Holidays...part 2

Wednesday 

We were woken up by muzak at 5.30am (English time)– an hour before docking, so we got up, had a shower, had breakfast and then headed down to the cars.  We were on the road by 7.45 (French time) and drove down to Vire near where Rob and Caroline have their French home.  They called whilst we were en route to find out where we were and then as we were driving down a lane we saw an army landrover – Matt said “I bet that’s Rob” –it was,  and when he turned round we discovered Fred, Frank and Indie (the dog) were all in the back.

It was a lovely welcome and of course meant that we couldn’t get lost finding their house.  What a lovely house too – not that dissimilar to their one in Ingleton – a converted barn, decorated to a minimalist style – full of rustic charm.  We had a double bed in the annexe, whilst Tom had an army bed in with the two boys (how exciting!)

Raking

We didn’t do too much on Wednesday.  Matt went to Vire shopping with Rob whilst the boys went for a bike ride with Caroline and me.  They live in a field in the middle of no where, surrounded by fields full of maize, some donkeys and even a lama.  It was all very idyllic.

We met back at the barn and had bread, ham, pate and cheese for lunch.  When I say we – I mean Matt and I.  Rob and Caroline don’t eat carbs, so they were on fruit and yoghurt.  Sort of makes it a little awkward at meal times, as most ‘normal’ meals have carbs in them.

The boys then played in the wonderful apple orchard garden for the rest of the day whilst we sat and drank wine.  We then had a bbq in the evening, with more wine.  I think we maybe had a little too much wine: I had a headache when I went to bed, the Atkinsons are just too hospitable and if you say no to wine,  your glass gets filled up regardless, plus the wine is so good it slides down just a little too well.

Thursday

Dusk in Gathemo

Woke up on Thursday feeling better than expected and resolving not to drink again tonight.  It was raining – that fine, in your face, mist rain.  Not a welcome sight.  We all stayed in for the morning – except Rob and all 3 boys who went in the army landrover to get a baguette and some croissants for breakfast – a real treat for Tom – being strapped in the back of it.  A very cool ride for a 6 year old.  We ate breakfast and then hung around waiting for the rain to subside.  It took ages!  Eventually it began to lighten up.  Rob and Caroline had arranged a day out for us, taking in some of the D-Day sights.  First stop was a gun emplacement in Longues-sur-mer.  This consisted of 4 guns, one of which had been blown up and the other 3 still intact where they were all that time ago and in pretty good nick considering how long they’ve been there.  We were able to clamber around which was good fun and then go to see a observation post which was once again in very good nick for it’s age.

After an ice cream break, we headed off to the Operation Overlord Museum which is stuffed full of artifacts from D-Day, including a very interesting motorbike / tank thingy which Matt instantly fell in love with and wanted.  The museum unfortunately was packed full of people, but it was interesting and created a lot of questions from Tom.  It is very difficult trying to explain the concept of a war to a 6 year old without trivializing it all.  I was also very aware that Germans were in the museum around me whilst I was trying to explain the war to Tom in simple terms.  Not an easy thing to do and I’m not sure how much he understood, but he was certainly interested.

Tom and Mulberry Harbour

Next stop was Arromanches – for three reasons: we had been promised crepes, Mulberry Harbour and a play on the beach.  First stop was the crepe shop – where we all had crepes, in fact I have never seen the Atkinson boys eat so enthusiastically or quickly before – they are pancake hoovers!  Then we went down on the beach.  These being the Atkinsons, they don’t play with buckets and spades on the beach, oh no, they play with diggers and tractors!  They had about 10 of them on the beach and were very happy boys relocating sand.  Tom started off with bucket and spade, but then joined in the fun.  

Playing in the sea

The Atkinsons are farmers - what more should I say?

He also had a good game of beach ball and velcro ball – that was until I broke the beach ball racket – oops!

We didn’t get home until after 7.  Tom had tea of baked beans on toast (how French!)  Fred and Frank didn’t have anything (how do they exist on so little?) and they were in bed for around 9pm.  We then had steak and salad for tea whilst star gazing and drinking calvados.  A perfect night.