We were on the go all day yesterday in Normandy, exploring Sword Beach and appreciating the military feat and sacrifice by so many that made D-Day a success. Being here now, seeing the signs saying “Let us never forget,” and knowing that back home many are inching towards repeating this past is just…
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We are here at the site of the storming of the beach just two weeks after the 80th anniversary, yet I get the sense that the spirit you feel walking through the town exists year round.
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The long walk down to the shore is lined by first hand accounts of survivors of that day – French, English, American, Canadian… all now nearly 100 years old or thereabout. Amir commented that by the next milestone anniversary, there likely may not be any survivors left. Historical events have different meaning when you can speak to actual survivors or even just those who lived through the era. I try to imagine that beach. What it took to step off those boats, watching men fall to the sand, and still stepping forward. Even with all respect given to their accounts, I know it was 100 times worse.
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Ale had the day off yesterday and spent the day exploring a Honfleur and the beach. We caught up with her for dinner at Le Spot, a casual restaurant in the sand, with blue and white decor, romance novel cover-worthy waiters, and an assortment of tapas and zesty drinks.
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Somehow the kids talked us into a quick swim at 8pm when we arrived home. Because we are in Northern France, it stays light until after 10pm. It was a little too chilly for my liking – so bath time was a convenient excuse. I edited a few photos, threw them up on Instagram and crashed.
Day 8
This morning Amir ran out to the fish monger to get a selection of fresh catch for dinner tonight. The last two days we’ve eyed up the fresh seafood in the markets, but have waited until too late in the day to have best pick. Our house has two outside grills, and he plans to make the most of them.
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This morning we drove into Honfleur to visit the Naturospace Garden, home to exotic butterflies, tropical birds and flowers.
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Spend the money and buy a few packs of fish food, whether you have little ones with you or not. The koi are huge and have big personalities, but only if you bribe them.
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At Naturospace, don’t just look straight ahead or at the butterflies dancing around you. Look up to see a wide variety of colorful birds, and as #1BigSister reminded me from our Lewis Ginter butterfly visits, look down as well to ensure you don’t squish anyone.
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We walked just a block to have lunch at Amore Mio as the kids were craving pizza, and I just wanted some atmosphere. I ordered the truffle and boratta pizza, while Ale and Amir both picked a pizza with spicy sausage and Gorgonzola.
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After lunch we circled back to a special church we first saw online when planning our trip and again on our side car tour, Église Sainte-Catherine, one of the rare European churches built entirely of wood. Its oldest parts date to the mid 15th century when townsmen, who were fishermen not architects, didn’t know how to build a traditional cathedral ceiling.using the techniques they knew, they created a ceiling from two upside down ships. They were concerned the wood might not support the weight of the church bell, so they erected a separate bell tower that is now one of the highest points in Honfleur, attracting frequent lightening strikes.
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Back at the house, most of the crew went swimming while Amir prepped the fresh fish for the grill. I bought a tiny bug house with a magnifying glass at the Naturosphere gift shop which upon arrival home had many a budding David Attenborough ready to hunt for friends.
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First I found a plump earthworm… but Ale had to outdo me and capture a bumble bee who would suck nectar from flowers then try to escape its new little world. The question arose, “Who is going to let him go?” to which I had an interesting immediate answer: “the one who caught him.”
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We enjoyed dinner on the back veranda, a fish new to us all called “bar,” mackerel, sausages and an assortment of cheeses and fresh strawberries. Oh and wine.
Tomorrow is our last day here. In true vacation mode, I have no idea what day of the week it is but do know I have a few days off after we get back to recover.
~Steph