As our trip to Nimes last week had been hampered by the bull festivities, it was time to get a real look at the place. Nimes is just about half an hour from Calvisson and it involves entering and exiting a lot of roundabouts. We have noticed that French drivers are less than patient with Jim’s careful driving in such circumstances. They, in contrast to us, know where they are going and do not slow down coming off the roundabout. There are no concessions for the idiot sign IRL which makes it clear that we are foreign and do not know where we are going. Today could have been a messy disaster! At the umpteenth roundabout we were to exit at exit 2. Being in the outside lane it might have seemed to a driver exiting at the second exit that we were going to exit at the first. He proceeded to move closer to us as Jim was making his way to exit number 2. It was extremely close, so much so that I drew myself in to be as small as possible and closed my eyes for the usual prayer to Jesus. Then I noticed that the other car had pulled onto the hard shoulder and was beckoning us across. Jim continued on his way. “He’s going to follow us Jim”, I said. “He must be annoyed at the close shave”. Jim concentrated on his driving. At the next red lights a man knocked on my window and said something in French to the effect that our cars had hit one another. Many more prayers to Jesus were uttered by me as Jim continued - I can’t say he was oblivious but he was determined not to be put off route and to follow every command made by Nunu (our new GPS - another story!). I said “He’s bound to follow us Jim,”. “He is following us”, said Jim. “How do you know?”, I said. “He’s behind us!” (Was this a pantomime?) “Jesus!”
Our destination was the car park at Les Arenes and we continued our journey until we reached it, with our French driver in pursuit. As soon as we got into the car park Jim pulled over and our French”friend” pulled in in front. He showed us the blue mark on our car which was evidence of contact with his car and showed us a minuscule mark on his. My French deserted me and le francais was forced to resort to English. Jim apologised profusely if he had done something wrong (and he hadn’t other than being a little more hesitant than French drivers like.). The man took my portable number and suggested ringing us at 7pm. Jim suggested that, as there was little damage to either car, that he would give him some money to cover the cost of a cosmetic job. Jim suggested 20, 30 and the man asked for 5euro. Imagine! He had followed us for about 5 km for 5 euro!! He had petrified me and had me in a state of almost collapse for 5 euro. Jim gave him 20 (paid him off) and they shook on it. I was already shaking! We still cannot believe that the cars had made contact as there was definitely no sensation of impact but the blue paint suggests that we did indeed brush against one another. But in a court of law, who would have been at fault? Anyway, 20 he got and we did not go into Les Arenes because we had already spent the 20 euro entrance fee!
I really thought that the day had been utterly spoiled but, after a reviving cup of coffee, we did our tour of Nimes.
In the square into which we emerged from the car park there was this monument - I have forgotten what it was but I liked the fact that the crown was in the shape of La Maison Carree.
The coat of arms of Nimes is a crocodile chained to a palm tree. It is found all over town, even on bollards and in the bronze studs set in the paving of the old town. To understand the origin of the town’s coat of arms one has to travel to Egypt in 31BC. Octavius defeated Antony and Cleopatra’s fleet in the battle of Actium and ensured Roman control of the Empire. Caesar Augustus was born. A coin was struck in Nimes to celebrate the event. On the reverse side was a crocodile chained to a palm tree surmounted by a laurel wreath, symbolizing the conquest of Egypt. Over the centuries the people of Nimes became attached to these coins and in 1535 they were authorised by King Francois 1 to adopt the palm tree and the crocodile as the town’s coat of arms.
Les Arenes and its matador!
La Place de l’Horloge
We spent quite a while in Les Halles - the covered market - which is very similar to the English Market in Cork. The amount of fish, seafood and cheese was amazing!
An ornate altar in Saint Castor’s Cathedral
That’s what they do in Church in Nimes!
We followed our trip, without any contact with other vehicles, with another look at Sommieres, the medieval town that has the great market.
Jim’s lunch of seiches a la plancha - barbecued cuttlefish.
A house en route as I was taking a little rest.
Panoramic view of the town and beyond.
The castle.
A large house - probably a winery
Contemplating an assault!
The river Vidourle.
The bridge over the Vidourle in Sommieres. Seemingly this bridge was inhabited in Roman times- how? The houses were tall buttressed against the arches of the bridge to allow flood water to pass. The arches were made into workshops, shops or cellars. It seems that Sommieres is often flooded. Not today thankfully - we had had enough trauma!
There is a Passerelle - a bridge for pedestrians and we walked along to view the wildlife
Mammy duck and her 8 ducklings
A muskrat - we saw one in Canada too.
We then went to the wine coop in Calvisson and found out a little, not a lot, about the wine in Calvisson. And then home and to the library to catch up with emails and texts.
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