Apologies for leaving Mont St Michel tonight, but it's late and we have an early start in the morning. A big day of D Day sites and memorials. And a few military cemeteries too I'd imagine.
If I try and tell you about the amazing Mont tonight I wont do it justice. So tomorrow ok.
Goodnight for now.
Friday 27 September 2013
Chateau sur Mer
The town is Villers sur Mer, meaning Village by the sea. So this is (completely unofficially) Chateau sur Mer. However, we're nicknamed it Chateau Scary.
You've got to admit, if you drove up here at night, especially a dark and stormy one, add lightening bolt on que for effect just as you open the creaky iron gate, and well, you get me?
But no, that's not the reason.
And yes, it's very high up. And those (like me) with vertigo shouldn't lean too far over that balcony.
But no, that's not the reason.
Basically, it's the stairs. Yep. The twisting, narrowing, creaking, 200+ year old, complete with lion (read gargoyle) wood carvings... and that view from the top down the middle. It's to die for. Literally!
But our little apartment in what was the attic... It's simply beautiful. Small, clean, modern, and equipped with everything we need, including that million dollar view. It completely belies the building from the outside. I wouldn't have thought is possible, but here, see for yourself.
The really amazing thing is that 90% of the town is boarded up. Summer is over, everyone has gone back to work, and well, this is now a quiet, peaceful village.
Except for those stairs, there's nothing peaceful about them. I promise you. Here's another look just in case you were wondering.
You've got to admit, if you drove up here at night, especially a dark and stormy one, add lightening bolt on que for effect just as you open the creaky iron gate, and well, you get me?
But no, that's not the reason.
And yes, it's very high up. And those (like me) with vertigo shouldn't lean too far over that balcony.
But no, that's not the reason.
Basically, it's the stairs. Yep. The twisting, narrowing, creaking, 200+ year old, complete with lion (read gargoyle) wood carvings... and that view from the top down the middle. It's to die for. Literally!
But our little apartment in what was the attic... It's simply beautiful. Small, clean, modern, and equipped with everything we need, including that million dollar view. It completely belies the building from the outside. I wouldn't have thought is possible, but here, see for yourself.
Now, of course, being the only aussies in town, that we know of anyway, it's important to let them know we're here. We thought you might enjoy this little edit from the main street. Note please the go-kart track and public swimming pool.
The really amazing thing is that 90% of the town is boarded up. Summer is over, everyone has gone back to work, and well, this is now a quiet, peaceful village.
Except for those stairs, there's nothing peaceful about them. I promise you. Here's another look just in case you were wondering.
The ferry crossing
We came across from Portsmouth to what we thought was Caen, but was actually Ouistreham, Caen is 15kms inland. We left UK at 2200, and arrived at 0730 just on dawn. It was very eerie really. The place was completely deserted except for the ferry foot passengers, and a continuous stream of cars trucks and bikes (sigh) past the customs office.
I managed to get 2 vids. One on the deck as we cruised past Portsmouth. You'll note HMS Victory which was Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is still in commission today!
A word of advice if I may. If you plan on doing this either get a cabin with a real bed (they were all booked up) or if you only have a "reclining chair", then bring a blow up matress and sleeping bag, and do what all the smart seasoned travelers (kids) did and stake out your bit of carpet.
We didn't, and our muscles regretted it for days. I managed a few hours on the bare carpet with a parka for a pillow, Janelle stayed in the chair and is still paying for it. You have been warned.
I managed to get 2 vids. One on the deck as we cruised past Portsmouth. You'll note HMS Victory which was Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is still in commission today!
Now come with me for a sneaky little wander through the ferry, stern to bow, and back to the bar. If you're quick you'll see Kevin keenly gazing out the front window.
A word of advice if I may. If you plan on doing this either get a cabin with a real bed (they were all booked up) or if you only have a "reclining chair", then bring a blow up matress and sleeping bag, and do what all the smart seasoned travelers (kids) did and stake out your bit of carpet.
We didn't, and our muscles regretted it for days. I managed a few hours on the bare carpet with a parka for a pillow, Janelle stayed in the chair and is still paying for it. You have been warned.
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