With the week's half term holiday we took the opportunity to visit France. Took the car across on the ferry from Dover to Dunkerque, a trip of two hours. Dover is about 140 miles from here, so we set the alarm for 4am, woke at 3am of course, and were on the road by 4. Had a clear trip down and arrived with plenty of time to catch the ferry - then found out it was running 2 hours late!!
Arrived at Dunkerque and took of for St Valery en Caux about 240 kms along the coast. found driving on the right hand side of the road quite easy, and as we were mainly on motorways, it was really a matter of sitting on the right hand lane and letting all the other buggers go racing by.We had booked a C hambre D'Hotel by internet, and found it easily. Our hosts were lovely people and Carol had a long conversation in French with them. Their house was magnificent. Picture at above right.. We were recommended to a restaurant on the waterfront and had a really great French meal- perfectly cooked fish with the most super sauce. We slept well - not waking up until 8.15. After the traditional French breakfast of croissants,bread jam and coffee we took off for a look at this beatiful town. A home used by Henry1v is being restored and houses a history of St Valery during the WW11. 50,000 allied troops were trapped there in 1940 and many died before the remainder surrendered. There were photos of the terrible damage that the town suffered during those early war years.
We then drove off to Bayeux, another fairly long drive. On arrival we had a forgettables pizza for lunch and then went to see the famous Bayeux Tapestries. This incredible relic is one continuous linen sheet 80 metres in length, delicately stitched to illustrate the story of the treachery of Harold who wrongly assumed kingship in 1065, and the revenge that William the Conqueror inflicted on him in 1066 with his Norman armies. Our B and B here was about 3 kms out of town, but was extremely comfortable and we were more than happy to drive back into the town for dinner. photo above left of the B and B.
Next morning we drove North to the coast to Arromanches where the June 1944 Invasion beaches are situated. The remains of the Mulberry Artificial harbour are clearly visible, and there is an excellent 360 degree cinema which shows a film depicting the invasion.A Museum also houses dramatic dioramas of the scale of the campaign.
Then we were off to St Mont Michel about 200 kms west. Travelled mainly on motorways once again and had a petrol crisis. The only servos we found were automatic stations which would only accept French credit cards - no cash.Carol insisted that the fuel guage was accurate and that we had plenty left to go the further 40kms to where a service station was promised. The empty light was on for a hell of a long time, but (as usual) Carol was right and we finally filled up with a mere 55 gallons!
And so to the Mont Michel. What a dramatic scene it makes. Rising from an island connected to the mainland by a causeway, it makes an incredible impression. Carol was keen to climb up to the top of the abbey, but my advanced years suggested a beer in a cafe with views as a good alternative!Pictures at top. After some hours of exploring we took off for Caen, another 120 kms away and with no accomodation booked we had to sesarch for a hotel. The trip was achieved in just under the hour with the good old Vectra purring along at 80mph.Arriving in a big city and having to navigate city traffic is not recommended for novice French driver. But after some hiccups we eventually found a hotel not unlike the Formula 1's.
Caen is a very old City and was severely damaged during WW11 with more than 80% of the city destroyed. One of the major churches was almost totally destroyed with just part of it's steeple left standing, but, by 1960 it had been faithfully reconstructed.There is an incredible emphasis everywhere in Normandy on the tremendous historical feat that the allies performed to free Europe from the Nazi yoke. Caen is also the site of a castle which William the Conqueror built on a vantage point of the city, and a substantial part still remains today.
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