We had no trouble getting the kids up this morning. Partly due to the jetlag and partly because of a desire to escape our less than spotless surroundings.
We hit the road to Bayeux, two hours away.
In French, the Bayeux Tapestry is Le Tapisserie de Bayeux. That sounds a lot like Patisserie, with its meringues, macarons, and les milles-feuilles. So that’s what I was thinking about on the way to the museum.
We were all pretty hungry by the time we arrived, and grabbed some excellent crêpes at a creperie on rue le Forestier just across from the cathedral. I tried out some cider, and now I’m a big fan of it. Very refreshing on a hot Normandy afternoon. I’ve found a new beverage to add to my drinking repertoire.
We picked up the audio guides for the tapestry, and began the journey with William and Harold. The audio guide starts pretty fast, and can be disorienting if you’re not paying close attention. While I remember one of the points of the story in the tapestry–that Harold was a douchebag–I didn’t really recall the bigger theme. Basically, if you take an oath using saints’ relics as a kind of warranty, you’d better follow through, or there will be hellfire to pay. Or, in Harold’s case, a well deserved arrow in the eye. Ouch.
I’d also forgotten about some details like the illustrations of Haley’s comet and heads detached from bodies. I think I got more of a kick out that than the girls.
It was 5:30pm by the time we were done, so time to make the long drive back to Fécamp.
When we arrived home that evening, I happened to glance at the paperwork for the gîte which, it turns out, says that they accept animals.
So, that explains the hair—which has had us all somewhat disturbed up til now—imagining an exceptionally furry human guest, possibly on chemotherapy, as the cause.
If we’d only known it was a rental house/animal shelter, we might’ve kept searching for another. But, we’re feeling a little less deceived by our hostess. At least she doesn’t deserve a stick in the eye.
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