DAY TRIP TO ANGERS

Friday, Meghan was still on her two week break from school so we went to Angers to visit friends and do some shopping and site seeing. My good friend Ann-Elisabeth was born in Angers and was there recuperating at her parents' flat. Her two lovely daughters, Auriane and Solene acted as our tour guides for the day as we explored this wonderful historical city. It was a bright and sunny day, so the first stop was to look for Meghan some sunglasses. Aren't the girls looking quite fashionable? Meghan wanted me to let you know this was not the pair she chose, hers are much more stylish.

On to the Cathedral of Angers which has an exceptional collection of stained glass windows dated from the 12th to the 16th century.

Below, this 16th century house of timber is typical of the great bourgeois Gothic of the time. Consisting of five floors and timbered corbelled in diamonds, its poles are decorated with many carved figures representing religious scenes, legends or fantasy creatures. It is known as the Maison d' Adam.
Now it houses craftsmen where you can find arts and crafts by 50 artists. Sure wish we would have had time to see go shopping here.

As we were sitting here for the photo we realized their grandparent's flat (on the ninth floor) was in the background. So we called Ann-Elisabeth and said "Step out on the balcony so we can take your picture!" Their flat is the white building just over Meghan's right shoulder in the picture.

I know the picture is fuzzy but not bad for all across town. Ann-Elisabeth was able to see us too through her binoculars. We all laughed and enjoyed this moment together!At the Chateau D'Angers, a royal fortress, there is evidence of man's presence dating back to the Neolithic period, between 3000 and 4000 BC, and also in the Gaulish and Gallo-Roman periods. The castle houses the tapestry, Apocalypse, depicting the last chapter of the bible. The tapestry dating to the 14th century is 100 metres long and 4.5 metres high with 70 scenes surviving today. It is the oldest surviving tapestry of this size. It was amazing to see!! As you can see in the prior picture, the gardeners are hard at work to keep these grounds in beautiful condition.

This small 15th century fortified gateway, with its picturesque corner turrets adorned with pepper-box turrets, is the entrance porch to the seigniorial residence. A pepperbox turret is a small cylindrical masonry structure with a conical roof used as watchtower.

Meghan takes a rest after walking all day. She is enjoying her new sun glasses purchased during our morning shopping spree. First things first!

Wow, that's a long way down!

A great view of the Maine-et-Loire-River from the top of the Chateau du Roi Rene'. Dave had a meeting in Angers so we picked him up on the way out of town and traveled home with the girls in the back seat watching, The Dukes of Hazzard, in English with French sub titles.

MATHEW 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."