Filling the Gap

bird seen along the way  (falcon? hawk?)

Normandy

Have been away from here for so long!  So much to catch up.

In order of events that I have neglected, are:

1. My visit with Amanda and Rob to Normandy Beaches.

2. A trip to the beaches on the south coast near Vannes, with Lucile

3. My visit to Paris with Jo, Gloria and Gail!!

4. And my visit with Jay all over the place!!


So, this post is #1.   Normandy with Amanda and Rob


The American portion of the Normandy Beaches memorials are closed right now due to the Gov't Shutdown in the US.   Seems strange as this is in France, but the ground is "owned" by the US and falls under the Parks Dept.  

When I was there with Amanda and Rob, it was hot summertime. July 31.  A 3 hour drive up from Josselin.  We went directly to our B&B to check in early.  That way, we could have an evening dinner out before a late return for the night.  The B&B was really lovely.  In Lamberville, Normandy.
Down a tree lined "avenue" we came to "La Beauconniére", which is an old farm with stone mansion and another stone house to the rear outfitted as a B&B with 5 rooms, all with separate baths.  Our host, Dean welcomed us warmly and gave us lots of interesting and useful information.  The next morning, after a scrumptious breakfast we met the kids, on horseback and also the family pets.  A pair of labs and an adorable cat, Jesse.  Dean's wife Karen, is an American from Glens Falls!!  Of course we had a good chat!  Also, Karen made the most delicious cake and I am still wanting that recipe.

Jesse the Cat

Amanda enjoying her Moule-Fritte ( mussels and fries! )

this pic really belongs at end of the Normandy pics

Add caption

 Amanda and Rob with our host, Dean

 A 40 minute drive north to the Beaches.....


 At the Normandy Beaches

while standing on the path overlooking the bluff this plane did a fly-over....it was spine tingling! (Amanda took this pic)

great pic! 

 Cemetery, Omaha  and Utah Beaches

10,000 American graves

a gun bunker (battery)

Normandy itself, the beaches, were overwhelming.  There are few words to express the emotions felt for events which took place before we were born.  But the facts and legends of WWII are somehow ingrained in the American conscious for a couple of generations past that time.  D Day was 2 years before I was born.  But it was fresh in the minds of my family and my teachers during my growing up years.  It was "taught" in High School.  We knew people or knew of people who had been in the War. Family.  It mattered to us.  To be there, to stand and look over the scene and imagine the brutal horror that took place there is very humbling.  We are thankful and grieved at the same time.  It is a huge contrast to see the now peaceful and elegant setting preserved with dignity and natural beauty.  I feel enormously proud of those who saw fit to build and consecrate this memorial.  It was a great honor to visit there.

huge craters everywhere on the bluff of Utah Beach made by bombs

After the Beaches......

Boat in Grandcamp-Maisy 

When we left the D-day beaches, we traveled along the coast to the west to find a small fishing village called Grandcamp-Maisy.  This is where Amanda had her Moules-Frittes.  We ate at an outdoor bistro overlooking the little protected harbor filled with colorful fishing boats.  This is also where Amanda discovered her favorite Normandy brew.

 Then we went back to La Beauconniére for the night.  Next morning, we left for Saint-Malo.  A city on the coast back in Bretagne. (Brittany).  A fortress city with old town within the walls.  On our way, we drove on many country roads, narrow and windy with hay bales in all the fields along with many cows.  Whenever we came to a docile cow setting, we took pictures.  All the cow pictures are great.  I know Rob thought it was funny and we had a lot of laughs.  Amanda and I share a love of cows.  Especially their faces. 

a country house we came across in the middle of nowhere on a country road

Amanda took these

(I think I took this one)

that bird taking flight....in motion, but feet are still on the post   

SO THEN, ON TO SAINT-MALO.......

A charming medieval city, largely reconstructed after WWII.  Lots of shops and bistros. A good time was had by all. 

                           And back to Josselin that evening.  

                      Rob reading in my Josselin house on rue Beaumanoir

         
The Breton dancers on the square, Notre Dame, in Josselin  

ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A WONDERFUL TIME, HAVING AMANDA AND ROB VISIT ME HERE IN FRANCE!!!  THESE GREAT MEMORIES WILL LAST FOREVER!!  â biebtôt !!  
See you at the next post: Beaches at Vannes