Thursday, June 19, 2014 (St. Pair-Au-Sur, Normandy, France)

Today we are making our first trip to the D Day beaches, a trip that I have been anticipating for months. We drove to Arromanches and started by watching a very entertaining  and enlightening 360 degree movie made up entirely of Allied and Axis films taken during and around June 6, 1944. We then proceeded to the cliffs overlooking the beaches for our first look at where it all happened. As you will see in our pictures, some of the artificial breakwater built by the Allies still remains. 

You only have to close your eyes and remember scenes from the movie “The Longest Day” or much more recently “Saving Private Ryan” and you can imagine with us the carnage that took place down below us.

After spending time viewing the beaches, we decided to drive to nearby Bayeau and got there in time to walk through the town for a bit before deciding on a restaurant for dinner. 

Lots of american flags in this town, actually lots in this whole area!

Typical village street...whats not typical is the speeds they fly down them!!

Bill's favorite shops...well maybe a toss up with the ice cream shops!

                                     

Lots and Lots and Lots of shoe stores for Nicole!

During dinner we had the pleasure to meet and share a couple of drinks with Brigadier Johnny Rickett, CBE. A veteran of the British military, he now comes frequently to France and especially to this area and gives guided tours of the beaches and the memorials. Since he was returning home the following day, he had to decline my request to guide us, but he spent several hours regaling us with WWII history and offered numerous tips and suggestions for our trip. We exchanged cards and promises to look each other up whenever in the other area in the future.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Drove to Sables-or-les-Pins, in Brittany. Then drove back up via the coast road, through Cap Frehel, stopping to photograph the lighthouse. 

Then on to Ft Lalatte, a fabulous restored castle once used in a Hollywood movie. Bill climbed to the top up a rope ladder.

 Then on to Dinan for more sightseeing, picture taking and dinner.