Blogs from Rouen, Upper Normandy, France, Europe

Today’s blog will not have a Today’s eats section, not because we didn’t eat, but because the food truly deserves to be blogged about in its entirety. We awoke in side the walls of Mont-St. Michel to a beautiful cloud free bright sunny day. We showered, packed and headed to breakfast. I have previously blogged that breakfast in France and many European countries is not a big affair, typically croissants, fruit and coffee (hence the term continental breakfast in the United States). Today however was much more. Yes there were the croissants, half baguettes, juice, yogurt, but there was so much more. There was, as in Chateau Criessel, the ham and cheese platter, scrambled eggs and bacon, freshly made crepes to stuff with your choice of fillings, granola, cereals, bread for toast, fresh fruit and my ... read more

Today lots of people from the cruise went to Paris. Mummy & daddy debated about it too, but we would only get 5 hours in the city so instead we headed to Rouen. It was a cool city. Really old with lots of old churches, most of which have been restored since being bombed during WW2. We even saw some churches which had bullet holes all over it. When I shouted inside one of them there was a big echo! Mummy and daddy enjoyed camembert sandwiches and pain aux chocolates whilst I had an Ella's kitchen!! Not fair! We were docked about at hour away from Rouen, at La Harve and we walked from the train station to the ship (about 3 miles). I was nice, warm, cozy and dry in my buggy, but it was ... read more

We departed our berth just after 8.10 that morning to await the opening of the bridge and get through the locks to the mouth of the Seine in time to catch the tide we hoped would carry us to Rouen, some 65 miles upriver. As we waited for the bridge we found amusement in a couple next to the Vieux Bassin (harbour we were in). We watched them scurrying back and forth from the water’s edge to their camera which was rested on a bollard, trying desperately to get a holiday snap of themselves. Apparently this wasn’t all that easy - they completed the ritual at least 5 times whilst we were waiting and for all I know they’re still there. The lock on the way out was fun. On the way in the water had ... read more

I am done with Paris and have made my way over to Normandy. Paris was beautifull. It seemed way more historic than London. That, and the food was better. I stayed in a hotel where I could see the Arc d Triumph from my balcony. That was cool at night. I didn't stay there the whole time due to prices. I went to a hostel for the last night and stayed in a room with some odd German girls. Not very friendly types. I have now moved on to Normandy. It is difficult to find places to stay in these small towns, but they are definately more relxing than the big cities. Tomorrow I am off to see the D-Day beaches. After that I am headed to a resort town for a few days at the ... read more

This middle ages city is well preserved and so pretty. It is here where St. Joan of Arc was sold to the British who tortured her as a witch and burned her at the stake. It seems that no one spoke up on her behalf. The church built in her memory is an incredible piece of very modern architecture in the town of gothic churches, The cathedral of Notre Dame (so frequently painted by Monet) dominates the city scape. Monet painted it again and again, working with it as much for "light study" as for subject matter. Today, we opted out of the optional tour to a Caldavos apple orchard and cider farm lunch. It's nice to balance really good guided tours with some time to explore on our own. Thankful for comfy shoes, good maps ... read more

Hey everybody! Well, I just wanted to update a bit, unfortunately cannot post pictures on this entry but I will try on another computer at some point! So, we left London early on Saturday morning, Aug.8. We arrived in France via the Eurotunnel quite quickly, spent most of our first day travelling. We made a brief stopover on Saturday in Iepres, Belgium to see the Menen/Menin Gate. It is a war memorial site for the soldiers who were lost/unable to be identified for WW1. It was very interesting and I even found a Lenz from Canada. Originally my family name was Lenz but after several years in Canada, became Lentz. So, I am not sure if it was a family member or not but I found it interesting anyhow! We have stayed in Bed and Breakfast ... read more

Drove 40 minutes to Rouen, an historic city full of half timbered houses. Most famous for its Cathedral, and to being the place Joan of Arc was captured and executed by burning at the stake. Visited these places, as well as walking down many interesting laneways. Most shops were closed for Easter. Also visited the plague cemetery, where a mass grave of plague victims is in a fully enclosed courtyard. Finally the Joan of Arc tower, where she was held captive before her execution. Went home via Lyons-La-Foret, an old, scenic village. ... read more