Normandy trip - Day 1

Day 1 Windsor to Honfleur via the English Channel and the battlefields of the Somme.

Relatively smooth ferry crossing with our car, arriving in France at 1pm. After initializing sat-nav and sticking to the right-hand side of the road we drove to the village of Villers-Bretonneux. This was a quaint surprise as we drove down Rue de Melbourne and stopped to admire the town hall, adorned with kangaroos and the Australian flag flying beside the French. Just outside the village was the Australian National Memorial, a beautiful spot high on a hill surrounded by rolling hills and fields. The white tombstones of hundreds of Australian and allied soldiers are here, as well as all those who were never identified. The cemetery has stood there since 1938 and we were humbled by the respect shown to our fellow countrymen by the French. The gardens were immaculate and there was a peaceful atmosphere. So many young men who died so far from home.

From there we drove the few miles to Le Hamel to a black granite memorial where some trenches of the front line against the Germans were still evident.

Arriving in Honfleur we checked into our hotel, the Cheval Blanc (White Horse). Martin chose this lovely hotel for its location which was right on the harbour. As the sun set we ate a fish dinner, complete with white wine and the apple brandy, Calvados. We strolled around the Vieux basin (Old dock) and James took a ride on the 100 year old carousel. He was thrilled!

Photos are here