Blogs from Mont Saint-Michel, Lower Normandy, France, Europe - page 3

When we awoke this morning, we were in France! We had time for a quick breakfast in the restaurant, getting to see daylight onboard the ship for the first time. Once we said goodbye to he lovely ferry, the reality of the fact that we're on our own for the next 9 days set in. Fortunately, to Elysia's delight, people can understand her French, and she could understand them. We took a taxi to the Dinard airport to pick up the car. Elysia was pleased that she could hold a conversation with the driver. It's fun to be able to speak at least some of the language! When we got to the airport it was dark and looked closed, but it was past opening time. We were able to get inside and find the rental office. ... read more

There are some things in life that lose their awe-inspiring power when experienced again. The D-Day Beaches of Normandy, France, do not fit into this category. After checking out of the apartment, we left Paris bound for the village of Bayeux. From Bayeux, it was only a short bus ride to Omaha Beach. Cool and grey, the mood was set for a moving walk through history. Our visit began with a tour through the Omaha Beach Visitor Center. Though the events and facts of the D-Day invasion were factually presented, the beauty of the Visitor Center is not its preservation of historical information. Rather, the center focused on the individual stories of sacrifice and heroism. Through videos, letters, and diary entries, we were moved by the incredibly personal perspective. What made the presentation even heavier was ... read more

MONT ST. MICHEL Day 9 Got the super early train to Pontorson so that I could visit Mont St. Michel. Before I forget to comment on an important matter; dogs are allowed to ride the train in Europe. All over the place I keep seeing dogs on the trains and not just little ones either. I like it! Dogs should be able to ride whatever train they want to. Back on track now, Mont St. Michel is an amazing abbey that is built on a hill in the middle of a bay. There is a road that has been constructed in order to reach the hill. The story goes that the Archangel Michael came to St. Aubert in a number of dreams and told him to build this abbey on this particular spot. So that ... read more

These pictures were taken in Bayeaux and at Mont Saint Michel Abbey on July 25 and 26. the Bayeaux tapestry is now displayed under glass, but was originally hung around the nave of the Cathedral in Bayeaux. Mont Saint Michel is an island abbey that has been a pilgrimage center since A. D. 708. The Bishop of Avranches built this abbey after receiving instructions from Michael the Archangel. It is connected to the mainland by a 2 mile causeway. During low tide it is surrounded by mud flats. When high tide rushes in, most of the parking lots are submerged and the island, except the causeway, is surrounded by water.... read more

The Petit Tour - Day 1 Streatham Hill to Brittany is a few hundred miles as the crow flies. We didn't have a crow big enough, so chose to drive, crossing the channel in the belly of a train and stopping at a WWII cemetery and in William the Conqueror's backyard on the way. Driving on the right, and therefore the wrong, side of the road didn't hinder our progress as much as the numerous 'peages' (toll stations) en route, which reduced the deluge of British caravaners to a trickle. The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer is located behind Omaha beach. Looking down from the viewpoint you get the impression that the flat expanse of sand would be an excellent place to throw down a towel and chill out. No need to get up early to beat ... read more