Y2W32 - Normandy
With the holiday season coming to a close and work and school cranking up, I told El that I would do this entry while she did the other. The highlight of the last several days was our quick trip to the Normandy region of France.
Feeling almost an obligation to use the period from December 30th (the day my parents left) to January 5th (first day back to work) to visit a new venue and having visited everything within 4-5 hours drive of our place in Bonn, we decided to stretch our legs a little further by travelling to Northern France.
The cornerstone sites of the trip were the WWII sites along the northern coastline and the historic abbey of Le Mont Saint Michel.
The site of the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach saw the completion of a $30 million visitor center which provides a litany of information in the forms of displays and films. My own research prior to the trip yielded the following interactive website describing the D-Day Invasion and the months that followed leading to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944.
The majesty and solitude of the American cemeteries with their impeccable rows of headstones made up of crosses and stars are unique to any place I have visited. And while I cannot claim a personal connection to those that lie there, as an American there is a bond that can be forged with those that gave their lives for others.
In addition to visiting the cemetery at Omaha Beach, we traveled 8 miles West to Point du Hoc which was the landing site of the U.S. Army Rangers 2nd Battalion. Their landing is dramatically captured in the opening scenes of the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Their landing was the most important and challenging of June 6, 1944. It was so critical because the high cliffs at Point du Hoc provided the German guns clear shots of both Omaha Beach to the East and Utah Beach the West. It was extremely challenging as the U.S. Army Rangers were required to scale the cliffs often on ladders in order to engage the enemy. The highlight for the girls was running through the rugged landscape and exploring old German bunkers – as kids, its probably best for them to remember them as a place of interest and excitement .
The next day at Le Mont Saint Michel was highlighted by clear skies, breathtaking architecture dating back to as early as the 11th century, and some local cuisine. As we pulled up to the island, we stopped to take a picture and Bryn informed us that Mont St. Michel is her home because she is a princess and of course princesses live in castles. Once again, the highlight for our kids did not involve the tour of the abbey, but rather climbing on the rocky perimeter of the island.
As is typical, we end the holiday break tired and ready for the rest and relaxation of school and work.
Feeling almost an obligation to use the period from December 30th (the day my parents left) to January 5th (first day back to work) to visit a new venue and having visited everything within 4-5 hours drive of our place in Bonn, we decided to stretch our legs a little further by travelling to Northern France.
The cornerstone sites of the trip were the WWII sites along the northern coastline and the historic abbey of Le Mont Saint Michel.
The site of the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach saw the completion of a $30 million visitor center which provides a litany of information in the forms of displays and films. My own research prior to the trip yielded the following interactive website describing the D-Day Invasion and the months that followed leading to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944.
The majesty and solitude of the American cemeteries with their impeccable rows of headstones made up of crosses and stars are unique to any place I have visited. And while I cannot claim a personal connection to those that lie there, as an American there is a bond that can be forged with those that gave their lives for others.
In addition to visiting the cemetery at Omaha Beach, we traveled 8 miles West to Point du Hoc which was the landing site of the U.S. Army Rangers 2nd Battalion. Their landing is dramatically captured in the opening scenes of the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Their landing was the most important and challenging of June 6, 1944. It was so critical because the high cliffs at Point du Hoc provided the German guns clear shots of both Omaha Beach to the East and Utah Beach the West. It was extremely challenging as the U.S. Army Rangers were required to scale the cliffs often on ladders in order to engage the enemy. The highlight for the girls was running through the rugged landscape and exploring old German bunkers – as kids, its probably best for them to remember them as a place of interest and excitement .
The hidden gem of our travels was a morning diversion to Bayeux, France just 20km west of Caen (where our hotel was located). There, we viewed a tapestry which was woven nearly 1000 years ago. It is 70 meters in length and chronicles the story of William the Conqueror’s ascension to the throne of England. It was orignally commissioned by the Bishop of the Bayeux cathedral named Odo who was William's half-brother. The cathedral and examples of sections of the tapestry are shown below.
Each of us (apart from Lleyton of course) received and audio guide that took us individually through the story captured on the tapestry. It was surprisingly good fun and Bailey and Avery were particularly interested and remained focused on the story contained in the tapestry throughout. Also can't forget ol' Ike (General Eisenhower). A monument was erected in his honor in Bayeux.
As is typical, we end the holiday break tired and ready for the rest and relaxation of school and work.
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