Cite de la Mer

Above:  Eight missile hatches on each side visible. Chores and DIY It was a morning of chores, starting with the laundry before calling into a great hardware superstore called Leroy Merlin on the way to Valognes for more DIY. Today I started masking the attic windows for painting.  It was all good until I realised […]

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Balleroy, Bayeux and D-Day Landing beaches

Chateau Balleroy E had some errands to do in the morning and we did them en route to my first stop, which was Chateau Balleroy.  I got dropped off in the wet weather on the road while E went to work briefly, and walked to the ticket office located in one of the two stables. […]

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Glass-making area and the waterfront

Above:  Part of Cherbourg’s breakwater barely visible from the shore. Latin Mass Staying with E on the military base, we had a hearty breakfast on site.  When I talked about “café au lait” from the machine, he commented that I spoke French with no accent.  But I don’t speak French! We headed to the naval […]

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Going to Normandy

Above: On the train to Normandy. Luxembourg to Normandy by trains Today, I’m travelling to Normandy in France, which requires a suburban bus to the station, then a train-replacement bus to Metz Ville to connect with the high speed train to Paris Gare l’Est, getting to St Lazare station for the final normal rail service […]

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Luxembourg’s Old City

Above:  Luxembourg’s old city is built on a steep rocky outcrop. The balcony-like road on the upper level is referred to as the corniche (a name often used for an esplanade in many places). Haute Ville Despite having retired around midnight, I woke at 0515 (or 0415 UK time).  I got out of bed around […]

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Banksta city

Above:  Rives de Clausen area. Heathrow pick-up and drop-off hell As we had retired early last night, I woke at 0530.  It was very light already.  We were ready to go by around 0700 but stayed a bit longer to say good bye and make sure our morning nature calls were answered. Leaving around 7930, […]

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Warwick & Leamington

Above:  Warwick Castle.   We had a relaxed day with a trip to Leamington Spa, an old spa town not far away. En route, we took a look at Warwick Castle from outside its walls as parking was a hassle.  And I wasn’t interested enough to pay for the entrance ticket. Parking in the UK is […]

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Cathedral, transport museum and Shakespeare

Coventry Cathedral The damp weather had arrived and we were pleased to have done the more outdoor-type activities yesterday. We drove to central Coventry and parked at the NCP Belgrade multi-storey capark.  When we realised that the app pricing was much better, we decided to go have a quick lunch and get the app during […]

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Castle & air museum

Kenilworth Castle With good weather today, we brushed aside our idea of visiting Coventry’s Transport Museum but instead opted to do things that were a little more outdoor. We grabbed brunch at a nearby chain-bakery called Greggs before taking a quick look at Coventry Cathedral from the outside. Text continues after this gallery.     […]

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Visiting family

Leaving Poland Our alarm went off at 0230 and we hopped into a Bolt taxi at 0300 for the airport.  At this time, the price was nearly double what I had seen during the day. At the airport at 0320 for the 0545 flight, one check-in desk was already open serving three flights but there […]

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