Ste-Mere-Eglise - Englesqueville - Bayeux - Tournieres

 Thursday 8th September

We left the coast this morning and drove south, first to Ste-Mere-Eglise.  On the night on 5-6 June 1944 troops from the American 82nd Airborne Division landed by parachutes to assist the 101st division in clearing the exits from Utah Beach.  Hanging from the church steeple is a 'body' and his parachute as a reminder of Private Steele's alarming experience. Scared out of his wits by the events happening below him, he pretended to be dead for 2 hours a few feet from a bell which never stopped ringing.  He was eventually unhooked by the Germans. 

Outside the Mairie is the 'Borne O de la Voie de la Liberte'.  This is the first of the 12,000 symbolic milestones (bornes) planted along the Road of Liberty.  We have seen many of these on our travels over the last few days.

After a good wander around the town and visiting the small market, we travelled on to a Camping-Car Aire on a farm at Englesqueville.  It's like a small campsite behind this grand farmhouse.

It was here that we learnt of our dear Queen Elizabeth's passing this afternoon.  God Belss Her.  We've seen various people's postings of seeing a rainbow during the afternoon.  We also had a rainbow, although rather faint by the time I got out with the camera!  It can just be seen between our van and the one behind.

A short walk to the sea before that black cloud came over, we came to another WWII interesting landmark.  These fields, just a few yards from the top of cliffs were transformed into an airfield in a few days.

All the roads along this stretch of coastline, have banners on the street lights, with the name and a photo of the American heroes.  Jim Kunkle is close to the memorial.

We spent most of the evening watching the BBC news with tributes to our late Queen, so that's why the blog wasn't updated then!

Friday 9th September

Today we went the short way into Bayeux for some more history - this time, rather earlier times.  We'd visited the town and the Bayeux tapestry when our children were young - we think around 1983 (if not, Peter will put us straight - he remembers these things better than we do!)  So we felt it needed a re-visit and it was great to hear the story of the Norman Conquest again, along with admiring the amazing tapestry.  This is the building it is in.  Couldn't take photos as you are listening to a continuous commentary on an audio guide as you slowly walk past the tapestry and we didn't want to miss anything.

 

 We walked past the cathedral to get there ....

(note the Canadian and US flags on the left)

... and watched chaps doing something with a union jack.

We realised that because of the way the flag is hung, they were tying it half-way down the pole to represent half-mast.

Later, when we came past again, they had replaced all the other flags (US, Canadian etc.) with union flags tied similarly.  We were greatly moved by this show of respect for our Queen.

In the meantime we enjoyed lunch at Le Moulin restaurant.  I had French style fish & chips! and John had a gallette with loads of meat and cheese.

Then, a visit to the cathedral.

It was once felt necessary to hear a sermon from an elaborate pulpit.

We really liked the simplicity of the modern age.

The crypt is part of the original building dating back to 11C.

Just one of the beautiful buildings in the town.  Despite the German occupation in WWII, none of the buildings were destroyed.

A funny thing happened on our walk back to the van was a blue football rolling across the road and landing at John's feet.  We knew by the noise, that we were close to a school playground!  Four children were leaping up and down on the wall calling 'Monsieur', so John very deftly tossed it back over the fence!!

We've come to a campsite at Tournieres, just west of Bayeux for two nights - recommended by friends Jacqui and Gary, who store their caravan here.