So on Saturday morning we packed up and headed west to Point D'Hoc where the US Rangers climbed up the cliff to attack the German forces during the D-Day invasion. Here is Rhodri looking east along Omaha Beach from the Point D'Hoc monument.
Here is Rhiannon looking into one of the bunkers on the cliff with Tryfan and I in the background.
There were loads of depressions where bombs had landed and exploded during the invasion, and now they are all grassy and fun to run across!
When we had explored enough of the clifftop memorial area, we headed east to Omaha beach. We were amazed at what a HUGE wide and deep and beautiful beach it is.
Mandatory family self-take on Omaha Beach
After leaving the beach, we meandered through the countryside following signs for various campsites before we decided on one in the village of Creully. It was another nearly empty place and the grassy site we found was right next to a swingset.
The kids played and played in the sand and on the swings. There were lots of little tiny seashells in the sand, and so the kids were busy searching for them and lining them all up on top of a swing, digging holes and burying stuff. Endless opportunities! Here is the swingset sand area:
After setting up camp and playing for awhile, we went into the village for dinner. Here is the cafe which had been recommended to us, right next to the village church.
But the cafe didn't open until 7pm so we spent half an hour exploring around. We stumbled upon a castle which was right in the middle of the village so we didn't even realize it was a castle until we read a plaque which explained that it was built in the 11th century. There was a friendly black cat that the kids followed.
Here is the inner part of the castle area. The southeast tower of the castle was the headquarters for the BBC during the 2nd World War. So cool!
We had a great meal of crepes with local cheese and Calvados beverages, and then got back to the campsite for a great night of sleep. First thing in the morning, Tryfan and Rhiannon went straight back to the swing and sand area even though they were still in their jammies!
We packed the car and headed off on Sunday morning so that we could do some more meandering and exploring on the way back to Dieppe.
It was a gorgeous day and we were able to spend some time on the seafront in Dieppe where lots of people were flying kites, playing soccer on the grass, and eating ice cream. We just participated in the ice cream part and then made our way to the ferry around 3:30pm, ready for the 5pm sailing. It was the same exact vessel so the troops knew what to do during the voyage - ball pit action! Rhodri and I got to read our books and drink beer. Superb!
The ferry landed in Newhaven at 8pm and by the time we had driven off, stopped for the Sunday paper and some milk, we got home around 9pm and went straight to bed.
On Monday morning I scooted off to work while Rhodri and the kids stayed home and dealt with the aftermath -- airing out all our gear and cleaning things properly before packing them away for our next adventure...
So all in all, it was a wonderful camping trip! It felt like a longer period than the 4 days that it was. I had been very curious and skeptical about camping in France, because all of the campsites that I read about on the internet were deluxe resorts with swimming pools, waterslides, cafes, organized activities and lots of 'stuff' that I personally do not associate with camping. So I was grateful to have found some options which are at least more basic and minimal than the 3 and 4 star resorts I had read about. But what I really miss is being able to camp in the middle of nowhere with no facilities or amenities, and to be able to have a campfire. Sadly, both places we camped in France didn't allow campfires. I guess that means we will have to try it again somewhere else in France or in the UK...
Rhodri and I remembered while we were on this trip that camping takes practice! There is so much to remember and a different rhythm to tune into. I'd love to do more of this.
Here is the egg coloring center on the patio dining table. Somehow 18 eggs was just not really enough for all of us to get our fix of coloring, so some eggs got colored and then received an 'enhanced later stage' of decoration.
Late in the afternoon we decided to make a pilgrimage to Pooh Sticks Bridge, since our visitors had never been there. It was wonderful to be in this part of the forest on such a special warm Easter afternoon. Here is Aunt Judy walking with Tryfan and Bentley
All of the bluebells are popping up in the Ashdown Forest, and they are so lovely to see! This isn't the best representation of them, but it will have to do for now.
At Pooh Sticks Bridge, looking downstream.
Getting ready for the final stick race under the bridge.
We had our grand Easter Egg Hunt on Monday morning at 9:30am and our friends Sofie and Oscar came over to participate.
After the Egg Hunt, I took Grandma Bucky, Aunt Judy and the kids on a walk to the National Cat Centre as it is quite a substantial place in terms of money spent developing it and grounds spread out under its reach. This is one of the best hang out spots because it is downwind from the blooming lilac. Yum!
Finally we had to say goodbye on Monday afternoon. I took them to the train station in East Grinstead and they made their way into London where they are spending the rest of this week.
So that was our Easter weekend. It was perfect and wonderful and very special because of our long awaited visitors. Now its back to reality as school starts up again and our normal routine kicks back into action (though not for long, since Friday is the Royal Wedding and is a Public Holiday for all of us!).
