There was a change for this trip, we were going with Airbnb and staying in an apartment and all for about the same price as using campsites. The cost of the whole holliday was about the same as the one earlier in the year and again we were using the tunnel to get to France.
Sat 18th Aug to Sat 25th of Aug
Day One, Saturday 18th August
As with the last few trips to France we were going overnight, so we actually set off at about one in the morning. Off to pick up Ralph first, then off to get Amber, then onto the tunnel and onto the train before eight.
In France all was going well (except for missing a change of motorway and having to double back), until we got to the two crossings over the river Seine. Going our way the road was blocked with traffic hardly moving, we made the decision to turn off and head for the other crossing further up river. It didn't take long at all and it was very quiet that way and I had been wanting to see the Pont de Tancarville for some time.
We were still early, so we drove along the coast from Deauville towards Houlgate but we still arrived in Port Guillaume too soon. We Rang the owners from Airbnb but as they were away, we got a French woman that spoke no English at all and decided we would just wait until we were due. We drove off to the supermarket and got some food and things (beer) for the first couple of days, then went for a drink on the marina, until the time was right.
At four o'clock we got in to our apartment (see above), we parked below and went up in the lift with all our gear and it was very nice. We got settled in, blew up the new air bed we had for Ralph and then had a couple of beers on the balcony. We had fantastic views from the room looking over the marina one way and out to sea the other way.
Pretty soon it was seven, and I started a BBQ for tea, not bad with the views we had, then when it started to get dark, we went in and watched a film on Ralph's big iPad.
Day Two, Sunday 19th August
Today was our forty sixth wedding anniversary.
It was early afternoon when we set off for a walk to Cabourg, we left by the other side of the apartments along the river La Dives to the footbridge, then over to the sea front.
After a long walk along the seafront, we wandered into town, had a beer then walked a bit further and had another one, it was our anniversary. In town it was very busy but it was a Sunday and I think everyone was out for a walk in the sun.
We took our time wandering back towards the apartment and stopped on the footbridge to watch the jet skiers coming in. There was even a girl using jet boots, or at least learning how to do it.
From there we eventually wandered off to the bars close to our place, were we eventually went for a pizza and a beer.
Then it was back to the apartment and watched another film.
Day Three, Munday 20th August
Today it was off for a drive to see Pegasus Bridge, Me and Dot have been many times before but Ralph and Amber have not. We parked up near the museum and wandered over to the bridge, we had a good look around the place then moved on.
The next place we stopped was, Luc-sur-Mer were we had a walk along the beach and along the pier. We then moved on to Saint Aubin sur Mer, were we had another walk.
From there we drove back towards Port Guillaume but stopped at a little bar Le Gallia, just next to the railway line. We all had a beer (Amber had a cola) in there and watched the trains go by.
From there we drove back to the apartment and I did us all food, before watching another film that night.
Day Four, Tuesday 21st August
Today we had a walk into Houlgate, the lock gates were closed, so it was shorter for us to walk. We walked along the side of the railway next to the river, so we were also walking by the river all the way into Houlgate. As we were walking along, a train came by and it was very close.
In Houlgate wa had a good walk around and then settled outside a bar restaurant, the waiter came out and said the seats were for people eating only. We moved on and I am sure this happened once before at the same place a few years back.
Eventually we got a drink in a tabak before we set off back to our place. We did pop into the train station and thought about getting the train back but decided against it. We wandered back to Port Guillaume were the others all had an ice cream, I waited and had a beer in the next pub we came to. La Voile Rouge was the place we popped into on the first day and that is were I got my beer.
From there we walked back around to our place via the river, the way we had been on the second day. Back at the apartment the lock gates were opening again.
Then it was the same as the last few days, drank on the balcony before a film at night.
Day Five, Wednesday 22nd August
Up early and watched the boat crane lift a boat off the back of a wagon and place it on stands in the yard. Anyway today we drove to Bayeux for the day out. We parked up on the ring road and walked into the town center.
When we got to the cathedral the land train was just about to set off, so we jumped on for the tour. Only trouble was a group of Italians got on (quite a lot of them actually) and made a noise all the way round. I do not know why they even got on, because they never once looked out at anything we were passing and they even started singing.
After the trip we went to look for dinner and wandered into the Tapestry Garden, an open air cafe/restaurant. The Bayeux Tapestry entrance was just outside so after some food and a drink, that is were we went next.
There is no photography allowed of the Tapestry so I have no photos of our visit. It is the second time Me and Dot have been but it was new for the other two and it is fairly well done how they do it. The only thing I didn't remember is that the tapestry isn't just about the Battle of Hastings, its the story of William and of how he became king of England. The Battle of Hastings is just the last few feet of the tapestry the rest is all the build up.
From there we had a wander round the shops and had a good look around Bayeux before setting off back to Cabourg. Once back we did the same as usual, we had a drink at the little bar Le Gallia, before going back to the apartment for food and a film. By the way Bayeur is one of my favorite places.
Day Six, Thursday 23rd August
Today was another day out and we headed north along the coast to Honfleur, we parked up near the old lighthouse and walked in to the center. Although we did stop just outside the town to get a photo of another lighthouse.
In Honfleur we had a good walk about, passed all the restaurants serving food outside and around the many shops, We even found a shop selling great sandwiches so got our lunch in there, I say sandwiches but they were big baguettes as usual in France.
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As we got ready to leave it started to rain, it wasn't bad but it was damp. So we just headed back to the room. We did end up in the little bar Le Gallia first, but had to sit inside as the outside it was all wet.
Day Seven, Friday 24th August
I thought we would just have a day locally but the others wanted to go for a drive, so we set off for Utah Beach, more of the D Day landing beaches. It was quite a long drive but didn't take too long on the motorways.
After a walk around the beach and a look at the relics, we moved on to drive back towards our apartment. We did go via some of the other D Day beaches, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.
Back in Cabourg we had our final drinks and supper we had to be up early tomorrow to go home.
Day Eight, Saturday 25th August
We got up early, tidied up and phoned to french lady to say we were ready to go, only she could not get there for an hour, in the end she told us to go and leave the keys in the apartment.
The drive back was pretty uneventful, when we got to the tunnel we were told we were early and we could pay to go now or park up and wait. We parked up but as we got out to go in the terminal we were told to get the next train. So we could have paid extra to go on this train but in the end didn't have to.
