Rennes

A full day tour of Juno Beach and surrounding area focused on Canadian involvement in D-Day...the beginning of the end of WW II.

Was a beautiful day, so hard to imagine the ships, bombardments, artillery, equipment, troops, killing, confusion on the beaches 73 years ago. Quite the strategy and coordinated effort among the Allies. Saw Juno beach (where the Canadians landed), German bunkers, Abbatiale St. Etienne in Caen where William the conqueror is buried, Canadian cemetery (very beautiful and well-kept), museum...all very good. The Canadians and the Brits brought bicycles with them to cover ground quickly and quietly once on shore!

Back in Bayeux we wandered thru a little market, people-watched while we had a biere at a cafe, then picked up stuff for supper. For the first time we had dinner at our chambres-hotes that had a common kitchen area. Nice to have a break from going out.

And a very cool coincidence today. Got talking to a woman on the tour. Her husband was in the forces... so was my Dad.

Woman: Were you ever in Centralia?
Me: Yes, for 2 years.
Woman: I went to Exeter for high school.
Me: I was in elementary school at the time.
Woman: We lived in Mt. Carmel.
Me: Really? Us too!

(Mt. Carmel is a farming hamlet with just 13 houses on the main street).

Woman: What's your name?
Me: Majocha
Woman: My sister used to babysit you! You had twins in the family.

Unbelievable!! It was sooooo cool talking to her about the village and the people there...she knew them all. Including the 'spooky' house we used to run past 😯. Her father farmed and also drove machinery on the base and Dad remembers him too! Such a small world!Read more