Normandy 4.

Monday, 4th May.

Although overcast this morning, there was no rain and so yesterday's washing was hung out in the breeze and was dry by midday, just in time to be folded up and put away before we headed off with Pam and Col to cycle into Caen.  Pegasus Bridge was a short distance from the camp but we decided to stop on the way back to have a proper look.  It was an easy 10 km or so ride, on a good, flat path alongside the canal and once we'd locked up the bikes, we set off on a walk around.  Perhaps we were in the wrong part of town, or maybe it was the drizzle which had started to fall, but none of us was terribly impressed with Caen so after a coffee each at a cafe and a visit to the supermarket, we set off on the return ride. To begin with the rain was quite light, not really enough to bother us but by the time we reached the Pegasus Bridge, it had become rather heavy so after a couple of quick photos, we pushed on.  Pam & Col were ahead of us and being younger and fitter had soon disappeared from sight.  We were by theñ wet through and concentrating so hard on the path ahead that we missed the entrance to the camp and rode on for a couple more kilometres, turning back once we'd realised what we'd done and feeling foolish as well as being soaked through.  All's well that ends well though, it was an enjoyable day out with good company and once we'd wrung ourselves out and donned warm, dry clothes we felt a great deal better.

Tuesday, 5th May.........Across Country.

After all the rain we had through the night, Boris had become stuck in the boggy ground and required some assistance to extricate himself.  Col ran off to the camp office to ask for help but our very kind Dutch neighbour arrived home and came to the rescue with his tow rope.  We said au revoir to our Kiwi friends, the Dutch neighbour and to the couple we'd chatted to (also from Holland), and headed off into the unknown.  First stop was at the Pegasus Bridge which the Allies had to secure to ensure their progress, doing so before dawn on 6th June, 1944.  They came in by gliders and the first French house liberated is nearby, now a cafe/pub.  Then we drove through gorgeous farming country, stopping in Ecouche for bread and f.a. cream cake and a stroll through the lovely village, into the church which had sustained shell damage during the war.  Just a street away we discovered an aire (not in our book) so we stopped there for lunch and a stroll to the nearby river before continuing on to our overnight stop at another aire, in Fresnay sur Sarthe.  There was no rain today, the sun shone brightly from time to time and if the wind drops sometime soon, it will be perfect!