The Normandy Beaches

We were up early as we wanted to get to the  Normandy landing beaches early, and we had 125 kms to travel.  We made good progress and arrived at our furthest point, La Pointe Du Hoc at about 11.00am.  La Pointe Du Hoc was one of the strategic points in the German Fortifications along the Normandy coast.  The 2nd Battalion of Rangers managed to scale the summit in just a few minutes, despite the slippery surface, ropes made heavy by seawater and enemy fire.  The site contains the remnants of the German artillery battery and bears testimony to the bitter fighting of June 6th and 7th which cost the lives of 135 Rangers.  This site is quite remarkable, as you can wander around it freely.  You can wander into the bunkers, clearly see the craters left by enemy fire and generally get a feel for the remarkable feat of the Rangers. 

From there we headed to Omaha Beach where some of the American forces landed.  There are several memorials on the site. 

We then visited the Normandy American Cemetary and Memorial.  It was very moving the see the neatly lined crosses.  Most poignant were the crosses with the imprint "Here rests in honoured glory a comrade in arms known but to god". 

Our final visit was to te Aromanches 360 cinema on Juno Beach.  Here we were able to watch a film called "The Price of Freedom".  The film contained some distressing images.  It just highlights how futile war is and what a terrible price was paid.  When you see the age of some of the young men going to war and landing on those beaches it is heartbreaking.

  After these visits we decided to go visit the town of Bayeaux, where the Bayeaux Tapestry is displayed.  From what we saw it is an extremely pretty town, but alas, it started raining, and none of us had the heart to wander around in it.  So we headed back to our cottage prior to going out for dinner.  We thought we would give the nearby town of Vimoutiers a try.  What a terrible disappointment.   There were a few bars open, but nothing that really looked appealing, so we decided to head for a supermarket in town to pick up a few supplies for dinner.  The display of the fruit and vegetables had to be seen to be believed.  Totally wrinkled capsicums, fermenting apricots, rotting lettuce.  This is no exaggeration!  We picked up a couple of potatoes, onions and frozen peas for a vegetable omelet.  As much as we are enjoying our stay in this area, we have found that there is very little open, and very little to do nearby.