Following on from my original "Normandy beaches 2015" thread. The mrs and I popped over to the beaches again last week, this time we took the eldest grandaughter and her boyfriend. We used the Direct Ferries website and got a crossing for £240, as opposed to using the normal Brittany Ferries website where the cost was £308. We tried to book into the Ibis at Port en Bessin but there weren`t two rooms available, so it was back to the Bayeux Ibis at a cost of about £35 per room per night. Bit of a blessing as the Port en Bessin Ibis is more expensive and this time of year there didn`t seem to be a lot open in the town. Once again I was trying to avoid museums to keep costs down. We had a mooch around Bayeux, there is free parking at the military museum, and for those with a motorhome there is an adjoining aire to park up overnight. We visited the British cemetery, had a look around the memorial garden to war reporters and had a nose at the vehicles dotted around.
Then onto Arromanches, a place I haven`t really looked around before. Besides the usual tourist souvenir shops, it`s a pleasant town to wile away some time sat supping on a coffee in one of the many cafe`s.
Then onto a real gem, the Hillman Bunker. I`d never been here before but was surprised at what remains and how it is presented. As it was out of season the place wasn`t staffed, you can however wander the area and view the various bunkers etc. The well.... The reservoir....
We took in another visit to Pegasus bridge towards the end of the day where we called in for the first time to Cafe Gondree, met the old lady, had a coffee, and had a look at all the bits and bobs she`d collected over the years. Next day we took an early morning trip to Omaha.... Then onto the US cemetery....
Then onto Longues sur Mer battery where I found a few hidden structures in the fields in front of the guns....
The following day we took in a short visit to Pointe du Hoc as it was raining, so took the opportunity to try the tank museum at Catz. I was once more pleasantly surprised....
We ended the day with a trip to the German cemetery at La Cambe.... On the final day before we caught the evening ferry we toodled around Utah and St Mere Eglise (which is rather sleepy out of season)....
Another fine pilgrimage you have made and thanks for posting the photographs. It is an area I know reasonably well and the photographs remind me of past visits to these sites.
Thanks chaps. We were going to do Maisy battery again but the rain caught us out. It would`ve been interesting to see if the site has been "cleaned up" at all. I find it an interesting battery but a little bit too "raw". Revetting the trenches and getting rid of the undergrowth would make the area a lot more welcoming.
Visited the Bayeux Cemetery along with the Overloon and Arnhem Cemeteries in January 2013 with my sister-in-law from Middlesbrough.
Sadly the Normandy tank museum closed in August this year, just not turning a profit, all exhibits put up for sale.
