We have had a relaxing few days - maybe I should say more relaxing cause when I think we've been on the road for a lot of them it doesn't sound too relaxing. Our major undertaking was a trip up to Rouen and the Seine Valley. It was a wonderful day - we drove via some picturesque towns - Bernay, Vimoutiers - and a couple of magnificent abbeys - to Rouen. The cathedral here is something to behold - unfortunately the front was covered in Gladwrap so we couldn't behold that very well. Had a look at the Vieux Marche where Jean d'Arc was burnt at the stake. They have built a very modernistic church on the site which didn't leave us feeling very satisfied. From Rouen we drove to the Seine Valley and followed it up to a place called Pont d'Audmer. It was a fantastic drive right along the Seine and we stopped and had a coffee on the banks of this mighty river. Pont d'Audmer was another pretty town built on a canal system. This was a really long day- over 12 hours on the road - but we enjoyed it. Usually we take a picnic with us of a baguette, tomato, cheese, ham, coffee and fruit. This allows us to stop at some very scenic places and to drink coffee on the banks of the Seine.
Yesterday we found the perfect place. It is quite near Falaise - Mensil Glaise. This is a chateau on the top of a cliff on the banks of the Orne River out in the countryside. It is out there by itself except for a little French restaurant. Just perfect. We sat on the banks of the river for a long time and just chilled for a while. From there we went and had Camembert and cideer in Camembert Village. How perfect was that!! Camembert is just a tiny village - no tourist rot or commercialisation. Just a little place you can have a plate of different types of camembert with some cider. We love that about France. For example I am typing this at Maccas in Falaise. It is right out in the Industrial Zone. Straight from the factory to your plate. All Maccas at least out in Normandy are out of town. Today we have been back to the D Day beaches to Arromanches - once again the areas are discreet about tourism and it really adds to the appeal. We went to a couple of the museums in Arromanches and were really impressed with the presentations. Today the Museum we visited showed how the Mulberry harbour was constructed to bring the troops and supplies and transportation ashore on D Day. Yesterday we went to a Museum explaining the complexities and strategies of the campaign around the Falaise Pocket. It was well presented with film, models, guides, etc.
Things I love about France:
Bread
Pastries
People who say "Bon appetit" as they walk by
The supermarkets and their cheap prices
The wine - no more than 3 euros a bottle
The fields
The villages and stone houses
Our accommodation and the people who own it
The language
The people
Mensil Glaise
The long days - light from 5 am - 10 pm
Picnics in the sunshine
Chateaux that just appear through incredible gateways
Things I'm not so keen on
The difficulties of not speaking the language
The price of beef
The two and half hour lunch break the whole of France takes every day
The fact that things close down when it's not summer
The price of petrol 1.39 euro
I sound like Maria von Trapp. Cheers everyone. Life is good.
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