Two weeks

We've been in France for two weeks as of today and they made it a national holiday. The place is much quieter than usual with most non-food businesses closed. There still seem to be plenty of places to celebrate our first fortnight with food and beverage, however. We are laying low for the most part because this is the last day of rather nasty heat; it's supposed to begin cooling off tomorrow. Bailey and I did our morning hike around the Citadel, 8.7km today, and then Clay and I went to look at a potential apartment. We stopped for a beer on the way back but have been inside for the rest of the afternoon waiting for the sun and temperature to go down. It only got to 29 degrees Celsius today, which is only about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. That's actually not so bad compared to Virginia, particularly without the humidity, but in a city without air conditioning it's rather warm, so we have been being more active in the mornings and evenings.

Yesterday evening we took in a concert at a local venue featuring a violinist and pianist. It was excellent, but a bit warm. I'm not sure what we'll do this evening, but if nothing else presents itself Bailey and I can always do another walk. 

Later that evening:

Bailey and I did go for another walk in the evening, along with the rest of the city it seemed. I don't think I'd ever seen so many people in the park, everyone just out enjoying the holiday and the beautiful evening. 

Pictures ok the Grand Place, Wednesday evening.

This is a small concert hall just down the street where we heard a violinist and pianist Thursday evening.

Bailey at the dog park Friday morning.

A canal boat coming into the lock on the Deule Canal.

Gates of the lock closing.

Rue Royale on Friday evening, all the cafes full.