SalB's blog

One of the boys recommended the Caen Peace Memorial and it was a rainy day, perfect for an inside visit. We finished breakfast and headed into Caen taking the Peripherique and following signs to the Peace Memorial. It's quite spectacular from the outside with all the flags flying in the breeze.

Our goal today was the castle of William the Conqueror in Falaise. We ate, hopped in our little Peugeot and headed south on the N158. It was a brief and pretty drive to Falaise and I had a town map from the Internet.

We parked at the Hotel de Ville and walked over to visit Eglise Ste. Trinité. It had two distinct styles and much obvious restoration. It was time for the château to open so we walked on up and entered, meeting a Canadian couple who constituted our entire group. Late September must not be major Falaise tourist time.

Sunday morning we had breakfast and drove to St. Sylvain for church. We entered as the choir practiced and the priest came back and introduced himself. He spoke no English . . . nor did anyone else who spoke to us. We managed. When the service started, we found ourselves being introduced to the congregation as tourists from America. It is a very friendly church and we enjoyed it.

After church we visited the local epicerie and got olive oil, wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and a few other things. Drove home and I made a very strong vinaigrette for our bean and potato salad and set it to marinate.

We left home Sept. 21, landed in Paris Sept. 22 and I got my luggage Sept. 24. They did, as promised, deliver it to the host of our gite. It was waiting for me in the morning when I went to call (again) about it. Hooray, clean clothes, maps, books!

After I unpacked and we ate breakfast, we started for Vivoin Abbey. In the process we met Richard, the gardener. He speaks no English but appeared to understand our French and was very pleasant. Later we were glad we befriended him because fresh vegetables appeared on our doorstep on a regular basis.

We flew on a very nice Air France flight and all went well until we tried to claim our bags. My luggage was lost! This is the third time Air France has managed to do this to me. The last time they lost all of it; this time, only mine. We filled out the appropriate forms, knew we had put our French address both inside and out of the luggage, and had been assured it would be delivered. It always has been so we had left for Normandy trusting in Air France. 

It was the Auberge de la Crémaillère just across from the church and it was wonderful. We got the cheapest menu (19.90 €) and it was a five-course meal. I chose the roasted pork in cider sauce and Ed got canard in beans (like a cassoulet). I had a ham and artichoke starter and Ed got the gazpacho with lemon sorbet. There was a splendid cheese board with local cheeses so we each tried three and all were good. My favorite was a Pont l’Évêque.