Churches, churches, churches

 We've broken out into massive plains. Now that most of the crops have been harvested you can see for miles and miles.

We can see a long way (and there's clouds all the way!)

Oh deer.

We got caught up in some major cycle race. We were flagged over but didn't understand what was going on so when we moved on we ended on a narrow road with a number of cyclists heading our way. We pulled over again but a chap had to wave a flag and blow a whistle so noone crashed into us.

This is the second pack (peloton?) 

A tailender (though not the last) amongst the support vehicles. Once they lose the pack they're in trouble.

Onward to Chartres. We could see the cathedral raising above the plains several ks out.

The old town gate

Detail above the door of St Aignan's. More ornate than the main door (though missing a few bits) as it was built later and used more often.

Very colourful inside, though painted as late as 1869.

A very ornate wooden vault, though the original plans called for stone and the columns can be seen ready for these. Outside there are bases of buttress without their flying arches, also waiting for the stone arches which never came due to lack of money.

We walked past a gourmet meal in the covered market. Don't know what it was in aid of but there was a buzz of conversation and people looked happy enough

And then the cathedral. Dedicated to our mother, or rather Our Mother because they had her silk veil as a relic.

South facade

North facade

West facade

The height of Gothic architecture

Lovely carvings. They're being cleaned up - note the ones on extreme left are so much whiter.

The carvings are very well done. They're animated and full of detail, as are the decorations all around them. Very skilled stoneworkers.

There's some nice glasswork as well. This is the 13th C blue virgin window.

Holy grail?

More of the screen (rood?)

South facade again. This was the rulers' portico, while the north facade had all the ecclesiastical statues.

The flying buttresses of St Pierre which we got to admire while getting drenched in a squall

Abbey of St Brice where we were parked up

Continuing homeward we meandered up the Eure valley to Nogent-le-Roi which looks like it might be a worth exploring tomorrow. Meanwhile it's cold and wet still. I am in long sleeves, long trousers and (gasp) shoes. That's right, my jandals have had to be shelved.