At last the tasks were done and we are now into new territory. We headed towards Cambrai, the town from which "Cambric" takes its namIMG 8962The Rubense. This is still the territory of Belfries and Giants, in this case Martin and Martine who stand tall outside the beautiful Town Hall clock and help to strike the hours. Legend has it that they were also responsible for saving the town from invasion in the 16th Century.

IMG 8976Martin and Martine

Like so much of this area, Cambrai was very badly damaged in World War 1 but much has been restored. Some buildings were spared, including St Gery church built on the remains of a Roman church building.There we found a beautiful Rubens, the Entombment of Christ. 

 

On the 20th of November 1917, British troops attacked the Hindenburg Line. 381 tanks were involved. In this terrible battle, 44,207 British and 50,000 Germans were killed or badly wounded.

 

Best Regards,

Penny and Dave

 IMG 8999In the Gardens of the Caves

 IMG 8978The Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) with Martin and Martine

IMG 9006One of the old city gates

 IMG 8992The Public Gardens

IMG 8986The Public Gardens

IMG 8987The Public Flower Gardens

IMG 8989Walks through the Public Gardens