Artwork

I have to admit, I did a few double-takes when I saw this.   I love it!

It was sitting outside of an art gallery.  

Our Restaurant Waiter

It is always nice to find a helpful waiter kind enough to help with the language.

The food and ambiance were wonderful.  It was a cold and rainy day.  But, it was warm inside!

A Patron at a Restaurant

I really liked this person's look, and his hat!

He was from Belgium and was touring France with this wife.

My sincere thanks, Sir.

The Door to Anywhere

We were looking for a place to eat and I noticed this door and the color combinations.

I rather liked it.

The Carousel

I rather like that the carousel is universal.

No one was riding that day.  It was raining and a bit cool.   But, I liked this carousel a lot.  

A French Coastal Village

We decided to check out a coastal village about an hour from our cottage. 

Besides the cool, rainy weather, it was lovely.

And there was no shortage of places to eat (see the umbrellas) on the other side of the harbor.

French Candy

Is very weird.

But I rather liked the store decorations!  Alas, she wasn't for sale.   Not even for rent.

WWII Re-enactors

I think Justin Trudeau has a doppleganger!

Seriously, the uniforms were realistic and fantastic

The people I met were excited and thrilled to remember this part of their history.

Tanks and Jeeps!

It isn't every day you see WWII jeeps and tanks in your town square!

Visiting Local Towns near Juno Beach

One of the things that I found most amazing were the number of vintage jeeps, cars, and motorcycles from that time period.

Even the uniforms were authentic.   And the weather didn't seem to deter anyone from dressing up, getting on the motorcycles and heading to town.

Juno Beach Memorial: Poppy

One of the most subtle and stunning memorials was the "river" of "poppies" at the Canadian memorial.  It signified those Canadian soldiers who gave their lives during WWII.

Additionally, there was a screen that scrolled a list of the names of those killed.

Juno Beach: 2

That's a lot of open ground to cover when faced with machine gun fire.

It left all of us somber and respectful.

Juno Beach: A Guided Tour

We decided to engage a local guide, from Quebec, for a tour.   He added a number of pertinent details that we found fascinating and helpful.

And we were able to go into a German "pillbox".  Apparently, soon after the Germans overran France, fortifications were being build along the Normandy coast.   But they were quickly built.  A series of 6 or 8 different types were designed and local commanders could select the type of fortifications they wished.

Most were quickly built.  Most were not fortified enough to withstand heavy shelling.

So, as the thoughts of an Allied invasion became more realistic, the fortifications were beefed up.

It was amazing to stand and peek out of the gun turret. The image above has the turret covered to prevent people from falling inside.  But, below is an image showing the opening for a machine gunner.

Happy Birthday to my Oldest Grandchild.

Happy 10th birthday D.

The first to become a 2-digit midget  Keep your stick on the ice.

Juno Beach: D-Day

Traveling with friends from Canada, it was imperative that we stop and pay our respects to the Canadian soldiers who stormed ashore on Juno Beach, on June 6, 1944.

There was a lovely monument and exhibit where we spent most of the day.

On that day, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division moved ashore.  Over that entire day, over 14,000 Canadians landed.  But, they paid a steep price.   340 Canadians paid with their lives on the beach.  Another 574 were wounded.  At the end of the day, the Canadian forces were further into France than any of the other battle groups.  And, with the exception of Omaha Beach, the Canadians faced the most brutal German guns.

I stood with pride and respect with my Canadian friends.

And I will always stand with them and call them friends.