Remembering

Normandy has many virtues making it a lovely place to visit, but the most sobering are the memories of  D Day on June 6, 1944.  American, British & Canadian Forces landed on the beaches, laying the foundation of the "Allied victory on the Western Front"

After our visit to Bayeux, we drove to Arromanches-les-Bains,
where there is a Museum commemorating D Day,
as well as a circular theater showing films
 of what happened during that time.

After spending some time in quiet reflection, trying to imagine what it was like for the soldiers who were there to help, and the citizens who were overjoyed to see them, we went to visit the American Cemetery

This shows which troops landed at each section of the beach

Unless you see it in person, 

it is hard to fathom so many graves all in one place

This church in Sainte Mere Eglise, is where paratrooper John Steele missed his mark and landed on the steeple of the church.  He remained there for a number of hours pretending to be dead for the German soldiers.  At the same time, a fire had broken out in the village, so the townspeople rang the church bells for hours asking for assistance from other villages.  As a result, once he was finally rescued by the Allies, his hearing was irrevocably damaged. 

Look up.....this is how they found the paratrooper

Thank you to everyone who lost their lives in battle for our freedom!

We drove back in silence to L'Etang Bertrand, where Andy lives, and although feeling affected by the afternoon, we still needed sustenance for the evening meal...life does go on.....

Andy chose the local 'creperie' for dinner,
which was a beautiful spot by the water. 

First for me....hamburger steak & tomatoes in a crepe!

I love swans....

It was time to say goodbye to Andy....Thanks so much for everthing!


Next up....back to the Loire Valley