
Even with the rose windows, it is the tracery you find yourself impressed by, not so much the glass |
![]() |
The famous ribbon of leaves that runs the length of the cathedral between the aisle and triforium |