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Sunday, March 9'Th
I’m
leaving Rouen at 11 in rainy weather, on a small train to Caen, where I
change for another one to Bayeux.
In
Bayeux I check in at Hotel Tardiff, a very fine place in the
city-center. My room is huge – almost like an apartment. I have only
booked a small room, but because of an reservation-error I’ll have to
settle with this one for a few days.
Then
it’s time to go and have a look at the sight of Bayeux – the Bayeux
tapestry. It’s a 70 m long tapestry telling the story of William the
Emperor and his trip to Normandy between 1066 and 1082. You’ll get an
audio-guide at the entrance that tells the whole story.
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The
rest of the day is a little more sightseeing in Bayuex. That will be the
Notre Dame Cathedral from the 13’Th century. Some kind of scout-service
has just finished, so the place is full of young scouts.
The
rest of Bayuex is a sleepy tourist-town. Today it’s more sleepy than
tourist. That’s mainly because it’s a Sunday outside season. This also
makes it hard to find a decent place for dinner, but finally I succeed. |
Monday, March 10’Th
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”It’s
been raining before – it’s been cold before – and it’s been windy
before, but never all three things at the same time” was the welcome
from the guide at Battlebus on today’s trip to the British
invasion-coast. We were only 4 on board today’s tour. That was me and 3
patriotic Englishmen. British Highlights Tour was the name, and it took
us to the British invasion-coast at Sword and Gold.
Among
all the places we went to was the British cemetery at Ranville and the
Pegasus-bridge across River Orne, which was a major strategic point. The
bridge was taken by a very few troopers, who landed in 3 gliders less
than 50 m. from the German troops, who didn’t notice before it was to
late. Now there’s a museum at the place, which we visit as well.
Then we
head on for Sword Beach. It’s hard to see the beach today, because it’s
so windy and the tide is high, so the water level is almost at the road.
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Then we cross the Canadian sector Juno before we reach Gold Beach. This
was the second British sector. The guide Dale is telling more British
hero-stories. Among other things we visit the backyard of a local
farmer, where a special heroic performance was made. Finally we reach
Arromanches, where the British built an artificial harbour, where you
still can see the remains.
The
final stop is at the German defence-positions at Longues-Sur-Mer. Here
they have bunkers overlooking the beach.
This
has been a fantastic trip. 9 hours of intense sightseeing and
information, in windy and rainy condition. But it has been so
interesting, that you’ve almost forget the terrible weather. |
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Tuesday,
March 11’Th
It’s
another day with rain, storm and Battlebus. This time it’s together with
7 Canadians on the American Highlight Tour. First stop is Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
This was the first town to be liberated by American paratroopers. On the
top of the church there’s a replica of a paratrooper hanging from the
tower. That’s a bit bizarre to my opinion. We get to hear the story, see
the church and the museum nearby.
Then
it’s on to another church. It worked as a field hospital. The guide can
tell you why there still are marks on the benches. That’s from the blood
of the soldiers. There are marks on all benches. The church was used by
both sides at the same time.
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Then
it’s on to Utah Beach. The guide draws the front with a stick in the
sand, while the audience is soaked in water. Now it’s further on to
Pointe-de-Hoc, where the rain has stopped. Pointe-de-Hoc was a very
strategic important place, which was taken by American rangers before
the actual invasion.
Next
stop is Omaha Beach. This was the place where everything went wrong.
About 4.000 soldiers died here.
Last
stop is the American cemetery at Colleville. 9.000 people is buried
here.
Battlebus is back in Bayeux at 5. It’s been another day full of
impressions. |
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Wednesday, March 12’Th
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I have
given myself a resting-day after 2 days on Battlebus.
So today is just walking around the town of Bayuex. The morning is spent
at the invasion-museum in Bayuex. These museums are clustered all over
the area. This one is nice. Especially I like all the photos from D-day
and the time after.
Second
tour is another walk around the city. It’s easy to get around. No maps
are needed. I end at the British cemetery in Bayeux. This is the largest
British cemetery in the area. 4.000 people are buried here.
My
final Bayeux dinner is at a nice restaurant. Even though half of the
restaurants are closed because we are out of season, there’s still
plenty to choose from, as long as it is not a Sunday evening.
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To St. Malo |