Friday, July 25, 2008

From Paris to Combreux

Arrive Paris July 24, 7:35am ... Drive from CDG airport to the small village of Combreux, approx 50km east and north of Orleans.















Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Back in Billerica and Lowell

Arrive Boston, head out to Billerica and Lowell.

Water power at Mill

Friday, July 11, 2008

Short Video - Three of Three

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Short Video - Two of Three

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Short Video - One of Three

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Water Power - Cotton - Tea -Trade

"Back in the Day" In and around Lowell and Billerica, rivers and canals provided; transportation corridors and power for most of the "Mill" industries.
On Tuesday evening, a picture perfect day, we visited the Boott Mill museum.
The Boott Cotton Mill museum in Lowell.........boott
is a great example of preserved heritage of a mid 1800's cotton mill. With 1920's vintage looms in operation. powered by the waters of the Merrimack. In the museum there are many  references and examples of the intermingled Tea and Cotton trade. We lucked out and got in just before closing, managed a one one with the folks running the machines and got some samples off the working looms.bm9

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One of the main beams (Scarf Joint)
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Some tea stuff from the China trade days
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In Billerica, the Concord river via the Middlesex Canal provided access and power to the Faukner Mills circa 1850's (this picture from the Canal Association)anchor-museum
I just got down to the mill pond as light was fading (and my camera battery)
Main building
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Water flows over the weir to power the mill operations.fm1

Boston and points north

About 1+ hour drive north of Boston, the towns of Lowell and Billerica.
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Driving along the banks of the Merrimack river as it winds its way through Lowell  is a nice way to spend the twilight hours. From picturesque to industrial reclamation, and most of everything in between.ml1

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I found a Chinese restaurant in Lowell, no big deal, BUT it was a Hunan Restaurant. Good food, a nice family run business .. in a Not so nice neighborhood. I was advised NOT to be around when its dark. Point taken.

Combreux Village

1 Church, 1 Inn, 2 Restaurants, 1 Château, 1 village hall and a handful of homes.

Aerial view: main road running N-S. Château complete with moat. Church and Hotel on the south side of the canal. map Pictures from around the village: View looking over the wall next to the road6 Back of the Château facing the canal. 7 Locals tell stories that this entry door facilitated many a tryst! !!22 There is a great pathway that runs along the south bank of the canal17 To the East:..................15 and the West, view from the road bridge:...........16 As you head south out of the village looking north8 Last home as you leave the village9 Now its just open fields10 11 12 2CV Rental car (deux chevaux vapeur), parked at the village hall.14 Enjoy some idyllic scenes 1920 21 23 25 Ye-Olde Wishing Well (Souhait bien? Puits aux voeux?) better check the translation.24