We are growing weary of french bread and cheese and the days are starting to all run together. Plus the weather is windy and cold. Douglas has been wearing the same jeans for over a week! He states the Levi claims that their jeans can be worn for 1 month without washing? WTH? [Ed. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/10849511/How-often-should-you-wash-your-jeans.html ]
Why did I think that France would be on the same latitude as the Carolina’s? France is more in line with the Seattle/Portland area which also has some great wine. Alas, latitude isn’t everything when it come to weather, jet streams, ocean currents all play a major part in how it all plays out.
Sometimes things are farther than you think from a quick glance at a map on your phone. Driving today was quite a task. We drove from the AirB&B in Thiverval-Grignon to Giverny then to Bayeux, then toOmaha Beach and the Atlantic ocean, and finally turning south and heading to our stay at Chateau de Bouceel near Mont Saint-Michel.
I’ve always had this fascination with the Bayeux Tapestry and Douglas was suddenly interested in seeing the D-Day Memorial so we headed northeast towards Normandy after visiting Giverny. The tapestry is the most interesting piece of art I’ve seen on this trip so far. Created in a comic book style, the 220 foot long tapestry tells the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the conquest of England by William the Conqueror. Considered the best piece of Anglo-Saxon art, the tapestry is embroidered with silk and yarn. It is in remarkably good condition for being 900 years old and was displayed every year at the Cathedral as a visual history lesson of the past. In its day, it was more like propaganda to make sure everyone knew who was strong and powerful.
What does the ‘D’ mean in D-Day? Just the word Day or disembarkation. On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy during WWII.
There is a tremendous amount D-Day information on the web and throughout the villages in area. Learning about the paratroopers that dropped in behind German lines, the gliders, the five beach heads attacked, and how the local French people withstood the German occupation, helped the allies and protected resources was amazing. For so many to stand together united is inspiring.
9387 American soldiers lost their lives in WWII and are buried in this cemetery above Omaha Beach. I got chills walking thru the grounds. It is a very powerful site.
