Normandy

These days when you visit the beaches of Normandy, there are a few memorabilia from history in combination with what is happening today.

These two pictures tend to speak for themselves, especially for those familiar with their history.

On the left are two of the gun emplacements that lined most of the coast line of France following the invasion of that country by the Germans in World War II. These guns were strategically placed to enable the defences that the Germans established following their conquest. Before the allied armies could land safely on the beaches at Normandy these weapons had to be put out of action. As can be seen the actual emplacements were heavily fortified and strengthened concrete bunkers. If you go and visit these sites you will find most of them more or less still in place. You will also see why they are in place and why they could neither be shelled or bombed out by the Allies with the technology that was available at the time. It was thanks largely to some commandos and some of the 'Resistance' fighters that these large and difficult defences were eliminated before the landings in Normandy. The history is fascinating and when you see what people were up against you will be able to appreciate at least a little what took place there.

The remaining picture on the right looks out at the mobile harbour that the allies floated right up to the beaches they were concrete piers that were floated across the English Channel and then sunk into place so that ships could dock and unload their cargoes.

When you go to the beaches at high tide it seems almost impossible to believe that anyone would be able to land and fight their way ashore. When you go at low tide and see how far the beaches extend you begin to get an idea of why these sites were chosen.

As you swim and play on the beaches these days the memories of the war so long ago usually would not come to mind - but these lasting concrete reminders are there to tease the minds of the younger generation about what actually happened and how the freedom that they currently enjoy was 'earned' through the valiant efforts of their ancestors.

Well worth a visit for just the historical reasons. The current attractions also include some of the best cheeses in France along with cider, fantastic fruit and of course some fine seafood.

Bordeaux again

Recently I featured a nice square in Bordeaux as one of the nicest in the town. This square could be one of the more interesting. Set next to a church virtually as you enter town and in the middle of what has become an area heavily populated by people of the Muslim faith, it is a trash and treasure market that is held every day.

The square is surrounded by restaurants and take away food eateries that feature middle eastern foods and the conversation in the square is as often as not filled with the sound of Arabic with various dialects in evidence. You are likely to hear the occasional French spoken, but I suspect that you would be more comfortable if you can speak Arabic.

Wonderful atmosphere and occasionally a real bargain!

When you enter Bordeaux from the highway from St Emillion and some of the other wineries you will find yourself in a street named after Victor Hugo. This square is just past the first block on your left and if you continue down Victor Hugo you will note a large under cover parking area on the right hand side which is situated just over the fresh meat and vegetable market with a long pedestrians only street immediately outside the car park.

All in all an ideal place to start your exploration of Bordeaux where everything is either within walking distance or within easy reach by the tram system