To get into the Château de Chenonceau, visitors have to cross this small bridge. I can't find anything definitive about it, but I wonder if it wasn't a pont-levis (drawbridge) at some point. It's not now. There is one existing drawbridge that connects the galerie across the Cher river to the left bank. I've also seen historical photos that show another drawbridge on the right bank, just north of the Tour des Marques, at the time of the second world war. It looks like it was replaced by a fixed bridge similar to the one in this photo.
Refrigerator update! The appliance guy came to look at the fridge yesterday. The short story is that he could repair it, but it would cost almost as much as we paid for it. Somehow I knew he was going to say that. Certainly not worth it, especially given that something else could go wrong at any time. So, we've decided to spend a little more for a new fridge. His wife, who runs the store, told us they could have it for us by Tuesday.
In the meantime, we decided to use our old chest freezer (which we've been storing in the garage) as a makeshift fridge. We turn it on and get it cold, then turn it off again before the temperature goes below freezing. This goes on several times a day and we have to be vigilant about it, but it keeps the food cold.
That IS a fascinating bridge. The fridge news is what I expected. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteDennis's repair to our fridge seems to be working. I sympathize with your mess and the makeshift arrangement of using the freezer. But what a great idea to keep things going while you wait!
ReplyDeleteCool bridge. I wonder if they had to divert the river upstream to do the construction.
Wilma, they probably used cofferdams, batardeaux in French, for several arches at a time, then pump the water and set the piles on which to build the arches.
Deleteindeed the bridge is fascinating and calls out what is the story behind it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you have a good back up to help with the wait for the new fridge. Mine is now 11 years old, I guess... we've been in this house since mid 2011. Yikes! I would hate to lose my big fridge!
ReplyDeletemitch, I don't think appliances are made to be repaired any more. Toss it! Get a new one!
ReplyDeletewilma, it's nice to be handy!
michael, if we were in Normandy, I'd say it would be to keep the vikings out!
judy, keeping fingers crossed!