On the road (2) – beaches, castles and chateaux COMPLETED IN THIS FORUM - Page 6 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Saturday 5 June – part four: soldiers, memorials and a surprise for the D-Day weekend
From there, it was back on the road, although it took us a while to find the right road to get out of Rouen. Just as we did, we spotted a garage and decided we’d better fill up, as we were getting low. I was very glad we’d waited, as the price per litre here was just €1.22 ($1.46), compared to the €1.28 ($1.54) we’d seen on the motorway. I can tell you with the strength of the pound against the Euro (heck, it has to be strong against something, as it certainly isn’t strong against the dollar right now : ), that worked out to some very cheap diesel, compared to what we’d pay at home. I appreciate that, to most of you reading this, this will sound ridiculously expensive, but at least you get to see how life is on the other side of the pond as far as fuel prices go...
Leaving Rouen
We set off again, this time heading further into Normandy and towards the famed Normandy beaches that played such a crucial role in World War II. As we drove along, we saw lots more moo, moos and even mooeys on the way and I have to confess that I fell in love with the beautiful all white cows that we regularly saw on our journey there.
On the outskirts of Caen
We soon found our way to Sword Beach, to give its D-Day name, and my goodness, this place was packed. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, it was a boiling hot day and the sun really was blazing down by now. This wasn’t something that had entered my equations on today, as the forecast had never been for weather this hot, but of course, and perfectly naturally, everyone had headed for the beach to enjoy the sunshine. We went past plenty of parking spaces, all completely full.
As we did, we saw lots of soldiers heading somewhere, coming along the road towards us. It was just the first of many reminders that it was D-Day weekend and it truly did prove to be a wonderful time of year to visit this area.
A little further down the road, we saw some flags and we quickly learnt that lots of flags meant that there was a war memorial nearby. Fortunately, our parking luck continued, and although the lot nearby was full when we entered, first we spotted one couple leaving, then another. Within a couple of minutes, literally about four or five cars had left. Was it something we said?
As we arrived, we saw some British troops heading somewhere, proudly carrying the Union flag, which was a great sight to see.
We settled down to eat our lunch in the car, as it was much, much cooler in there than outside. We’d bought sandwiches the night before at a local supermarket and brought them with us and that turned out to be a fine lunch and kept us going nicely.
We then headed out to explore the memorial here. It was a beautiful one and I was amazed by the fact that people did treat it with reverence, despite the fact that we could hear holidaymakers on the beach right by us, having a great time. Everyone who came in here was respectful and quiet, which was so good to see.
Just as we finished exploring it and were about to move down to get some photos of the beach, I heard a sound in the air and looked up. There was a plane heading towards us, which Mark reliably informed me was a set of C130 Hercules. They circled a couple of times, before heading off, but we would be seeing them again in the afternoon...
We wandered down on to the packed beach to get some photos. Both of us stood there, saying that it was almost impossible to imagine what it must have been like on D-Day, especially seeing it so busy on a day like today. There were car ferries heading into the port and plenty of people enjoying the sun and the sea.
Sadly the only downside was a group of French men, who looked like they were on a hen weekend. One peeled off his top and asked us to take photos of him. I ignored him and so did Mark. Mark had been up on some nearby dunes taking some photos, and let’s just say that the guys found a different use for them. I’m sure there were probably toilets around somewhere, but they didn’t take the time to look for them. You get the idea...
Sadly the only downside was a group of French men, who looked like they were on a hen weekend. One peeled off his top and asked us to take photos of him. I ignored him and so did Mark. Mark had been up on some nearby dunes taking some photos, and let’s just say that the guys found a different use for them. I’m sure there were probably toilets around somewhere, but they didn’t take the time to look for them. You get the idea...
Why do people have to be so disrespectful and embarrassing sometimes? I just don't understand it.
Anyway, I'm loving the photos and can't wait to read more about the history. I understand what you mean about finding it impossible to imagine how it really was during WWII. When we go to Gettysburg to see the Civil War battlefields it's hard to believe there was so much death and fighting going on.
I sure did miss alot in just a few days but all caught up now. When you take the train thru the channel do you stay in your car?
I can't wait to see more photos - as I mentioned before I took a very simiar trip a few years back and you are bring back so many memories.
I assume this beach and memorial was for the British landing and invasion? I remember seeing the American landing and noticed how rocky it was not a "beach" like I'm used to. I kept thinking "why on earth did they CHOOSE this location?"
I don't think I've ever seen an all white cow before. Wow!
It's hard to imagine D-Day on such a beautiful beach. I guess it's pictured differently in my head. And not with people, blankets and umbrellas. I bet it was a bit emotional to see those men in uniform with the flag, especially knowing why they were there on that particular date. Made me choke up a bit just reading it!
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I sure did miss alot in just a few days but all caught up now. When you take the train thru the channel do you stay in your car?
I can't wait to see more photos - as I mentioned before I took a very simiar trip a few years back and you are bring back so many memories.
I assume this beach and memorial was for the British landing and invasion? I remember seeing the American landing and noticed how rocky it was not a "beach" like I'm used to. I kept thinking "why on earth did they CHOOSE this location?"
you stay in your car during the 35 minute trip. You can get out and use the restrooms if you like, but there's nothing else to do.
And yes this was for one of the British landings. Mind you, the American beach we saw (Omaha) was sandy as well...
Saturday 5 June – part five: something to make you feel really proud!
We headed back to the car and drove a little further along the coast. Basically the way it worked for the next couple of hours was when we saw something that we liked the look of, we’d stop and take some photos of it. There were so many memorials to see as well. Almost every single village we went through had some form of memorial to the events of 6 June 1944. And it was so heartening to see flags up everywhere, not just at memorials, but at people’s houses as well. We saw plenty of Union flags and a fair few Canadian and American flags, alongside the French tricolour. That was something I hadn’t expected to see, and it was such a pleasant surprise. It made us feel so proud of the generations that had come before us and had risked, and in some cases sacrificed, their lives to give freedom to this country.
After driving through a couple of villages, this was the next memorial we came to, which was by the side of a road.
While we stood there, the Hercules circled us once again.
As we headed back to the car, we saw the first of a set of Second World War jeeps go flying by us. We’d be seeing many more of those before the day was over, but we weren’t to know that at the time.
We headed through some more villages and made it to the start of Juno Beach, the next beach along the coast. At the first point we came to, there was no sign of any memorials, although if you looked along the beach, you could see signs of how things were in 1944.
We drove a bit further along and found this memorial from this village. This was a pretty quiet area of the beach, as you can see.
It was back on the road and we soon found the next memorial, this one paying tribute to the British and Canadian forces who landed here. There was even still one of the gun battlements, still in place, which was fascinating to see.
Next: an artificial harbour from the Second World War
Cheryl I am at a loss of words at all the sights you are seeing, especially during WWII. Wonderful pictures. How disrespectful of those guys using the beach for a public restroom(gross). I would have been fumed seeing that especially if there were young children around. That just disgusts
me.
I am loving this TR of yours. More please.
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: ), that worked out to some very cheap diesel, compared to what we’d pay at home. 
I appreciate that, to most of you reading this, this will sound ridiculously expensive, but at least you get to see how life is on the other side of the pond as far as fuel prices go... 
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I bet it was a bit emotional to see those men in uniform with the flag, especially knowing why they were there on that particular date. Made me choke up a bit just reading it!
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