Picked up the Defender from Cecile’s mum’s house where it had been parked for the weekend, dropped Si off at Ajax n Jezzer’s campsite and set the guidance computer for the Cotentin Peninsula. Staying at Domaine Utah Beach – Le Grand Hard. V nice spot to finish off the holiday.
Palatial room (with private terrace natch) was ready for me when I arrived at two pm and I had time to chill and to rearrange the packing of the car before the lads arrived an hour later. Six weeks into the trip the car did need a bit of tidying up. The dirty washing bag is rammed full now and there was room in my duffel bag to stick some loose things (bottles) in out of the way.
I’m here for one night before catching the ferry. This is partly so that I can spend some time doing the D Day sights and partly cos THG herself won’t be home until Wednesday lunchtime. I have a conf call after breakfast tomorrow and will then mosey along to see the sights.
This afternoon we managed to squeeze in Utah Beach, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc in that order. Hadn’t quite realised how far apart they were. Took a good thirty mins or more to get from one beach to another.
It was all very poignant. You could imagine the sea filled with landing craft and soldiers running ashore with bullets and bombs flying everywhere. It’s only as I’ve got older I’ve been able to appreciate the enormity of the achievement on that day and the bravery of those involved.
There were women sunbathing on Utah. What a contrast between now and 6th June 1944 I thought. A battle was raging all around where I am staying. I am motivated to visit some of the Band of Brothers sites. Brecourt Manoir is very near here as is Sainte Mere Eglise, Sainte Marie du Monte and Carentan. I’m going to visit them all and will use any spare time left to visit the American Cemetery and the Museum in Caen.
My boat is not until eleven pm so I reckon I need to be there around nine which gives me plenty of time to find a Carrefour or similar and stock up on some last min delicacies Francaise. Bit of fromage, vin, Normandy butter, that sort of thing.
Ciao
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Dinner was good. On my bill but didn’t detract from the experience. There was one table laid with just one setting so obviously mine! The restaurant was full of couples. Some male/female but a lot of blokes clearly there for the DDay thing. I overheard a Dutch guy next to me saying “Dick Winters” and someone else on another table saying they were moving on to Bastogne on Thursday. If you know you know. I’ll be following the Easy Company trail tomorrow.
Now back in my room with a cognac. 4 Euros. What’s not to like?