I returned to Houston in the wee hours of Tuesday, the 19th, and can say that, while it was a great trip, it is always nice to be back home.
After Joe and I split up I headed across France to a port at Roscoff, France where I took a ferry to Cork, Ireland. While the ferry ride was 14 hours, it saves a channel crossing, a ride across England and a ferry ride from England to Ireland. From Cork I have to travel only about 15 miles to where my bike is stored.
The ride across France was nice except for my not realizing that, while I thought I had taken a loop around, my route took me through the center of Paris. At least it wasn’t rush hour.
My last full day was spent on the Normandy coast visiting the locations where the D-Day landings took place as well as memorials and grave sites.
While walking on the beach, at the Utah Beach memorial site, I heard a trumpet back at the memorial playing the national anthem. It was very moving and, unlike our so called “sports stars”, I turned toward the sound and placed my hand over my heart and sang the anthem (well, mouthed the words because I can’t sang). The trumpet player then finished with taps. As I said, it was a very moving moment knowing the sacrifices that so many had made on this spot.
One of the grave sites that I visited the next day on my way to Roscoff was outside of Saint-James, France which is about 80 miles south west of the beaches. I wanted to go there because I don’t think it gets nearly the number of visitors that the grave site at Omaha beach receives and I feel that those fallen heroes shouldn’t be forgotten. I have posted a link to a short video from my visit.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPM9lc8KR3qDljPEHJiJufWv_S60_koJs6PKsoEpn9Opf1BVXbezL7qEA9wRyvRlg/photo/AF1QipMPYhHz64BQgbobz2q6H8rpQz8Hgk6-Jhvayv4O?key=ZjFKTzZRU01PWXI0T1FFX0hscE5DSDE4ZDVIMlV3
I was amazed at the tidal movement at Roscoff, France. In the photo you can see all the boats sitting on the bottom. I went over by where the fishing boats are tied up and had lunch. By the time I finished lunch they were all floating once again.
Here’s the ferry I took back to Cork. It is more or less like the Lynchburg ferry in Houston….well maybe a bit larger holding 650 cars, many trucks and 2,400 passengers.
After Joe and I split up I headed across France to a port at Roscoff, France where I took a ferry to Cork, Ireland. While the ferry ride was 14 hours, it saves a channel crossing, a ride across England and a ferry ride from England to Ireland. From Cork I have to travel only about 15 miles to where my bike is stored.
The ride across France was nice except for my not realizing that, while I thought I had taken a loop around, my route took me through the center of Paris. At least it wasn’t rush hour.
My last full day was spent on the Normandy coast visiting the locations where the D-Day landings took place as well as memorials and grave sites.
While walking on the beach, at the Utah Beach memorial site, I heard a trumpet back at the memorial playing the national anthem. It was very moving and, unlike our so called “sports stars”, I turned toward the sound and placed my hand over my heart and sang the anthem (well, mouthed the words because I can’t sang). The trumpet player then finished with taps. As I said, it was a very moving moment knowing the sacrifices that so many had made on this spot.
One of the grave sites that I visited the next day on my way to Roscoff was outside of Saint-James, France which is about 80 miles south west of the beaches. I wanted to go there because I don’t think it gets nearly the number of visitors that the grave site at Omaha beach receives and I feel that those fallen heroes shouldn’t be forgotten. I have posted a link to a short video from my visit.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPM9lc8KR3qDljPEHJiJufWv_S60_koJs6PKsoEpn9Opf1BVXbezL7qEA9wRyvRlg/photo/AF1QipMPYhHz64BQgbobz2q6H8rpQz8Hgk6-Jhvayv4O?key=ZjFKTzZRU01PWXI0T1FFX0hscE5DSDE4ZDVIMlV3
I was amazed at the tidal movement at Roscoff, France. In the photo you can see all the boats sitting on the bottom. I went over by where the fishing boats are tied up and had lunch. By the time I finished lunch they were all floating once again.
Here’s the ferry I took back to Cork. It is more or less like the Lynchburg ferry in Houston….well maybe a bit larger holding 650 cars, many trucks and 2,400 passengers.
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