April 2008 - Spring Visit to Normandy or "Four go to France" (with apologies to Enid Blyton)

The Weather

With a weather forecast that threatened four days of continuous rain it was an apprehensive start, but once again the weather men were totally wrong and although cold the weather remained sunny throughout the weekend. It was a good omen when a friend offered sea-sickness tablets for the likely rough crossing ,like the weather men ,totally wrong ,the sea was like a mill pond and the crossing was brilliant.

What a Classic

As we waited to board the ferry we were suddenly surrounded by classic cars. A group of around forty cars were also crossing the channel on a long weekend tour of Normandy. We were tempted to spend the night in the onboard garage that looked more like the Haynes motor museum, as can be seen from the pictures.

Last Run for a Great Car

The garage had phoned the day before to say that my new MX5 Coupe had come in, giving me the option of taking the old car or the new one to France. Not being familiar with the mod cons of the MK3, and a woman's view that the copper red would clash with the true red of Pauline and John's, car it was decided to take the old car.

Nice Boat - Shame About the Airing Cupboard!

The Brittany Ferries boat was in general very nice but parking was very tight allowing you to open the car doors just enough to get out of the car, and as for the cabins there's more room in my airing cupboard.

Super Hotel

We had booked a package deal that included 3 nights in the Hotel d'Argouges in the centre of Bayeux, a small typically French hotel that we could not fault and would highly recommend.

Lost?

Strange country, wrong side of the road, foreign road signs, no problem. Kevin and Sharron had loaned me their Tomtom sat nav and just to play safe John had brought his as well. I was well impressed and have now bought my new car its first present, a new Tomtom.

Well Worth a Visit

Caen is probably the best of the ports on the Normandy coast, as it is central to the famous beaches and wartime history. Our tour started immediately stopping at Trouville, and Honfleur the first day before arriving at the Hotel in Bayeux. We spent the second day in the huge open market opposite the hotel, of course we parked the cars just inside the entrance of the hotel and watched the double-take reaction from the passers-by. Later we paid a visit to the cathedral and to the Bayeux tapestry museum.
On Sunday and Monday we toured the coastal resorts, with all its wartime history, before heading back to catch our return ferry.