Exploring the unlikely intersections of walking, photography and making
The Via Francigena may have originated as a religious pilgrimage dating back to the 900s (if not earlier). But here, today, as Gail and I walk through the rolling farmland of northern France, we are reminded over and over again that the line we follow is as much informed by the Great War as it... Continue Reading →
Art Deco Carrière Wellington
Saturday Market Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Vaast
As I write this, back in Winnipeg, I am aware that tomorrow is November 11, Remembrance Day. Tomorrow, Gail and I will attend, as we do every year, the Valour Road Memorial Day Service, a short walk away from our Wolseley home. Valour Road, formerly Pine Street, commemorates three recipients of the Victoria Cross for... Continue Reading →
Frévin-Capelle/La Grenouillère/Anna; Abbaye de Mont-Saint-Éloi; Église catholique; Saint-Martin d’Écoivres; Le Marais de Mareoeuil; Arras Poor Mont-Saint-Éloi. Its abbey was established as far back as the 7th century. Over the next many hundreds of years, it rose to prominence as a major religious centre. That power sealed its fate in the late 1700’s with the French... Continue Reading →
It’s November, 2019. Gail and I have been back in Winnipeg for six weeks. I’ve been occupied with a book project, just now completed. So it’s time to get back to our Via Francigena pilgrimage, starting where you last saw us. Back to September 29 as we leave the coal mining town of Bruay le... Continue Reading →
I am jumping forward in time with this post from Day 17 of our Via Francigena pilgrimage. This is the last day of our walk, at least for this season. With our arrival at the small and somewhat industrial town of Tergnier, we will move on by train to Laon, then Reims for an overnight... Continue Reading →
LaBanque Cultural Centre
Amettes Ferfay Marbles les Mines Bruay le Buissiere La Piscine Art Déco Cité des Électriciens
Thérouanne L’Estrée-Blanche miners' housing Amettes Saint Benedict Joseph Labre birthplace La Ferme des 2 tilleuls