Not In Bruges: Normandy, France

Hello!

I just got back from a few days in France. A friend from school has a family house in Normandy, France, near the town of Ecouche and she invited a group of us to drive down. So we rented a minivan and drove the 6 hours down to France. "Alabama" Dan has a Russian Ural motorcycle with a sidecar, so he followed us down with Holly in the sidecar. So we spent a few days hanging out and seeing the sights.

The House

Some normal people and a crazy person. Clockwise from me: "Alabama" Dan (USA), Marine (France), Alexandra (Romania), Rob (Roommate), Catia (Portugal), Leanne (Canada), Nick (USA)

Another crazy person mocking our dinner's head.

Breakfast, cooked by Alabama Dan.

The outside of Marine's family's house. The foundation was built in the 1200's, the house itself was built in the 1800's.

Farmland

The back of the house.

Marine riding a horse.

Lumberjack Paul with an axe that probably dates back to William the Conqueror.

Gambling with toy trains.

The guest cottage, where the library is housed. We found a bible printed in 1649.

Alabama, Alexandra (on bike) and Catia (in sidecar) taking a joyride.

The Chateau

The only picture of Holly I can find.

Saint-Michel

This is an abbey on an island that is built on a rock in the sea, but is accessible at low tide. People live on this island, and they still hold services in the abbey.

Japanese tourist invasion of Normandy.

Omaha Beach

I don't have to say how huge it was to walk out onto Omaha beach. This is the site of what is considered to be the largest invasion in human history. The beach is accessible, Marine says children play here when it's warm. There is a fantastic museum at the top of the hill, and a cemetary that houses 25,000 graves from casualties of the US campaign in France. Highly recommended if you ever get the chance, this is one of the most powerful things I have ever seen.