Saturday 17th July
Needles to say this morning it is a beautiful sunny day with very little wind, but we have taken our picture of the Mont St Michel and climbed all the stairs in it so really it isn’t worth staying so we are off to the seaside. We have decided to go to Ouisterham otherwise known as “sword beach”, as this is one of the Normandy landing beaches. We have actually been here before so knew where the Aire was and arrived fairly early so had no problem getting in. They have introduced a new machine to pay and it caused us no end of bother until a very nice French couple came and helped us, and phoned the number on the box to complain it wasn’t working. Somebody appeared almost immediately so that was ok. This is right next to the ferry port and as you can see they are very much in evidence when they are in. Fortunately they do not go out very early and we are always up late so they are no bother.
Then it was off with the bikes and a cycle along the prom, by the wide sandy beach.
In the main square they had a tent trying to get people to sign up for the blood donors and outside to grab the interest, a brilliant modern jazz band. We stopped for a while and decided to come back tonight as it appeared from some posters behind them they were going to have even more music later.
Carrying on along the promenade we came to one of the memorials to the Free French Commandos’.
We had run out of brandy and thought we had seen a supermarket as we drove in so decided to cycle to it, having first picked up a map of the area from Tourist Information. The only problem with this was that somebody small and blonde left the map in the van! However we pedalled along a cycle track by the Port and soon found ourselves going along a canal bank. Joan asked after about 7 miles are you sure it’s this way? No I’m not sure but its fun finding out pet, I said.
At about the ten mile mark we came across Pegasus Bridge and had a look around the memorial walk.
We then decided we had probably missed the supermarket by not being on the road, because somebody prefers cycle tracks. Our mum’s didn’t have any stupid kids! So we set off back along the road this time. This road suddenly became her worst nightmare, very busy with a central crash barrier and I realised we had somehow got onto a major road. Most of the cars were doing at least 70 and the small ones blood pressure was at around 270!
We did though come across the supermarket just outside of town, and got the Brandy so that was alright. Later after a meal we decided to walk into the main square and listen to the music but sadly there wasn’t any music , just country and western rubbish being played very badly so we walked down to the beach and along back to the van, enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Sunday 18th July
We are going on a mission to check out a couple of campsites, then onto a little aire at Deauville which is free, and has free electricity and water, which will be nice. What a stroke of luck, as we arrived at the aire which was full, a French chap signalled to us that he was leaving soon, which was really nice of him, so we got on. Next we went into the centre on the bikes taking towels etc. WOW! It is amazing here, I had just said to Joan that it used to be a playground for the rich, but it obviously still is, looking at these boats.
Today is something special and there are a lot of vintage Buggatti’s parked at strategic points plus a superb very old Rolls Royce in first class condition. The whole place just reeks of money, I don’t know much about designers, as those who have seen me dressed will attest, but I do know, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Channel, Hugo Boss etc are not cheap!
The beach was manic and absolutely crowded but it is so big it was not packed. I know that sounds silly but it’s true, all the beaches along here are very wide and you have to walk a bit to get to the actual sea so there is plenty of room for sunbathers.
I think we will stay another night so we can wander into the centre and just look around. Later we watched the slow drag home for all those who had spent the day at the beach, just like bank holiday traffic at home, it looked horrendous and it was boiling hot.
Monday 19th July
We did just that and it really is a nice place to wander around, with a lovely fountain in the centre and lots of beautiful old buildings, as we arrived at the fountain Joan’s face lit up as she saw there was a market on. After a very short time we realised that it would be necessary to arrange a fairly substantial bank loan just for a pot of jam! Still it was fun looking around apparently especially at shoes. I think I may have said it before but I am sure if we took some of these French ladies to Newcastle they would probably have heart attacks at how cheap things are or get serious back trouble carrying all their purchases. Even a small beer is expensive and very small, so it was back to the van for lunch and zwei radler pick up towels etc and down to the beach for the afternoon.
It is soo hot we definitely needed the swim we had and we have just heard from Andy & Carole so we know which way to head tomorrow. As soon as we return from the beach Joan starts baking a smashing cake, eat your heart out Ken! Now she is cooking a lovely chicken dish, wow what did I do right?
I can tell you the chicken was delicious but the cake was fantastic! Goodnight.
5 Days to go and they are coming YIPPEE!!!
Lots of love Bryan & Joan XXXX
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