Thursday 14th May Of course we were up early again today!!! Visits planned to the landing beaches at Normandy. Misty cold day today, did a bit of a drive around Caen first, the old Cathedral, Courthouse and Police Station and past the Abbey, built in the 12th century and restored after WWII.
First stop is Gold Beach, this is where the British landed and is known as the British Sector.
Then to Arromanches where the American landed. Records indicate 9387 Americans lost their lives on this beach, 1550 of the bodys have never been located.
Very foggy and a little haunting seeing the conditions which would have met these soldiers. Now there are paddocks of wheat, apple and pear trees and lots of cattle on those areas where war was so savagely fought. Went to the war graves at Commes and Omaha Beach, very sobering thinking of all these young men killed on these beaches.
Visited Bayeux, which is famous for a 70 metre long tapestry made in about 1070 and depicts the Norman conquest of England. We saw some sections of it but we didn't go into the cathedral to see the lot. This area is also well known as a centre for fine linen. Bought some tea towels!!
Forever onward - this time towards Mont St Michel where we will stay nearby and visit tomorrow.
When we arrived at the motel we went out to buy something from the shop for tea, not much available so we ate at the restaurant, very expensive...$10 for beer....not getting drunk tonight!! After tea we walked about 2 kilometres towards Mont St Michel to get a photo, home and a glass of Calvados wine and a chocolate for dessert.
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| L'Ome River at Caen |
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| Caen Courthouse |
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| Police Station |
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| and Town Hall |
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| On Deauville Beach |
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| Extra wide beach |
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| With umbrellas for hire |
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| Arromanches armaments |
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| Looking out at the beach |
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| Can see the remains of the temporary wharfs and harbours built during the war to enable supplies and equipment to be brought ashore |
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| German gun turrets at Longes ser Mer |
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| War grave building at Omaha Beach |
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| Walking through the cemetary |
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| Small restaurant near Omaha Beach |
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| Another war memorial near the beaches. |
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These are some photos with information about the landings.
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| Landing beaches. |
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| Arromanche at Omaha Beach showing the temporary harbour and landing structures |
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