Dieppe week 2

Monday, 10th June
Today was a cricket day, so Bob watched it on the laptop, but after the game ended, we went for a drive into town. Found a Lidl shop. It is very similar to the Aldi we know in Australia, and it is fairly easy to get to from where we are.
We make our way back to the maintain area, and look for a coffee place that is open, find one and then we take a walk to the Jetty. It is a very windy day, and quite cool. We watch a couple of yatchs come in and notice them rolling a bit with the wind and the swell. The walk along the Jetty finds it is very different to other ones we have seen. There is a lot of concrete and structures with holes in the walls, and am unsure what it is all about, maybe somethimg to do with the bad weather they have.
When we head for our unit, we are delayed as the road has been closed due to the bridge being not there. It has been moved so as to open the channel for some boats to go out and a hatch to come onto the marina. After about 15 mins we are on our merry way again.

Tuesday, 11th June
Today, we head off to explore the coast line where D Day happened. What an interesting day it has been. First stop was Piont du Hop. The landing place where troops climbed the walls of the beaches with ladders and ropes. There were wonderful monuments in memory of those who had fallen, but when one sees the reality of what they were being sent to try and achieve, it was crazy. But a job had to be done. So many lives lost, for peace. So many holes in the ground from where bombs exploded, gets one thinking.
Next is Utah beach, and this time, there is sand, but again, many lives lost, and when you look to see what they had to try and do, it was again crazy. I am sure the Germans would have thought it also. But I got to go onto one of the bunkers, and look out at where all the action would have happened.
Next place is Saint-Mere-Eglise. The place where the paratroopers were dropped. We saw the Chappell where the paratrooper landed and was stuck there for some time. A replica of the paratrooper uses been made and put there in memory.
We go on to Cherbourge, and have a quick look, then head back to where we are staying tonight. Bayeux. This was randomly picked by Bob yesterday, when we were making the plans. WOW, what a place this is. A huge church, and the home of the Bayeux Tapistery. I never knew it existed. This tapestry is almost 1000 years old, and is 70 meters  long. It really does my head in to think that some one some where made this, but also, it has been preserved and kept for all that time. It is the story of William the conqueror and his battle with the Saxons. All in yarn and linen. Just amazing.

Wednesday 12th June
We explore more of the coast line, Omaha beach, Arromanches-les-Bains, and Ouistreham. Went through the museum at Arromanches, and learnt so much about what happened way back then.  How the temporary harbour was built, and even now there are still pieces of it there. Oistraham ( sword beach ) we saw the Pegasus bridge, the bridge that was fought over. Amazing history.  Even though Australia was not involved here,  it was very interesting.
I got brave today, and drove the car. This one is a manual, so not only am I in a car driving on the wrong side of the road, on the left hand side of the car, but now I have to deal with three peddles. And skinny roads.  Lots of the villages are small,  but the houses are built maybe 1.5 meters away from the road, and the road has only enough space for a parked car, and a moving one. Very close encounters at times. But no one was mamed and the car didnt get any bruises. So a great outcome for all.


Thursday 13th and friday 14th June.
Rest days. Bob has sore back. We are looking for chiropractor. It is somewhat tricky when there is a slight language difference. An appointment was made for Monday,  but not in Dieppe.

Saturday 15th June
Vinnie birthday.
Called Vinnie for his birthday, he has been waiting for a couple of weeks to open his present that I sent him.  A quiet day, I walked into town, and got a couple of things.  The markets were on,  and there was a lot of people about.

Sunday 16th June
Despite Bob's very sore back, we went for a drive to a little coastal place called Saint-Valéry-en-Caux. It was very quite, and the beach here was still pebbles, although, some of the pebbles were a little larger than pebbles. There was fish mongers set up on the side of the road, and lots of seagulls. As we took a little stroll to the other side of the town, our walk was halted for 15 mins while the bridge was lifted and one boat came into the marina, and one left. Was interesting watching the road being lifted up. Found somewhere to have lunch, then made our way back to the unit.