Omaha and Gold

June 19-21

We stayed in a B&B near Saint Lo run by an English couple. The husband was not unlike Basil Fawlty. An attitude of “Why are you spoiling my quiet afternoon by coming here? Oh well, you’re here now, so I suppose I should find you a room.”

From there to a B&B just inland from Omaha beach run by a wonderfully friendly and generous French woman. She spoke almost no English so we had lots of practice with our dodgy French, and seemed to get by with lots of laughter on both sides.

We visited the Overlord museum, which was excellent – informative, balanced, respectful. Then to Omaha itself.

Yesterday we biked to a B&B just up the hill from Arromanches and Gold beach. We were warned by our friendly host, between long drags on his cigarette, that the hill back up from Arromanches was very steep and tough if on bikes. But in the event it was un morceau de gateau for us, having become used to really steep hills with loaded bikes.

Today we visited the museums and memorials in Arromanches. Again, very well presented and informative. Construction of the Mulberry harbour particularly fascinating.

Omaha beach

Soggy bike trail

Further along Omaha

Back on the road

Note the leek.

Bayeux

Arromanches and Gold beach in the background.

Canadian flag with Phoenix pontoons still on the beach in the background.

A 75-year study in contrasts.

Our B&B

M’s favourite photo that she took from our trip so far. Poppies. A touching time of year for this visit.