France 2012, Day sixteen, Normandy

Day sixteen, Sep 16th 2012

We have driven around the Boulevard périphérique de Caen (Caen ring road) many times but never visited Caen. Today we would put that right.

On the way to Caen we came across a War Cemetery at Tilly-sur-Seulles and pulled over to pay our respects. There were a lot of graves from the DLI (Durham Light Infantry), my granddads old regiment.  I signed the book of condolences and I found it to be a very emotional experience.

 

Planned to park near the castle next to the marina but when we arrived, the road to the car park was closed for a market. So we parked on the road right next to the castle. Only paid for a couple of hours though, it was very sunny and we didn't want to waste the day walking around shops etc.

 

We set off to walk the top of the castle walls, but there is only a short section open to the public, and we were soon back down. There are some very good views over the city from up there though.  Struggled to find the toilets (no signs) and then got directions to two of them.

After walking around the inside of the castle we left via a different gate and came out close to the car.

 

From Caen we drove to Pegasus Bridge, we had visited last year but we took Mick and Bren for a look this time. As last time we parked close to the museum where the old bridge is and walked over to the new bridge.

The difference this year was we visited the pub on the opposite side or the road this time, the Café Gondrée.  Café Gondrée was the first house to be liberated during D-Day.

Mick and I went in for a beer and to take some photos, but the old lady behind the bar stopped us and pointed out the No Photos sign on the wall.   I found this to be very strange.   I assume the old lady was Arlette Gondrée, who now runs Café Gondrée and was a small child living in the home when it was liberated.   I have read many unflattering reports about her being very rude to visitors, well she didn't make us feel welcome.  If we ever come back, I will use the other bar again, that one also had toilets. The one good thing was, I got a new beer and it wasn't bad.

 

Next we drove to Ouistreham, it was very busy, it was a Sunday and I should have expected it but that didn't help us get parked.   After a quick visit to Le Grand Bunker, a German command post for the Atlantic Wall, now a museum and a short drive along the sea front, We set off back to the campsite, I wanted to time the drive, as we would have to do it early on the morning in two days time, to catch the ferry.

Day fifteen or Day seventeen