wren

Actually, I always do most of the driving, and he does the navigating with his GPS-equipped laptop. So that wasn't an issue, thank goodness. The lifting of things was difficult, but since our daughter was along, it was manageable. Also, fortunately, DH broke his left arm and he is right-handed, so he was able to lift with that arm. I did cut up his food for him at first in the restaurants...which we laughed about!

lyb

what a great report, I'll be doing a similar trip in a couple of months.

Isn't your husband the 2nd Fodorite to get hurt in Brugess, if I remember correctly. Now, I'm getting paranoid

You definitely seem to have the right attitude about it.

Can't wait to read more.

seetheworld

wren, I am enjoying your very interesting report! What an experience for your and your husband Looking foward to reading more. Thanks!

wren

DAY 8 The next day was fresh and crisp as we walked to a clinic and had DH's arm examined to make sure there was no infection. (20 euros) After more walking around, browsing in some adorable shops, and a few pictures of quaint Honfleur, we decided to go to Trouville to Les Vapeurs for an absolutely wonderful lunch! The seafood was heavenly…as was the light rose’ and tarte tatin that we shared. All this good food helped DH take his mind off his arm! We drove to Caen and stopped at the Peace Museum for the rest of the afternoon…a very impressive and worthwhile stop. Then on to Bayeux, staying at the Logis de Remparts. We had two rooms attached for 80 Euro and it was quite comfortable for us all. (well...not everyone...DH did not sleep well for the remainder of the trip as it was impossible to find a comfortable position) A dinner of Gallettes with mushrooms and cheese, salad, and cider, and we were ready for a nice stroll back home.

DAY 9 The next morning, we head out early to meet Roel, our DDay guide. This was money well-spent as he spent more than nine hours with us telling us the history of the area, with anecdotes, driving us all over the place. We really could not have done this alone and enjoyed things like we did. As we walked Omaha, the clouds became darker and the fierce wind blew rain into our faces, and somehow, it just seemed fitting that the weather was that way. All of us realized we were walking on hallowed ground. We couldn’t fathom how wave after wave of soldiers came to that exposed shore. So many plans went awry. It is truly a miracle that any of them survived!
That day we saw Arromanches, Longue sur Mer, Omaha and Utah Beaches, St. Mere Eglise, Port en Bessin, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetary. The carillons played the songs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines at noon, a very sweet sound. We have also seen the American Cemetary of the Pacific in Hawaii, and it is very similar to this one…

Back in town, we have a delicious dinner at Le Pommier. DD and I had a delicious salad, fish with a wonderful sauce, rice, broccoli. She had apple ice cream with calvados…to die for! I had a delectable chocolate mousse. Mark had the DDay menu which was supposedly offered to Americans who were in the area during the war: sausages, steak, frites, a Trou Normande (apple liqueur), and an Tarte Tatin with crème fraiche. (A real sturdy meal!) Coffee for all, and we are all happy campers!! A walk back to our room and we see the beautiful cathedral…that will have to wait for tomorrow!

Chele60

What a beautiful report! So sorry for your husband, but at least things were taken care of and you all seem like such good troopers! Kudos to the entire family for that!

Rental cars are funny, yes? I rented a VW Bug once and couldn't find reverse - nothing makes you feel more stupid. Another time I couldn't locate the release for the gas tank! I finally figured out it was somewhere in the glove compartment, but needed my pocket mirror to find it! Oh, the things to check for!

Will be looking forward to the next installment!

wren

DAY 10 BAYEUX TO MONT ST. MICHEL We spent our last morning in Bayeux at the market. I purchased a necklace and hair clip (not an expensive “Le Clip!!)…then we went into the magnificent cathedral, and afterward stopped for a great lunch at a little place called L’Assiette Normande. Le Menu for 12 euro included a nice glass of wine, main dish, amd dessert. More apple desserts…tarte Normande…yummy! The Bayeux Tapestry was our afternoon destination…amazing! That afternoon, we packed up and headed off to Mont St. Michel. We heeded a Fodorite’s (I believe it was Patrick--thank-you!)advice and packed our carry-ons so we could leave the big luggage in the car. I had been quite apprehensive about driving up to the Mont, but it is really very obvious what to do and we had no problems whatsoever. We arrived around 6 when the tide was just beginning to come back in and the busses were going out! Good timing! The howling wind beat us around a bit, but it just made us even more determined to get up those stairs! We had stopped at a Hyper Champion to get picnic supplies. After a sumptuous feast in our room, we headed out to explore this most awe-inspiring place! Breathtaking! Magical! Seeing it in the evening without crowds is the way to do it! A cellist played in one area. Down to another alcove, someone is playing a grand piano. Just lovely! Now back to the room for a good sleep at the Auberge St. Pierre right on the mont…a great plan staying right there at 128 euro.

ira

Hi DA,

>...a list of what to do before you leave with a rental car ...<

Photograph existing dings, etc.

How does one:

Open the hood,
Open the trunk,
Turn on the headlights,
Turn on the turn signals,
Open the gas cap,
Check the oil,
Check the transmission fluid if Auto,
Operate the jack (Where is the jack?),
Fill the windshield washer fluid,
Move the seats back and forth.

DeborahAnn

thanks ira, I knew you would come up with something, I am looking forward to tapping your "fountain of knowledge" of Italy soon Deborah

wren

Deborah, we will tap that fountain together

LoveItaly

And to add to Ira's great list, make sure there is a spare tire (so the jack can be put to use if necessary).

Betsy

Another suggestion for Ira's great list: Make sure you know what <i>type</i> fuel your car requires (diesel, unleaded, etc.) and the name for that fuel, which may vary according to country.

wren

You all always make things so logical...like, &quot;Why didn't I think of that?&quot; Well, this time I will use my DH as my excuse!!! (Milking it for all I can!!)

LoveItaly

Wren, do you mind if I ask if you had purchased medical insurance for Europe or not? And if not was the hospital bill for your husband terrible? I hope my question is not intrusive. I have never purchased travel insurance but I am thinking about doing it the next time I go to Italy. Last time I was there, thanks to a dear friend, I ended up falling off a curb and really hurt my knee right before I flew home. Thanks to KLM giving me three seats (they moved the other two people that were in the middle and window seat as fortunatly the plane was not 100% filled) I was able to more or less be comfortable flying home but it certainly gave me an insight how quickly something can happen. I hope you do not mind my question.

Also, you and your family are fantastic. I cannot believe how you continued on with your trip. Your dear husband is a hero in my eyes as you are. I am so sorry to read of his accident.

I have so enjoyed reading your report. So many good details and lots of information. I sure hope your husbands elbow is going to improve over time. Best wishes to all of you.

wren

Gosh, you guys, thanks for your nice words! My husband loves to travel as much as I do, and I guess he thought if he was going to be in pain, he might as well be in Europe enjoying the beautiful sights than at home staring at the four walls!! Had I been the one who had the broken arm, the outcome might have been much different! Even he was glad it happened to him and not to me!
LoveItaly, I have no problem answering your valid questions and I don't think they are intrusive. We have health insurance here (I called them immediately and they said just save all of your receipts and we will be reimbursed). We did not purchase travel insurance. The B &amp; B has insurance for this sort of thing, they have been in contact with their company, and are sure there should be no problem being reimbursed by them. Actually, we have had no bills at all from the hospital...I do not know why, but they just discharged my DH and said good-bye. We have had subsequent doctor visits, medication, and now Physical Therapy costs.
I am going to tell my husband your very kind words...

DeborahAnn

Wren, we had something similar happen to us in that it involved my husband taking a fall(men just are not as coordinated as we ladies) while we were in France. We had no bills resulting from his ambulance ride and stay at the hospital (severe shoulder separation which required a soft cast for the remainder of our trip) but I thought it was because it had occurred at CDG and they assumed financial responsibility. It is interesting to read your post because my DH was to be the driver and I the navigator. Because he was unable to drive we missed some of the places that I knew to look for on our map and he did not. Ironically our trip was to Normandy also. We stayed in Bayeux, drove to Mont St. Michel, can't wait to see where else your travels take you on this trip. The one good thing is we did get to Giverny as DH's fall was the following day. I loved driving in the French countryside and DH was so jealous. Waiting to hear more, please. Deborah

wren

DAY 11 DINAN The next morning we got ready to go quickly…but early-rising DH noticed that tour busses were already arriving at 7:00!!! Droves were coming in as we were leaving by 10:30. Good plan we had! Off to Brittany for an evening in Dinan, after a look around St. Malo. Perhaps we did not see the right part of St. Malo. We explored the medieval part of the town, but compared to Dinan, we were not impressed. Arrival in Dinan was a little strange. The location of Logis de Jerzual was on an incredibly steep street…a little tricky to ascend with a stick shift, pedestrians everywhere as well as a narrow street, but I took it slow; I didn’t hit anyone or anything, making it to our sto, I pulled the emergency brake as tight as I could!! Our room “Pastorale” was cute, with a fairly modern bathroom and a great shower! (85 euro for a triple) Then,a casual walk around town cruising down narrow streets and popping into shops when we could. The bridge over the Rance is awesome...what a view! We love the architecture with the half-timbered houses. We ate dinner at “La Cottage” on the same street as our B &amp; B. The menu was 19 euro, plus the cost of a wonderful red wine, Bourgeuil, I think. I had a brochette of steak with green pepper sauce, Mark had a tureen of fish, and Liz had a mild fish fillet with fresh vegetables. My dessert was wonderful…fromage blanc with raspberry sorbet and raspberry coulis. DH's arm is bothering him, and it was late, so we walked back up our steep street and turned in for the evening.
Tomorrow we arrive at our friend's house in the Western Loire.

hopingtotravel

Topping for more (and an update on the arm).

wren

Thanks for your interest. DH just completed his 3rd session of Physical Therapy yesterday. He is able to straighten his arm to about 150 degrees from totally straight (180). When it first happened, he held his arm rather high on his chest, so he has made a lot of progress. (The accident happened 4 weeks ago yesterday.) He has to do exercises 3 times a day. He is in less pain now than during the trip, thank goodness, except when the therapist pushes the daylights out of it!
I will submit more of the report soon!

ira

Glad to hear that DH is progressing well.

wren

DAY 12 We are eager to get to our friends’ home in the Loire-Atlantique, and arrive mid afternoon. After a memorable reunion, everyone gathers around the table for a wonderful long home-cooked French meal with fabulous wine and great company. We turn in late to our quite comfortable gite on their property.

DAY 13 Our friend, Estelle, and her cousin take us to Nantes for the afternoon to show us around this busy, bustling, student town. People everywhere! Various crepes for a late lunch with cider and after walking all afternoon, we head back to our gite for a rest before a big night. Estelle and her family took us to “Puy de Fou” for the evening. We had only a small idea what to expect. Busses from all over France bring people to see this spectacle which is performed by a huge volunteer cast. It is quite a big deal! The even begins at sundown…around 10:45. We learned the rich history of the Vendee region, from Medieval times to present. The people are obviously quite proud of their heritage. The lighting, sets, music, and cast of people and animals were absolutely phenomenal and we were thoroughly impressed!

Although the show is over at about 1:00 AM, the night is still not over! The eight of us hop in our cars and head out for another cultural adventure!! It just so happened that this weekend, La Tessoualle, the village nearest our friends, gets together in an annual celebration with its twin city from Germany, Zwiefalten. Hundreds of people are still there partying (we're talking 1:30 in the morning folks), drinking beer and wine, eating German sausage, fries, and bread. What a blast!! My husband went to buy some food and described what he wanted…all those foods separately. Instead, he got something we had never heard of before: an American sandwich which is made up of sausage and fries on the bread!!! We thought that was hilarious! OK, we understand that Europeans think our American diets are strange and fattening, but we don’t eat fries on bread for crying out loud!!! After lots of fun, we don’t get in our beds till after 3:00 that morning…(we never stay up that late, but this evening was so much fun), we never even thought of the time! In fact, DD didn’t come back with Estelle until after 4:30 in the AM!!! PARTAY!!