D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry (that isn't actually a tapestry)
Having seen lots of sweetcorn growing in the fields surrounding the area we live, we had assumed it would be on sale everywhere for our consumption. However, not having seen any in the shops, we were told recently that the French don't really eat corn on the cob, but use it for silage to feed the cows. Just thought I'd add that little fact in for you.
So a bit more decorating has been completed. We have now finished the 3rd bedroom that we were painting, it's another pink one.
 |
| Single pink bedroom (2) |
The sun managed to stay out long enough for us to complete the herb garden! It was hard work, but feels like an achievement now it is finished, and now there is a very large herb garden, waiting for its herbs!
 |
| Alex demonstrating the gardens size |
 |
| Our little teletubby land we created with the turf |
After all our hard work, we took a day off and headed North to Bayeux, famous for its tapestry. We had a little look at the famous piece of cloth, and learnt about the Battle of Hastings. I can't say the tapestry was the most exciting thing I have ever seen, but it's quite impressive that it has survived 1000 years and has an interesting story to go with it. (Apparently it's not actually a tapestry though, it is an 'embroidered cloth' - little unknown fact.)
 |
| A picture of a picture of the Bayeux tapestry (wasn't allowed a pic of the real thing) |
Whilst in Bayeux we had a little look around the rather picturesque village. Bayeux has a lot more going for it than the tapestry. We didn't have as much time as we would have liked to explore it, but it had lots of cute little streets, a big Cathedral and lots of 'salon de the' (tea shops).
 |
| Bayeux Cathedral |
 |
| A French Creperie |
 |
| Bayeux |
Close to Bayeux are what are known as the D-Day beaches, the beaches where armies from America, Britain and Canada landed in France on the 6th June 1944. The landings took place along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coast, split in to 5 different beaches. We visited 2 of them. The first we visited was 'Gold Beach' which was where the British 50th Division landed. Here you can see remains of 'Mulberry Harbour', a portable, temporary harbour which was developed by the British during World War 2 to enable them to get things on to shore as quickly as possible. It was assembled 3 days after D-Day, and remained in use for 8 months.
 |
| Remains of Mulberry B on Gold Beach |
 |
| Gold Beach - Mulberry B remains in the distance |
 |
| Mulberry B remains - Gold Beach
We also visited Omaha beach, a few miles along the coast. This was the beach where the American soldiers invaded. This was said to be the bloodiest battle of the day, with the highest number of casualties. In 2004, on the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, an art installation was put on to the beach to commemorate all the lives that were lost in 1944.
|
 |
| Art Installation on Omaha Beach |
I can't claim to know much about World War 2, but I do feel as though I have a learnt a lot more about it by visiting these beaches, along with the Cemetery we visited last week at St. James.
Peter and Christine returned this week, they are Jon's parents, and the owners of the house. They have been away for 6 weeks staying in the UK, but are now back for the winter in France.
I have been away in the UK this weekend for a wedding whilst Alex stayed in Normandy; where she has done a bit more decorating, chilled out and had Sunday lunch with the Beverley's.
We now have a week left in our current location before we head South to Burgundy.
0 Response to "D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry (that isn't actually a tapestry)"
Post a Comment