Sword Beach

Yesterday we decided to stay for one more day at our lovely location by the Seine ...

It is such a peaceful, scenic ... and fascinating spot - all for only 5 Euros a night.  Yesterday was particularly warm too, so we thought we would make the most of our sun-loungers!

In the afternoon, we took ourselves for a little walk but we didn't go too far as it was a tad too hot for us ... and the dogs!

We loved this house, it had a bit of Adams family about it ...

On the left of the pic you can see the white motorhomes parked up at the Aire ...

Elaine took the pic of me, the dogs and the ship ... but really I think she was taking a pic of the couple to my right.  They had just come out of a rather nice house to check out the passing ship ...

The dogs don't care for the ships at all ...

This is their house, nice eh?  If we could speak French we would have asked them to adopt us!

Elaine was woken by a passing ship at daybreak and she got a great early morning shot from her bedroom with a view!

OK, that's it, no more ships ... I'm pretty sure my reader is getting the sh**ts with ships!  It was just such a surreal thing, to be sitting on the banks of the lovely, peaceful Seine,then to see a massive ship passing by!

This morning we finally dragged ourselves away from the banks of the Seine and set sail for 'Ouistreham' Beach or more commonly known as the D Day beach Sword Beach.  We found the location in the Aires book and it sounded interesting and only a couple of hours drive away.

It was a lovely drive, through some lovely towns and villages but did stop at a supermarket on the way for a small top up of goodies.

Once again we are parked up at a motorhome-designated overnight stop (Aire) right behind the beach and a two minute walk into the town.

This one doesn't have any immediate views and is a pretty basic carpark with fresh water and elsan facilities ...

Shortly after our arrival, after having a spot of lunch, we went for a stroll along the beach.  

We spotted these guys doing synchronised kite flying, which was just brilliant!

A little further along we found this monument, which commemorates last year's 70th anniversary of the landings on June 6th 1944 ...

It was attended by some of the worlds dignitaries, including Aussie prime minister Tony Abbott!

The trouble with Tony is he is a Manly boy and as soon as he sees a beach he is straight into the 'budgie smugglers'.  I believe the rest of the dignitaries wore more appropriate attire though.

He could have at least worn a tie!

There is also a ferry terminal here.  The Brittany ferry sails to Portsmouth twice a day.

We spotted these guys walking along the beach ... they were heading towards the ferry terminal, I have no idea why!

Carrying along the promenade town ... they do like to decorate their roundabouts with nice flowers and plants ...

Further along the beach there is a monument to the Free French Commandos who took part in the landings ...

Looking back along Sword beach, with the ferry terminal in the background on the right ...

As it was a Sunday the town was fairly buzzing with tourists ...

This shop sold all types of tinned fish!!

On the way back to base we picked up a couple of French tarts!

They tasted better than they looked ... so yummy!

This is today's location ...