Last night in Calvados

As Anne bid farewell to the Jardins Publique, .....

....... we pondered whether we should visit the Zoo for Jurques, but decided against it.

So off to Aunay-sur-Odon for a dinner of moules, and ...

fresh vegetables.

While the meal started out healthily enough, with all those fresh vegetables, it soon descended into a French orgy of salmon cooked in cream, steak with a camembert, apple and calvados sauce, and more profiteroles than you could climb over. Thank goodness we head for the Loire tomorrow, where we might find healthier and simpler food. Or not.

Le Jardins Publique

A Simpson feature, to maintain the Jardin's French theme

More alfresco. Beautiful pate on a baguette.

An amazing beech tree, over 140 years old. It has to be supported by a system of steel ropes.

And Erik and Oskar, we found this great playground. We were so sorry that you weren't there to go on the slide.

Bayeux Cathedral II

Inside the Cathedral was marvellous - the glass walls in the nave making it much lighter than many French Cathedrals.

The main organ, which may interest you, Bill. Sorry I couldn't get any details about it.

The confessional line seemed to have some shady characters in it, but otherwise the cathedral was a beautiful place.

Bayeux Cathedral I

As we discussed the best approach to the Cathedral ........

....... Peter O'Loughlin pedalled past. (We knew it was him from the slimness of the ankles)

The cathedral itself was magnificent. They started building it in 1077, so it's nearly 1000 years old.

Bayeux

The Bayeux Tapestry was totally out of bounds to cameras, but still quite an experience. As we filed out, I said (quoting Andy) "tick", to which Anne replied "any more 'ticks' and I'll think you have Tourettes!"

In the forecourt of the Tapestry building was this boat. I include it for Peter O'l, to study the tiller arrangement.

Anne was interested in the way they stitched the tapestry.

As I've already said, we weren't allowed to photograph the Tapestry, so I'll conclude this blog with a photograph of a waterwheel which was quite near the street leading to the building where the tapestry was kept. Impressions of the Tapestry itself will be found on postcards sent to a fortunate few.

French Design & Technology 101

Our morning coffee in Bayeux was greeted with this outstanding piece of non-design. If anyone asks you the time while drinking from this cup, DON'T ANSWER.

In the same bar, Cathy went to the toilet, then returned to demand that Anne go and photograph the loo. The Gladwrap type film on the seat rotates (on pushing a button) through about one-third of a turn. Three pushes of the button and you're guaranteed a clean seat. Very unique.

Down the road from our bar, the top storey fell out of this house. The Creperie downstairs was not impressed, or was it???

Finally, Peter found the French solution to getting water for your Pastis.

Invasion beaches II

On the clifftops above Arromanches

German observation post

Pete.

The end of a long, hot day!

Invasion beaches I

Above Omaha beach

The American cemetery at Omaha

German gun emplacement on the cliffs near Arromanches

Arromanches

Sections of the artificial 'Mulberry' harbours that were towed across from England for the Invasion.

Anne overlooking Arromanches

Three of us raising Australia's reputation, lunching on the promenade in Arromanches. This was immediately outside the flashest restaurant in town, and we only had three glasses, so I had to drink from the bottle (not shown)

At the Laverie

We've now been on the road for over two weeks, and the atmosphere in the car is becoming remarkable - well, some are making remarks - so ....

... we went to the laverie in Villers-Bocage. Here we are, arriving, .....

and here we are, carrying the remarkable clothes in ..........

and here we are, doing the washing. The locals thought we were a little mad.