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Graham & Jane
Today we took the included tour on the Route des Chaumieres, (the thatched roof road) and the optional tour to Honfleur.
Whilst we have seen many thatched cottages in the UK and Ireland, these in Normandy are somewhat different, the thatch for one is thinner and on the ridge line they plant Irises. The ridge line is caped with clay and the Irises planted to both keep the clay stable from washing away and also to keep the moisture down in the thatch. As the guide was very fond of telling us it rains a lot in Normandy, so the Irises are essential. (not that we have seen any rain yet!).
This morning's tour then too us onto a little market town of (will fill in later) where as it was Monday the market was on, allowing us to see all the local produce and different foods being sold, the photos attached show a very small sample of the wares on offer.
In the afternoon it was off to Honfleur, somewhere I had been one before in the middle of winter and spent the whole time running around on a treasure hunt. It was a place I had always wanted to get back to and this visit has only left me wanting to go back again.
On the way to and from Honfleur we passed over the magnificent Pont du Normandie bridge which was/is one of the largest bridges of its type in the world, It crosses the Seine and has to be so high of course to allow the ships to pass under going to the port of Rouen up river.
Honfleur is where Samuel de Champlain left France to found the colony in Quebec so the Canadians on the tour were all very keen to be on this part of the trip, With its unique row of old houses and wooden cathedral Honfleur is well worth the visit.
Whilst we have seen many thatched cottages in the UK and Ireland, these in Normandy are somewhat different, the thatch for one is thinner and on the ridge line they plant Irises. The ridge line is caped with clay and the Irises planted to both keep the clay stable from washing away and also to keep the moisture down in the thatch. As the guide was very fond of telling us it rains a lot in Normandy, so the Irises are essential. (not that we have seen any rain yet!).
This morning's tour then too us onto a little market town of (will fill in later) where as it was Monday the market was on, allowing us to see all the local produce and different foods being sold, the photos attached show a very small sample of the wares on offer.
In the afternoon it was off to Honfleur, somewhere I had been one before in the middle of winter and spent the whole time running around on a treasure hunt. It was a place I had always wanted to get back to and this visit has only left me wanting to go back again.
On the way to and from Honfleur we passed over the magnificent Pont du Normandie bridge which was/is one of the largest bridges of its type in the world, It crosses the Seine and has to be so high of course to allow the ships to pass under going to the port of Rouen up river.
Honfleur is where Samuel de Champlain left France to found the colony in Quebec so the Canadians on the tour were all very keen to be on this part of the trip, With its unique row of old houses and wooden cathedral Honfleur is well worth the visit.
- comments
Sue It all looks very lovely , and I promise I am still following , hope your having a fantastic time !!xxx
Annette Hi to you both what amazing holiday I love looking at all your photos.has the weather been good .its raining here today I don't think Wayne will be playing golf .well the school holidays are just about over things will get back to normal .we are away Sunday week up to Echuca playing golf with probus I am looking forward to just getting away for a week hope the weather picks up .love to you both .have fun . Xxxxannette
Chris and Mel Looks like you guys are having a ball, enjoy !!
Bruce and Anne Nope, but the rest looks good!