Longues-sur-Mer

Tuesday 07/07/20

Bokkie in her spot for the night

We were woken bright and early by the oyster farmers' tractors heading to the beach again at low tide, but we didn't mind too much as it was a lovely morning.  The harness racers were out exercising their horses again.

We set off to the American cemetery which seemed appropriate as the two beaches, Utah and Omaha, were the American landing sites on D-Day.  The cemetery is certainly thought-provoking, bringing a dose of reality to any romantic notions one might have about the war and the invasion, in particular.  The entire place is immaculate and well run; it was just as well we arrived early as it was starting to fill up by the time we left.

Crosses for the almost 10,000 US soldiers who died during the landings.

Omaha beach in the backdrop

Memorial Garden of the 1,500 missing US soldiers, their names covering the walls.

The 7 metres high bronze statue entitled ‘The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves’.

We have stopped at a point near the Longues-sur-Mer german coastal defence battery, one of the best preserved sites in the area.  We went to have a look at them and then cycled into Arromanche which we had visited before.

One of the 150mm cannons capable of firing on targets 22km away.

Approaching Arromanche

Poignant graffiti on the wall of a restaurant in Arromanche

Bonus pic, we don't often have this view from Bokkie's window.

The cliffs obviously making for good ridge-soaring.

Tomorrow we start our journey towards our ferry crossing - more driving, less sight-seeing.