Day 20 – 15th May
Up at 6.30am, on the road at 8am and got into our next hotel at 7pm tonight so a long day on the bus, but saw several great places today.
We drove to Mont St. Michel, which is on a small island linked by a causeway. There are 12 monks living there in the abby who also have part time jobs apparently- however we didn’t see them. It is perched on this high spot with zillions of stairs, its great for the legs. It also has quicksand around it, that can see people disappear and we saw heaps of people out on the mudflats??!!!
Next we journeyed to Omaha beach to the American war cemetery- what a waste of life. There are almost 10,000 crosses there as that many men died on the D –Day beaches and surrounding areas in the first 10 days.We were able to go down onto the actual beach as well. It is a beautiful spot now however, very still and quiet, it is just like in the film Saving Private Ryan, according to the Veterans who witnessed both the real thing and the movie. The weather had packed in and it was quite wet by now, Carine said this is what the weather was like on the day of the invasion. Makes you realize how much they must have suffered and of course we don’t know the half of it.
At 6pm (!) we were then taken to the Bayeaux tapestry museum to see the 70 metre tapestry that was finished in 1077 !!!! It was massive and told the story of the battle of Hastings. Fascinating Im sure, especially if you are into tapestry, however by this time everyone was pretty shattered, so we walked back to the bus to find the driver had locked the doors while he washed the outside of it in the pouring rain???!!! It is one thing to have pride in your work, but that was ridiculous so there was almost a mutiny as we all stood shivering in the rain and wind. Then we all decide to bolt and demand he let us in!!!! Luckily the TD had arrived so his head was saved!! Funny really…
Went to the Mercure Omaha beach hotel which is great, set on one of the few golf courses in France. Great room with a separate room upstairs for Danni – yay for everyone as we have spent most of the time 3 in a double room with 2 singles and a camp stretcher!!
Had a great meal then a group photo one of the ladies organized as Trafalgar doesn’t do them anymore, so a good end to a long but interesting day.
4 comments:
The military cemetery would have been a poignant sight - all so fruitless. Apart from all that, hope you're really enjoying the experience despite the pace of the tour.
Hey Guys
Wow - France sounds amazing but all very fast paced!! Have enjoyed logging in today and reading your adventures. Photos are amazing - the architecture looks awesome and as your Mum and Dad have said - the cemetery photo would have been taken with a lot of reflection on lives lost - and so needlessly!
Danni - loved the photo of you in the manicured gardens - hope you are having a blast kiddo!
Greer voted of DWTS this week (Paul Holmes last week as you probably already know!) So only Brendon, Suzanne and Megan left now - all very exciting!!
All else good here - little Kate still just the most delightful little girl and just growing up so big - I'm afraid you won't recognise her by the time you come home!! Gareth as pleased as punch - cows all dried off this morning - so big sleep in tomorrow!! Yahooo!!
Oh and just so u don't think we've forgotten - HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU OLD FART!!! Naughty forties here we come!! Will look with anticipation for evidence of you keeping up your end of the bargain and wearing your "40's" gear on the big day!! Hope you have an awesome day - Graeme - hope you will be letting the bus know and ensuring she gets suitably embarassed!!
Loads of love
Du xxxxxxxxxx
Well hi there. Can't believe how quickly you're running around. Can't believe even more that it seemed as though you left us and then just a couple of days later you were already in the South of France. Looks like you timed your trip to the UK to perfection. It's done nothing but rain since you left - back to normality. Really enjoyed having you stay here and hope was the same for you too.
All the best Matt & Michelle.
Hi all,
thanks Du, how could I forget the badge for my birthday? cant type fast on this french keyboard so have to keep it quick!!!
Glad Bubs is behaving and Gareth is up for a big sleep lol
Cya
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