10/31 - Chateau Gaillard - Part One

Andelays is one of those picture perfect towns along the river which twists and turns its way from Paris to the sea in Le Harvre. Richard chose a commanding position above the town which meant great views of the town and countryside, but like a lot of his schemes, the castle was never that useful. It was abandoned and left to shepherds and bandits.

10/30 - Chateau Gaillard - Part Two

10/29 - Rouen at Night and a Nature Store

Maybe it was COVID, but we really enjoyed exploring the shops in Rouen. As noted, the big chains were there, but there were also all sorts of stores that seemed wonderfully exotic. We're all too familiar with the shelves of an American Walgreen's or CVS, but the shelves of a French pharmacy, probably part of a big chain, were fascinating.

France was in the midst of a civil crisis, so we saw some signs of the rioting and disruption. We still don't know how to say plywood in French, but we saw enough of it on shop windows.

10/28 - Jumieges Abbey

10/27 - Beuvron en Auge

10/26 - Welcome to Cabourg

10/25 - Our View From Our Hotel Room in Cabourg

10/24 - Obviously, Gaston's

10/24 - Hotel Window Views in Cabourg

10/23 - Caen and William the Conqueror's Castle

Then, we took a bus into town and went to a memorial for another invasion in the other direction, William the Conqueror's invasion of England. Caen was his home town, and his home town castle was impressive with its high walls, defenses and broad view of the city.

We had some trouble finding the entrance and followed at least one false avenue before following the castle walls. We walked the high walls and followed the history as the fortress was built and added to over centuries.

10/22 - Cabourg Sunrise and Moonset

Our next stop was a German gun emplacement. Our guide Sebastien's grandfather had been forced to help build it. They had tried using inferior concrete mixing in extra water, but the Nazis caught them and warned them to stop.

Then we went to the American D-Day memorial with the graves of American soldiers who died in the invasion. It was a solemn, serene place with too many grave markers to even try and count. The gray day added to the melancholy atmosphere.

10/21 - D-Day in Normandy

Our next stop was another set of German guns up on the bluffs over the landing beach. Our guide Sebastien told us that his grandfather had been conscripted by the Germans and forced to build these bunkers. He and the other conscripts tried watering the cement, but the Germans caught them and warned them. The D-Day invasion is more of a presence in Normandy even after all these years.

Then we went to the American Cemetery with its graceful monuments and broad array of grave markers. It was a gray day and raining lightly to match the mood of the place. We wandered the walkways and admired the reflecting pool. We paused to look down from the bluffs at the beach below.

10/20 - Last Morning in Cabourg

Then the pink shirts started to appear. First a few, then in increasing numbers. It was Pink October, and they were marching to raise funds to fight breast cancer. Soon, the promenade was full of marchers. Here's to fighting one of the many good fights.