Today we headed south from Hesdin to Abbeville. As I noted yesterday the rivers here from east to west. That meant our route was across the grain of the country.
Beryl wasn’t sure that it was a good way to start the day with an 8% climb away from the River Canche. Nonetheless we achieved our climb to 145 metres.
There followed a day of downs and ups. Our next river was the Authie, another crystal clear stream.
We climbed up onto the plateau again where we revelled in large open skies, grand vistas of the French countryside, and quiet roads.
As we cycled from Wadicourt to Crécy-en-Ponthieu we went over the battlefield between the English and the French in 1346 which altered the course of history for both countries for two centuries. It was clear why the English chose this ridge to make a stand with the French knights having to ride up hill over marshy ground through a hail of arrows.
Crécy was a pleasant village with a war memorial to the fallen of 1346.
We then enjoyed a pleasant onward ride to Abbeville which is on the River Somme.
Abbeville was much damaged in the wars the 20th century. The cathedral though turned out to be a unfinished building project. It did look odd with a fabulous west facade and a much foreshortened nave and no choir or apse.
Most of Abbeville is unexciting 50s and 60s development with too much access for the motor car. We are fortunate though to be staying in one of the few extant 16th century houses.
Julian and Beryl's camino 