Shared Illusions

We arrived in Montpellier on Sunday,  wandered the streets for a few hours until our apartment was available for check in.   That is also what we did after we checked in,  and for the next three days,  except for Tuesday.

This monument was at the entrance of Place Royale de Peyroy.  I can’t find a reference for its context except a story that an Angel was riding a deer when the lion ate the deer and became the angels means of transport.   I have no idea where that story arose.

The Battle of Clostercamp was a defeat for the English in the Seven Year War, and although heroes were made that day,  I can not find any explanation of the role of unicorns in the victory by French.  I think perhaps this was a creative act of vandalism.

Tuesday was a clear day, and we decided it was the best last chance for Paula to swim in the Mediterranean on this trip.   A short train ride,  short bus ride,  and long walk got us to a nice beach.   I am not a beach person so I decided to take a walk.   I had a professor in graduate school who said she didn’t “do” beach.   I like that way of phrasing it.

While Paula was enjoying the beach near Sète, I was “enjoying” a steep climb to the Chapel Notre Dame dle Salette, which was built in the 19th century for fishermen to worship prior to going out to sea. The hyperlink above provides some interesting information on this site.

Wednesday was laundry day,  and since it was raining, we stayed home for the morning.   In the afternoon we went to the botanical garden.   The garden was started by King Henri IV in the sixteenth century and is the oldest botanical garden in France.

The Place de la Comedie is the place to go for drinks,  sweets, meals, and people watching.  The opera is in the background.

We are currently on a train headed towards Geneva, where we will spend a few nights visiting Paula’s friend.   We are entering the Alpes west of Grenoble

Here is a photo or two from the train.

It’s time to stop writing and to start watching the scenery. Until later…..