Normandy - Mont St. Michel and D-day beaches


Monday, July 16, 2018
Visited Longuest Battery where there are several gun batteries. The cannons are defunct but still there and it's cool to see. The kids really liked climbed all over the batteries.

We then made our way over to Gold Beach where they have a 360 degree theater. They show an exciting film about the war and quote leaders Roosevelt, Churchill and de Gaule. It was a touching film for me seeing how young many of the soldiers were! How difficult it must've been for their mothers to send them off, not knowing if they'd ever see them again. Also, hearing the numbers of how so many boys/men died protecting our freedoms and way of life. It was very sobering and made me want to make sure I appreciate and continue to protect those freedoms when I live in the States again.

We tried to visit Utah Beach that has all the white crosses for graves, but it was closed. And there is absolutely no way to peek in from any direction. That would've been an excellent visual for the kids; it's a bummer we were too late.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Visited Mont St. Michel. This is an incredibly picturesque island. You can't drive to the island, but they have a massive parking area where you only pay 8E to park and it includes the bus ride that drops you off near the city.

We walked up on the ramparts, and bought tickets to visit the abby with the audio guide. The kids, excepting Spencer, really enjoyed the tour. Brianna was beyond delighted when she realized one chapel was dedicated to Saint Martin, her favorite saint. It was so cute to see the realization hit her. Brianna and I got separated from the other kids and Dan.

Dan made his way through the tour and found them. Brianna and I were pretty nervous about finding the other kids, no knowing that Dan had found them. We made our way down from the abbey on the street of the city. There are many shops and all kinds of food to eat! We kept getting distracted on our way down the city street. We found them at the car which is our previously decided location anytime some people get lost. Still, it was incredibly relieving to find them all there!!

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