Autum Break in Normandy 2008

First stop was the Picardie region in the Somme district where our first overnight stop was a small village outside Albert.

Thanks to the dogs we get to see lots of quiet little roads normally not frequented by tourists. Here among farms in the Somme district.

Here we take a canal walk along the Somme outside Amiens

Not to speak of the numerous peaceful villages we wondered thorugh....

The Somme district is full om memories of the first world war. Back then British casulties were buried where they fell, like here in this war grave in the middle of a farming field.

At Thiepval is a war memorial over the 72 000 ! British soldiers who were killed in the battle of the Somme (August - November 1916) and never found.

All their names are enscribed on the white marble plaques. We did of course not bring the dogs here. Nice to see that during our short visit here 2 coaches with English school children came to lay down wreaths - 90 yearafter the war ended. We must not let ourselves forget.

Then on to the coast and paninters favourite - Honfleur. Beautiful days here and beautiful village.

Time for a scrub out of the van in Honfleur. Lili was worried somebody might come and steal her cushion.....

We then pushed on and all of a sudden the beautiful beaches of Normandy werein front of us...... first stop was Arromanches where the remains of another war was visible - the Mulberry Harbour - constructed for the invasion in 1944

In the museum in Arromanches details from the allied invation in june 1944 is displayed. Norway was also represented here with a small force - therefore the Norwegian flag outside.

Again the dogs takes us out to places we normally wouldn't go - here the coastal path - with Arromanches in the background.

Another war - another cementry. Here the American memorial at Omaha Beach where 9000 soldiers are buried. Immaculately kept.

Then it was time for Bayeux. Here outside the cathedral.

Of course we had to see the famous Bayeux tapestry - without the dogs of course. But we are sure they thought all the nice smells on the Saturday marked was a lot more interesting: fruit, vegetables, meat (incl. roast chicken) and here: flowers.

Next stop was the ever popular Mont St. Michel

Long walk - nice with a little rest. When the tide comes in the carpark to the right fills up with water.

Lili found a little friend at Mont St. Michel. He was very representative of all the dogs we met in France - "terrier-something."

Narrow streets and lots for sale ........

Time for impressionist sightseeing - we have arrived at Claude Monet's Giverny

In Monet's beloved garden. The dogs were not allowed in here but we were not alone - it was packed with tourists even now in the middle of October with the garden fading.

Yes - here they are - Monets famous water lilies

Two things that there are lot of in Normandy - one thing is appletrees and apples - as here on the campsite where the grass is covered with fallen apples. Fortunately most apples are used for making cider, Calvados and lovely dessert: baked apple with cinnamon icecream - yammy !

The other thing is cows - they are lacily grassing everywhere.

Lovely to be a camper tourist in Normandy. Lovely quiet motorways......

Or peaceful contry lanes.

France is full of camper-stops - the socalled "Aires". They are often free - you only pay if you use water/electicity/ sanitary. Here is an excample: Outside the town hall you can park free from 5.pm to 10.am when the hall is not in use. Good idea - isn't it ?

Last days of the holiday we spent in Belgium - and a little highlight for the dogs - in Bredene there were walks in the sanddunes where they could run free.

Here they got the whiff og both rabbits and birds so there was lot of action. Not easy to photograph.

Last town we visited was the lovely medival town of Bruges.

Nobody visits Belgium without a full stop at the chocolate shop !

Girls on the Bridge

This trip camper-stop winner: Bruges ! Clean, nice, central. 5 minutes pedestrian walk to town centre. Yet peaceful overlooking the yacht harbour on the canal.

Will we ever get anything like this in Bergen ? Bergen City Council : See and learn !

Or maybe we'll have a coach trip next time ?