Around noontime we decided to go out one last time to our favorite playground around the cathedral with a picnic. Once we got to the center of town we were surprised to see a "Sunday Market" set up all along the main pedestrian mall. This one was much larger than the usual Saturday Market. Once we got near the cathedral Nic took the kids to the playground while I walked the rest of the market. I came back with a 5 euro pair of "man capris" that can zip off into shorts. Despite my use of French the man selling the capris immediately asked where I was from and wished me a happy journey. Nic seemed to enjoy the capris so that was good. The playground was a little hot as it was in the sun so the kids played some chase instead. After a while, we went over to the front of the cathedral to get an ice cream for the kids and to ask where the restaurant that we were going to tonight was.
So we got a couple of frozen novelties at the cathedral cafe and the adults got some espresso. We enjoyed it while looking up at the cathedral. After snack time, we walked into the cathedral one last time as the labyrinth on the floor was not covered by chairs. The kids had fun running around on it and then we headed for home. We didn't get to far before we came across the other playground we frequent and so we stopped for a little playing. Nic actually went into the market in search of his soccer jersey but he came back empty handed. So we moved on and by this time the market area was packed with people. I wanted to walk by a stand that was selling earrings so Nic took the kids home while I pushed my way through the crowds. I found my 4 euro earrings and then I came home.
We had a few hours before dinner and so we packed a bit more. The kids watched a movie. We left around 7:OOPM to do to dinner at this place that was near the zoo. It was also close to something called "the Fun Fair". This is a travelling fair that stays in Amiens for 1 month with rides, and games, and restaurants (as we discovered). We went to dinner at L'Ours Noir (the black bear) which was right in the middle of the fun fair - that is it was part of the fun fair. We amazingly found it and met up with a colleague of Fabien's and his girlfriend/wife. We waited almost half an hour and no Fabien so we decided to take a seat and get started. The specialty was the "porchelet" which was some kind of tiny roasted pig. Everyone had it, and we got a hot dog for Gwyneth and some goat cheese for Ethan. Fabien showed up shortly after ordering - he had a flat tire on the highway and thus he was delayed. Nic and I had an "apertif" of some sort but now I can't remember what it was - it was good. It was a bit warm as we we eating outside and people didn't seem to be in the mood for milling around so we left to explore the fun fair a bit.
First stop was the Kentucky Derby game where you roll balls up an incline to get them into a hole. Each time you do your horse advances. Fabien really likes the game and claims to make the children cry because he wins often. On this night however, Nic would be the victor in a dramatic come from behind win. He came home with a goofy little stuffed animal that the kids can fight over now. Next stop was a fun little ride for the kids, see the video:
The ride was sophisticated enough that it took the kids picture which you could then buy. The one of Gwyneth and Ethan came out really cute and so we couldn't help but by it for another 5 euro. After the car ride, we tried bumper cars and we had ended up with a few more rides than we intended. We thought that adults could go on them but they couldn't so Ethan and Gwyneth had to use up 6 rides. It was especially amusing with Ethan who basically drove it in circles (when he could get it moving forward) and we all had a good laugh.
After than Fabien had to go and he had offered us a ride, so we left as well. (It was around 10PM now anyway). He dropped us at home and Ethan got sad as apparently he likes Fabien. During dinner he had been playing some game with Fabien which involved Ethan running up the aisle between the tables and Fabien putting his hands up like claws. Anyway, Ethan shed a few tears but he seemed to recover okay. The kids went to bed and here Nic and I are at 2AM in the morning finishing up on 5 days worth of blogs. Now it is done - yeah! Tomorrow is our last full day and I'm sure we'll have many other things to do to get ready for our 2 day trek home.
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