Bayeux and Beaches of Normandy

This is a picture of a window in Mont St. Michel that I thought was pretty.

We got to Bayeux in the afternoon and our first order of the day was to do some laundry. We did that and walked around the city for a while. We went to the Trou Normond for dinner. The tables were inside halved-cider barrels. We had interesting entrees (the appetizer), not really sure what they were, but they were tasty. Mine was in a pastry with Camembert sauce. Our plats (main course) were mignon de porc (pork tenderloin), and a fish that was out of this world. They served the potatoes sliced thin like my Mom used to make. Creme brulee and apple tart was dessert.

The next day, we went to see the Bayeux Tapestry. It dates from the 1077 and depicts the Battle of Hastings, where William the Conquerer beat out Edward for control of England and Normandy. I thought it would be like a huge wall hanging but it is more like an incredibly long table runner.

We also went to the Cathedral.

The next day we went to the Beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetery. 6 June 1944 otherwise known as D-Day was when the American, Canadian, British and other forces landed on French soil to stop the Germans. It was very awe-inspiring and really made me appreciate what our military does for us. Omaha Beach, Pont du Hoc, and Utah Beach were especially sacred. The cemetery is incredible. B and I have visited Arlington Cemetery, the Punchbowl in Hawaii, and now this. Even as I write, tears come to my eyes as I think about being there.

For dinner, we traveled into Bayeux for dinner on the Rue de Cuisiniers at the le Pommier Restaurant. Wow and Yum barely touch what we ate for dinner. Again we had a pork and fish dinner with entrees of farmer's salad with goat cheese in pastry and pate de foie gras. The fish was two different fish loins braided together in a yummy sauce. The pork was in a gravy and was so tender it melted in your mouth. Dessert was Chocolate 3 Ways: Hot, Cold, and Frozen and Apple Pie a la mode. It was Apple Heaven more like it. And the chocolate was a hot cake with hot melted fudge inside with chocolate mousse sauce and ice cream. We were very happy.

Today our drive took us back into Paris to the airport. Nothing spectacular to report. We fly home tomorrow. We are very grateful we made the trip, B is grateful to have finished his ride, and we are looking forward to heading home. We miss our children and our dogs.

Brittany and Normandy

From Paris, B and I traveled to Chartres to see the Cathedral. It was very beautiful and is famous for its stained glass windows, in particular, the blue color. Our trusty Lola (GPS Tomtom) navigated us to the parking area without much trouble.

They are currently working on some renovations and cleaning and it is amazing the difference between the cleaned ceilings and the regular ones. I guess 1000 years of candles can do that to a cathedral.

Our next destination was Fougéres which was one of the control stops for B's ride. He thought the castle, the cathedral, and walled city was very beautiful and wanted me to see it. the earliest sections date from the 800's but most of the castle was built by the Normans during the 11th and 12th centuries.

While we were in Fougeres, B was troubled with the flu. We slept in and enjoyed the quite day. We ate crepes at the creperie and then had dinner at our hotel. The next day, we drove to the Abbaye du Mont St. Michel. It is essentially out on an island, with a causeway that has been built for tourists. It has very steep and narrow streets, and dates to the 9th century.

Our next stop was Bayeaux which was one of the first French towns liberated by the Americans after D-Day (6 June 1944).

We will always have Paris

B and I came to Paris to do a few things:

sightsee, eat good food,

and for B, to ride 1200k in the Paris-Brest-Paris 2011 Randonneur

(about 125 miles per 200k so about 750 miles).

So far, we've seen eaten some great food ("Marie, the baguettes").

We've eaten at La Marina twice and

had creme brulee both times.

The first time, I had the spaghetti bolognese,

and B had the penne with chicken.

The next time, I had the spaghetti bolognese

and B had the bouef something or other.

I am pretty much in love with the jabon de Paris sandwich

(ham -- simple but so tasty).

For breakfast, we've had yogurt with fruit,

soft boiled eggs (make your own),

hot chocolat (Note to self: watch the movie Chocolat again)

fromages, plain croissants,

chocolat croissants, and more.

We've seen some incredible sights:

Eiffel Tower

Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris

Notice the flying buttresses architecture.

I've always wanted to see a flying buttress!

One of the rose stained-glass windows.

About 5000 people are riding in the Randonneur.

We've met people from New Jersey, Seattle, Boston, Tokyo, Philippines, Ohio, and Florida.

This is the 6 pm Start Time.

Not the best picture but lots and lots of bikes.

B left at 9 pm Sunday.

He will ride to Loudeac, France

where he will rest

and then will continue on to Brest,

return to Loudeac where he will rest again,

and then back to Paris.

I expect him sometime on Thursday.

Sisters

The Gallegos Girls

(also known as Mrs. Brown's lovely daughters)

M: oldest, full of wisdom and love, shopper extraordinaire

M: next oldest, smart, strong, an excellent teacher

M: middle sis, funny, full of love and sunshine, very insightful

B: one up from the youngest, very organized, talented, sophisticated, caring

C: youngest, appreciative for her family, looks up to her sisters' examples, happy

We are so different and yet, in so many ways, the same.

We have wonderful parents

and wonderful families of our own.

We've tried really hard to stay connected

and in this busy world, it is not always easy to do.

I think we have been supportive of each other

in happy times

and in times of trial,

and I know there will be more

happy times

and trials

in the coming days.

The best thing about having great sisters

is knowing there is always a friend

to help or to talk to or to have fun with.

We have other friends in our lives,

but I'm always grateful I have my sisters.

New Month = New Books

Remember when I said I got a "bag-o-books?"

Well, the reading has been happening and so far, so good.

Last two that I read:

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

(again to get ready for Book Club)

and

The Known World by Edward P. Jones

(not quite finished but enjoying it thus far)

Others on the List:

The Furies by John Jakes (no)

Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett (okay)

Hope is the Thing With Feathers by Christopher Cokinos (educational)

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace (interesting)

I have been trying to "get back in shape."

It seems to be my never-ending quest.

I will do really well by walking the dogs everyday and riding my bike three times a week and then ride in a 50-miler or go on a big ride with Bob and then . . .

nothing for a few weeks.

I did walk the dogs up north but it wasn't quite the same as going up The Hill.

I started back on The Hill

(Webb Hill for those who might not know its more benevolent name)

this week.

It is hard especially because it is almost 100 degrees by 8:00 am.

Tried getting up earlier but not doing so well on that.

Buddy and Buster have been good companions

as my other walking partner is out of town.

I had to carry Buster part of the way today because he was hot.

There was a high school cross-country team working out on The Hill,

by running up to the gate and back 4 or 6 times.

And did I say running?

Ya, they quickly passed by me.

I did continue past them at the gate, and headed to the top

where I have started doing

some mild (emphasis on mild)

weight lifting:

sit-ups,

and various arm lifts

to work the bicep, tricep, and shoulders using rocks as weights.

It also gives Bud and Bus some time to rest in the shade.

I've worked on laundry, weeding, fertilizing, spraying weeds,

more laundry, visiting, writing,

transcribing, grocery shopping, cleaning,

quilting, more quilting, and reading.

It has been a nice week of getting things done.

I've done some swimming too. Will probably do it again today. :)