Day 3: Britain at War

Song of the Day: We got to get out of this place
Distance Driven: 94.1 Miles

Laurie’s bit:

We couldn’t get out of Le Havre fast enough. Sitting in the van, we quizzed each other on why we had decided to go there. Neither of us could remember.

Onwards and upwards then to Bayeux to see it’s renowned tapestry. At only 70cm wide, but 70 metres long, the Bayeux Tapestry recounts the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At almost 1000 years old, you can still see the fine details of the needlework as though it was completed yesterday. It shows the events leading up to the battle (Harold swearing fealty to William, then promptly taking over England at the first chance), preparations for the battle (trees being felled, boats constructed), then sailing across the ditch (the channel in this case) to wage the battle. Horses galloped, arrows flew. Alas for Harold, one (apparently) ended up in his eye, ending his ideas of being top dog in England. The tapestry is quite a sight, and was not marred by the throngs of French schoolchildren.

Cam’s Bit

It seems that Normandy and England have quite a strong connection when it comes to war. D-day (Operation Overlord), the largest invasion in history, was the turning point of World War II. The beaches were or next port of call.

It’s hard to think now that the sleepy little village of Arromanches, on the coast 10km from Bayeux, was the scene of one of the greatest maritime feats ever achieved. Arromanches was the point of invasion for the British contingent of the D-Day force. Once the village and surrounding area had been liberated the floating harbour called Mulberry B (more affectionately known as Port Winston, as Winston Churchill came up with the idea), was pulled into place on the bay in front of Arromanches. Massive floating pontoons were then attached so thousands of men and their machines could come into shore. There are still vestiges of the harbour in place as a reminder. It is a stunningly beautiful village that seems to be stuck in a time warp from 1944. It was an excellent place to spend a quiet night (we were the only people in the camp site).