15/09/2022
I was awake at 5am. Should I? I did. I got up, and walked back out onto the causeway leading to Mont Saint Michel. I just wanted to see it again in the dark. In the quiet. And I had a good while of it all to myself. Just before the buzz started with delivery trucks bringing the necessary for a new day of visitors.
Pancakes seem to be one of the things that Mont Saint Michel is famous for. So that had to be breakfast. 😊 Pancakes with butter and sugar. Or in Niel’s case – pancakes with sugar and lemon juice, and a pancake with caramel. And then it was time to leave. As the crowds swarmed in, I couldn’t help feeling that I had the advantage. I lived here. For one night, I lived on the island. I walked the cobblestone streets in absolute silence. The way it is meant to be.
Our home for the night is in Chartres. I don’t even think that I have ever really heard about the city. The decision to come here was almost on a whim. Mostly because Niel mentioned something about its cathedral. So it was only fitting that we paid it a quick visit.
Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral is one of the most authentic early 13th century cathedrals. It towers high above the city of Chartres, and has undergone very little alteration. The beautiful stained glass windows are still the original, probably only because someone had the good mind to remove them and store them in a safe location during the wars. Chartres Cathedral is one of those Cathedrals where you instinctively just quiet sit down to take it all in.
Initially, I was annoyed with myself for deciding not to have my camera with me. But then, I was pleased I didn’t.
For the second time today, I could just silently connect.
So happy you finally got to Mont Saint Michel! I’m also glad you got that moment to be alone, in the stillness of the morning, to enjoy the place you’ve dreamt about for a long time!! Fantastique!!