Normandy, France



Courtyard of our 17th Century hotel in Rouen

Restaurant were we finally had a good French meal!

Cathedrale Notre-Dame in Rouen

Rouen is where Joan of Arc was imprisoned and burnt at the stake

Mon Dieu!  We headed out for dinner last night about 6:30 only to find the places we'd seen during the afternoon now closed or only serving drinks and snacks!  We soon realized there were other restuarants that opened at 7pm for dinner and went on to have an awesome four course dinner.  Could barely walk back to the hotel we were so full.  Scallops for starter, main course (steak for me, fish for Denis) then 5 different types of cheese with bread and a creme bruille for dessert!  And of course some lovely French wine to wash it all down.

Breakfast this morning was the usual coffee and croissant.  (Mum - Denis will be after a good fry up when we're home!)

Train to Caen was uneventful although for some reason almost 30 minutes late even though we left on time??  Picked up the rental car and after playing with the GPS for a bit we were on the way to our B&B, La Maugerie, in St Vigor Des Monts.  It's a beautiful 300 year old farm house with stunning view of the countryside.  Our hosts, Liz and Mark are from New Castle and moved here to France about 4 years ago.  Super nice people!  We went for a long walk through the winding roads and had a beer at the local bar.  Funny enough we met another English couple there who retired to France after having their home broken into  for the 3rd time!  Baraba and Tom (like in The Good Life, an English TV Show)

Liz cooked us an excellent meal which we are now trying to digest. :)  Tomorrow we're off to the landing beaches.  Denis is studying the map right now and planning our route!

Having problems uploaded pictures again today...will try again tomorrow.

Walking the Normandy countryside



View from B&B bedroom window