Noel, Perry and I had a wonderful golf game at Golf D’Etretat yesterday, which is the site of the amazing cliffs we visited the previous day. I am so glad we decided to play! The course is a historic landmark, due to the locale. I would rate the course quality as a mid level course back in the states, mid level difficulty, not very long, but extremely tough rough. The views were spectacular, and the wind wasn’t as bad as we anticipated.
We played well considering the gear we had, archaic rental clubs (not even a full set), no golf shoes, and unable to determine distances very well, as the markings were all in meters rather than yards that we are accustomed to in the states. We were all paranoid about losing balls off the cliffs and bought too many, but at least I can put them to use later, maybe even in Barcelona! The weather was overcast but not too cool, the course not crowded, and I squeaked out a victory over the boys by a few strokes!
We walked down into the town of Etretat after our game, a nice village on the shoreline with views of the cliffs, shoreline, and sea. We had lunch at a quaint, truly French restaurant, La Flotille, and it was definitely the right choice. The cook stove was part of the dining room with a large stone fireplace and open flame. All meat was cooked there over a wood burning fire. The food was so fresh with beautiful presentation. Noel had lamb chops, Perry had fish soup, a large steak with potatoes. I loved my mixed greens with walnuts and vinaigrette salad with goat cheese on toast and a crepe filled with ham, cheese, and mushrooms. We all shared a pear tart which was absolutely perfect, similar to “pie”, but not so sweet, crisp, fresh crust – delicious!
On Sunday we took a two hour bus ride to one of the most historic sites in world history, the beaches of Normandy. It is hard to fathom being in the region where World War II actually took place. It is Father’s Day, and ironic that our itinerary has this visit scheduled for today. My Dad was in the navy during World War II; he has been gone almost nine years now, I miss him terribly, but am reminded of his honor in serving our country during that time - I am so proud to be his daughter.
We first visited the Omaha beaches, serene and beautiful. Two memorials stood in honor of the fallen allied troops that came in on D-Day, June 6, 1944. I am pictured here with Nicole, who is also in my project group and from New York.
The American Cemetery was next on the itinerary, and it was a visit I will never forget. The museum presented artifacts, testimonials, and so much education about the events. It was so well put together, a great source of information and foundation laid before the breath taking cemetery experience. The Normandy American Cemetery is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemeteries on foreign soil. The government of France granted use of this land, in perpetuity, as a permanent burial ground without charge or taxation.
The view of the ocean is so beautiful, an overlook to the beaches of Omaha and English channel; an appropriate resting place for those who gave their lives for the people of the land. There is a touching inscription at the entrance to the cemetery as follows…
“If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for conquest, it could be found in these cemeteries. Here was our only conquest… all we asked….. was enough soil in which to bury our gallant dead.”
The cemetery is 172.5 acres with 9,387 headstones. It was a humbling experience.
We took a short bus ride to Arromanches, another section to the beaches where the D-day invasion took place. We stopped here for lunch and some shopping. The interesting thing about the beach at this town is there is no harbor for boats, so false harbors were constructed for the allied troops to utilize upon arrival. The remains exist in the water still, a haunting reminder of that historical event.
In route back to LeHavre, we made a quick stop in Hon Fleurs, the hometown of Clementine, one of our guides who is also employed by the Normandie Business School. It is a beautiful town, right on the water. There were so many cafés, the epitome of what you think of in France. The weather was perfect, it is Father’s Day, so there were people everywhere. It is a place I hope to visit again someday when I can enjoy it more fully.
We are back at school tomorrow (Monday), more lectures and work on our project, with a tour of Port LeHavre in the late afternoon. We leave for Paris on Wednesday. I have truly enjoyed LeHavre, so much history in this region and beautiful surroundings.
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