Late start this morning, but we coaxed the girls out of bed with the promise of hitting the beaches. I wonder how Eisenhower managed, back on the morning of June 6, 1944? When it was time to wake up, did the troops roll over in bed and ask for another 15 minutes? I bet there were no arguments about who got to use the blow-dryer next, nor time wasted trying to figure out the coffee maker.
On the road by 11am, the two hour journey on the A29 and A13. First stop, the 360 degree cinema showing scenes from D-Day and then modern day Normandy. After recent movies like Saving Private Ryan, this was kind of a let-down, more like the old classic movie versions of D-Day where the shocking, brutal reality of live battle is just outside the view of the camera. Some modern day footage from the point of view of a tank driver, driving through a field of disinterested cows was the most entertaining part.
Then, onto the beach. I tried to get the girls to join me at a WWII museum, but no takers. Apparently, lazing on the beach, sunning oneself is more fun than seeing real tanks and howitzers. I don’t understand.
Late in the day, after a stop for ice cream, we headed off to Honfleur for dinner. Honfleur is a picturesque harbor town, just across the Seine estuary from Le Havre, which is not quite so picturesque. These polar opposites are connected by the impressive Pont du Normandie—Normandy Bridge.
These pictures were taken by Lauren, leaning out the window of the car at 70kmh.
Honfleur has dozens of restaurants ringing the harbor. But, if one is looking for vegetarian options, choices are much more limited. One member of our party really had to go to the bathroom. Trying to head straight to the toilet at one restaurant, we were chased out by a waiter. So, we chose another restaurant, sat down at a table, and waited while one of us used the toilet. We were seriously considering getting some pizza there, but changed our mind—and left. We spent another 45 minutes walking up and down the row of restaurants, looking for something that would please everyone. We were starting to get desperate, and the pizza place was looking like our best option. But there was no way we could return after doing the pee-and-dash on them. We’ve noted that french waiters can be rather temperamental.
We finally settled on a place. It looked like it would be cheese crêpes once again for the twins. But the food was quite good, and so was the wine.
We got back to Fécamp late enough that we went straight to bed. Too tired to mind the smell.
Oh, and here is a behind-the-scenes shot from the Normady Bridge photo session:
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