A bit showery on and off and a stiff breeze blowing which at least meant that when we did get wet, we got dry quite quickly too! We loitered for a while on the aire at Honfleur because as you can imagine some 100 or so vans trying to leave and use the facilities was quite chaotic but were on our way just after 11. A forty mile drive took as back to the Ferry Port and the coastal village of Ouistretham and we found parking at the far end (west) at the Plage de la Breche d’Hermanville where we began our walk along alternately the beach and walkway back towards Ouistretham.
All along the walk way are reminders of the eventful D-Day landings which took place here on 6th June 1944 and many photos of the 70th Anniversary ceremonies attended by our late Queen and Prince Phillip – I am sure there will be many other markers on our journey along this section of coastline.
The next section of beach is the Plage de Coleville-Montgomery leading onto Sword Beach where the fateful landings took place and on this blustery day mecca for a few hardy and experienced wing surfers….
Beyond lies Plage de Riva Bella (set up for volley ball and other sports) and the great expanse of Ouistretham Beach leading up to the entrance to the Ferry Port – here Tilly had great fun chasing the sand and little bits of seaweed caught up in the wind….
As the beach ran out we walked inland towards the village to seek a bit of respite from the wind and flying sand now blowing into our faces and I’m so pleased we did as we got to visit the stunning memorial created for the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in 2014….
Breathtakingly beautiful and poignant at the same time – a little further along the beach is the original monument ‘The Flame’ and four (2 pictured) ‘nothing to do with the war’ animal sculptures by Michel Bassonpierre….
All in all another very successful and somewhat educational day and a very handy small camping carpark Aire a couple of miles inland at Hermanville sur Mer (only 24 units at capacity!).
Thoughts of the day:
- How beautifully kept and maintained are the memorials – clearly a sense of pride and honour
- In fact – how beautifully well kept is everywhere – no rubbish / graffiti
- How come the beaches around the uk get all sorts of waste washed ashore – but I have seen no evidence of anything similar here so far
Today’s stats:
- Miles driven – 40
- Miles walked – 7
- Beaches – 5
- Aire – £13 with EHU
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