Travelling through Normandy was a treat from the usual mountains of delightful Switzerland as the landscape was rather flat with a few hills...ok perhaps the occasional mountain...but then again it was farming land with white cows and lots of cabbage patches.
We headed towards Deauville along the coast with its huge beaches and of course its the playground of the young rich and not that far from Paris. On the way i really wanted to see Omaha Beach....... and all its history as i just love war films merely for the entertainment and not the killing...sounds twisted but then i really gave it no other thought but mere entertainment. Well my visit to the war memorial has changed my mind considerably. On entering the area covered in white crosses there were signs asking for silence and respect where hundreds of people milled around and through the lines of graves.
Turning to see the vast amount of graves i was totally overcome and tears flooded down my face just seeing the extent of death of young and old alike from all denominations. It was just too much to take in and not feel the anger well up that men could be so arrogant in sending others to their grave for their idology`s then on the other side those defending their freedom. I remember seeing pictures many years ago but then it did not have the effect on me but being there on site turned my stomach changing my mind as to what man is all about. Thoughts about whether war is an option where so many suffer for the ideals,greed,arrogance and madness of the maniacs who posture war set off a flood of thoughts of how to circumvent future wars with its suffering. Coming to mind is the horrific massacre in Darfur and many other trouble spots in the world where so called „leaders“ of that nation war with their own people and their neighbours. Here one can make a difference and help change the frightening plight of others...make a difference now
Darfur....
I would suggest that all schools book their pupils to take a trip to the site so that they may experience what i had so that they may know what the future holds for them if they take no action against these war mongers. Yeah i can rant on but i wish for world peace and stability where all men can live free without the wars and genocides that have swept the nations.
Deauville was to be the highlight of the trip where we were staying for a couple of nights and to walk along the magnificent beach also discovering the main shopping area sporting all the top fashion brands shop after shop including those making my favorite crepes. A warning to those ordering crepes....make sure that u choose one where they make your crepe fresh on the spot...i had one who whisked one out the fridge,perhaps from yesterday,putting it in the microwave and then wrapped it in tin foil. Why tin foil...well when i had it in my hand this thing flopped forward and tasted disgusting so i dumped it in her dustbin....that she had the cheek to charge for that...foolish me paying for it.
Here we arrived at the fabulous La Barriere 5 star hotel where the service was par excellence with staff like hot and cold running water...... Hot service but being cool when needed...neat hey! The ladies on reception were wonderful and made our stay something to remember as they went out of their way to service our needs...not that we asked much but then there was a story....lets leave it there...all good mind you.
The room booked by my partner was luxurious and the bathroom was large enough to swing a cow and the bed...enormous..and other thoughts jumped to mind...this is where it all started. Hold the bathroom thought. Well show me a good bed and i turn into something else....grrrrr. Whisked off for a walk along the beach to witness the warm and sunset where i collected seashells of all sorts, unusual yes as i have not done that in 50 years but hey had fun as i had in mind to make seashell covered xmas gifts for friends and family...just to see that look on their faces...after all things are tight and a hand made gift...tongue in cheek. Then back to that bathroom.....smile...where the bathroom invited some hot steamy sex...did i just say that...... Here we felt rather all French cuisine`d out and opted for a burger of some sorts...can you imagine being in Beaumont and eating a hamburger but then this was no ordinary hamburger as it was huge and like nothing else i had tasted before in a hamburger.
Lazy days spent walking aound and a great market in the centre of the town where i headed straight for the stall selling a large variety of sweet patisserie`s ,my sweet tooth took me to some other shops where i guzzled some other tasty bits.
It was time to leave and we headed off the the infamous Mont Saint-Michel...an Abbey..here is a link .....Abbey
To say the least this Abbey was stunning and conjured up so many thoughts as the entire place was seductive and full of history. Took so many pictures as the architecture was really to be marveled at as the rooms were voluminous with huge stone blocks and they all had to be carried up to the top of this hill one by one,...i guess.... The sunset was amazing with the receded waters leaving a shining glimmer of water around the Abbey where we stayed for one night. The hotel was up a narrow alley and rather ordinaire ....after Deauville...but then again we wanted to stay in the Abbey and all was fully booked and we were fortunate to find a room......
Time to leave and we set off home with a long drive ahead....9 hours later the Swiss border.