Thursday:
Thanks McDonalds, the wifi there was good. We figured we’d get some advantage for daughter who seems to keep the local McDonalds afloat. Good for wifi and toilets.
Yes, we walked more than half way over the Pont de Normandie. It’s a long way up (or down, depending on what mood you’re in). We weren’t the only ones who did. Unfortunately the day was very grey and overcast, not good if you want to boast with bright blue skies in photos, but the bridge walk was still impressive. The water below was much smoother than it was yesterday when we got soaked. We saw the same boat below and no one had to move from the bow.
We moved on to a place not too far away, Pont-Audemer, again a pretty little town with half timbered houses with modern, neatly laid out main street and town square complete with fountain. Not sure what they’re for, but there are numerous canals running through the town that give atmosphere to the place.
Back in Honfleur in time for fish soup, salad and a pot of mussels each. Mussels are on the menu everywhere, very tasty in a cream sauce. We sat right beside the water, outside the restaurant below us, partly so we could use their wifi during dinner and use it from our overlooking room. Good signal from our room, but there must be some conflict with the laptop and password configuration and the laptop doesn’t connect. The ‘phone does, so we can receive emails and, a little more tediously, send emails. Either back to McDonalds or wait ‘til Sunday night and see if we get wifi that works once we’ve left Honfleur.
Friday:
Day started overcast but clear so we headed to Etretat, where some of the early impressionist painters (Monet, Dufor,
Courbet etc) produced spectacular canvasses. The weather just got better & better, ‘til there were no clouds in the sky. We walked along the stunning cliff tops and just couldn’t get over the scenes, the many shades of blue and white, the height of the chalk cliffs and just the general atmosphere. I can’t imagine seeing anything more spectacular. Gary, another bucket list entry. Yummy icecream on the foreshore afterwards to mark this achievement (and to cool down). No hats, no sunscreen, no sense. Back home over the Pont de Normandie and guess what we’re doing? Looking out our window with, surprise, surprise, a glass or two of wine, a baguette and a big wedge of Brie. Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) clock, just across the basin, strikes 7:15. Clock strikes every 15 mins, but is quiet between 8pm & 8am. Sausages, mushrooms, salad and left over risotto for dinner tonight. Starting to finish up leftovers before we leave on Sunday morning.
Saturday:
Last full day based in Honfleur. We almost feel like we belong, knowing where things are, car parking arrangements, “Harry Potter” doorway, our local bakery etc. Over run with tourists, we locals find this tedious!
Went to Beuvron-en Auge, a pretty town of half timbered houses, farms selling local produce, pigs & roosters in the back yard. Lots of flower boxes and a village described in the tourist books as a “village fleuri” awarded 3 out of 4 flowers. Lots of huge, smelly (Gill says heavily scented) curved rose bushes growing on house walls.
On then to Chateau Crevecour-en-Auge, a restored 15th century chateau and farm buildings including a dovecote that used to house 3000 pigeons. Only the lord was allowed to have a dovecote and it was an indication of wealth – the wealthier you were, the bigger the dovecote was. As far as the main buildings, the closer together (therefore more wood) the studs were, the wealthier the owner was. This chateau was bought and conserved by a very wealthy family who made their money from developing electrical equipment to help find underground oil. The building was heading towards ruin, so this family was able to save it – it is an important classified historical monument.
We’re sitting in the church of St Catherine, after dinner, waiting for the organ and saxophone concert to begin. Just been given the programme which ranges from classical to jazz. Laura, eat your heart out, there is a paso doble and a tango. It will all sound great in the big, atmospheric timber church. Photos below are of the harbour ,taken after the concert and car shuffle. Our apartment is the one with the 2 extended red awnings in the left photo.
Sunday: Great concert last night. Didn’t realise an organ could be so soft & gentle. Big range of sounds, almost like an orchestra in itself. Some solo organ pieces could almost shake the church down. Sax was very mellow and sounded great. We were very sorry to leave Honfleur this morning, leaving behind the view over the basin, the diners, the Harry Potter door. We didn’t mind the car park shuffles and got quite used to finding convenient car parks.
Called in to a couple of nice towns today (Basilica at Alencon to the left) and have stopped at Le Mans for the night. Uneventful driving day and appreciated the aircon in the car, 30 degrees outside this afternoon.
Good wifi tonight, so here goes!
Thanks McDonalds, the wifi there was good. We figured we’d get some advantage for daughter who seems to keep the local McDonalds afloat. Good for wifi and toilets.
Yes, we walked more than half way over the Pont de Normandie. It’s a long way up (or down, depending on what mood you’re in). We weren’t the only ones who did. Unfortunately the day was very grey and overcast, not good if you want to boast with bright blue skies in photos, but the bridge walk was still impressive. The water below was much smoother than it was yesterday when we got soaked. We saw the same boat below and no one had to move from the bow.
We moved on to a place not too far away, Pont-Audemer, again a pretty little town with half timbered houses with modern, neatly laid out main street and town square complete with fountain. Not sure what they’re for, but there are numerous canals running through the town that give atmosphere to the place.
Back in Honfleur in time for fish soup, salad and a pot of mussels each. Mussels are on the menu everywhere, very tasty in a cream sauce. We sat right beside the water, outside the restaurant below us, partly so we could use their wifi during dinner and use it from our overlooking room. Good signal from our room, but there must be some conflict with the laptop and password configuration and the laptop doesn’t connect. The ‘phone does, so we can receive emails and, a little more tediously, send emails. Either back to McDonalds or wait ‘til Sunday night and see if we get wifi that works once we’ve left Honfleur.
Friday:
Day started overcast but clear so we headed to Etretat, where some of the early impressionist painters (Monet, Dufor,
Courbet etc) produced spectacular canvasses. The weather just got better & better, ‘til there were no clouds in the sky. We walked along the stunning cliff tops and just couldn’t get over the scenes, the many shades of blue and white, the height of the chalk cliffs and just the general atmosphere. I can’t imagine seeing anything more spectacular. Gary, another bucket list entry. Yummy icecream on the foreshore afterwards to mark this achievement (and to cool down). No hats, no sunscreen, no sense. Back home over the Pont de Normandie and guess what we’re doing? Looking out our window with, surprise, surprise, a glass or two of wine, a baguette and a big wedge of Brie. Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) clock, just across the basin, strikes 7:15. Clock strikes every 15 mins, but is quiet between 8pm & 8am. Sausages, mushrooms, salad and left over risotto for dinner tonight. Starting to finish up leftovers before we leave on Sunday morning.Saturday:
Last full day based in Honfleur. We almost feel like we belong, knowing where things are, car parking arrangements, “Harry Potter” doorway, our local bakery etc. Over run with tourists, we locals find this tedious!
Went to Beuvron-en Auge, a pretty town of half timbered houses, farms selling local produce, pigs & roosters in the back yard. Lots of flower boxes and a village described in the tourist books as a “village fleuri” awarded 3 out of 4 flowers. Lots of huge, smelly (Gill says heavily scented) curved rose bushes growing on house walls.
On then to Chateau Crevecour-en-Auge, a restored 15th century chateau and farm buildings including a dovecote that used to house 3000 pigeons. Only the lord was allowed to have a dovecote and it was an indication of wealth – the wealthier you were, the bigger the dovecote was. As far as the main buildings, the closer together (therefore more wood) the studs were, the wealthier the owner was. This chateau was bought and conserved by a very wealthy family who made their money from developing electrical equipment to help find underground oil. The building was heading towards ruin, so this family was able to save it – it is an important classified historical monument.
We’re sitting in the church of St Catherine, after dinner, waiting for the organ and saxophone concert to begin. Just been given the programme which ranges from classical to jazz. Laura, eat your heart out, there is a paso doble and a tango. It will all sound great in the big, atmospheric timber church. Photos below are of the harbour ,taken after the concert and car shuffle. Our apartment is the one with the 2 extended red awnings in the left photo.
Sunday: Great concert last night. Didn’t realise an organ could be so soft & gentle. Big range of sounds, almost like an orchestra in itself. Some solo organ pieces could almost shake the church down. Sax was very mellow and sounded great. We were very sorry to leave Honfleur this morning, leaving behind the view over the basin, the diners, the Harry Potter door. We didn’t mind the car park shuffles and got quite used to finding convenient car parks.
Called in to a couple of nice towns today (Basilica at Alencon to the left) and have stopped at Le Mans for the night. Uneventful driving day and appreciated the aircon in the car, 30 degrees outside this afternoon.
Good wifi tonight, so here goes!
Back after a bit of a hiatus having been moving around to family and friends in Melbourne last week (now back to the drudgery of work and skipping the ipad from which I couldn't leave comments!)
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos of the cliffs at Etretat - definitely will add to the bucket list.
Your time at Honfleur sounded fantastic. I came across a reference to Honfleur in a book that Laura just lent us called The White Queen - about the War of the Roses in 15th Century. When people had to get out of Britain for fear of the current monarch, they often went to France to make allies - once of the fleets coming back to attack the King left from Honfleur!
I think you are "just" driving around France now in the Renault - look forward to the next fascinating installment.