Happy 10th birthday D.
The first to become a 2-digit midget Keep your stick on the ice.
The first to become a 2-digit midget Keep your stick on the ice.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
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.
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.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Le Mont St. Michel: The Giant Hamster Wheel
I had been wondering, as I wandered through St Michel, how in the world they managed to get all that stone up the hill.
The answer was a giant hamster wheel. The ropes in the photo were perhaps 2" in diameter. And the wheel was 12-16' in diameter.
Here, slaves, prisoners or monks would walk to bring up supplies and building materials via the ropes.
And, I thought I had a bad job!!
The answer was a giant hamster wheel. The ropes in the photo were perhaps 2" in diameter. And the wheel was 12-16' in diameter.
Here, slaves, prisoners or monks would walk to bring up supplies and building materials via the ropes.
And, I thought I had a bad job!!
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Le Mont. St. Michel: A Corridor
It is difficult to fathom how many thousands of people have walked these halls over a thousand years.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Christmas Eve: 2018
My sincere hope is that all have had a wonderful 2018. And that tonight, you can go to bed, rest, and be thankful for what you have.
Keep safe and warm.
And enjoy those around you.
Keep safe and warm.
And enjoy those around you.
Le Mont St. Michel: The Interior
Arched wooden ceilings!
I am amazed at how all the stone was moved to the top.
I am amazed at how all the stone was moved to the top.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Le Mont St Michel: The Top
At the top.
I am uncertain when this was completed. But, I know it was started in the 8th century as a monastery. It was so well positioned from a military perspective, that even during the 100 years war, a small garrison held off a full attack by the British in 1433. The tide would wash away and drown soldiers in the tidal flats.
Louis XI turned it into a prison. I don't think anyone ever escaped. Although, I wonder if the escape were timed to hit at low tide, a person should be able to make it! Assuming, of course, they weren't caught in the mud!
I am uncertain when this was completed. But, I know it was started in the 8th century as a monastery. It was so well positioned from a military perspective, that even during the 100 years war, a small garrison held off a full attack by the British in 1433. The tide would wash away and drown soldiers in the tidal flats.
Louis XI turned it into a prison. I don't think anyone ever escaped. Although, I wonder if the escape were timed to hit at low tide, a person should be able to make it! Assuming, of course, they weren't caught in the mud!
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Le Mont St Michel: Well, Hello There
I met this when rounding a corner on a circular stairway!
How in the heck could anyone move and fight in that!
How in the heck could anyone move and fight in that!
Monday, December 17, 2018
Le Mont St. Michel: The Rooftop Perspective
There were a number of small circular stairways that left the small path. Using them, one you get to the top a bit quicker. But, it was a steep and very narrow climb walkway!
This wall was over 40' high. It was mammoth! Amazing! I can't imagine the engineering efforts and manual labor it took, much less the years, to construct this!
This wall was over 40' high. It was mammoth! Amazing! I can't imagine the engineering efforts and manual labor it took, much less the years, to construct this!
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