Last post at Sword Beach

Yes, we were woken early by the market setting up.  It was about 6.10am.  The good news was that the stalls were set up across the road and not immediately next to us but there was no chance of sleep as they were parking their vans around us after they set up.  By 7am we had had breakfast and were on the road north.

We skirted Le Mans and were tickled to find it was twinned with Bolton.  We wondered which aspect of Bolton was considered to be similar to Le Mans.  Maybe it was the  Bolton 24 hour flat cap and whippet race that sealed the twinning process!

Our coffee stop was at a town called Argentan, between Allencon and Caen.  It was pleasant enough. The church was bombed by the allies in 1944 and has been rebuilt....

It looked a bit frayed at the edges but was quite a large imposing church all the same.

Lunch was at an aire de camping at Caen.  

I managed to follow French convention in my cheese cutting!  Janice broke all the rules and cut the point straight across.....such a disgrace!

We didn't fancy Caen much for staying and Janice had the inspired idea to stay somewhere on the coast.  We picked Lion-sur-Mer west of the port of Ouistreham (sounds more Dutch than French).  Our final destination is a car park overlooking the sea and what was known as Sword Beach in the D Day landings in June 1944.  

This view is immediately outside our camper van, next to a promenade that goes to Ouistreham. We are enjoying our last day of French sunshine.

We cycled both ways along the coast seeing several memorials to the Second World War Beach landings at Sword and Juno Beaches.  We read how Scots Piper, Bill Millin, piped the Commandos ashore.  Stirring stuff.

Back at the van we set about eating all the stuff we had left over.  We will actually have one more night in the UK as we travel up.  Whilst writing the blog about Bolton, the thought prompted me to play some Lancashire Hotpots songs.  Janice and I have actually been to one of their concerts.  I say this because I know some of you will be thinking, 'poor girl', being forced to listen to this stuff.  Anyway, we listened to some of their classic songs like, 'He's turned EMO', 'Keys, Wallet, Phone' and 'Chippy Tea'.... such classics!

We have another early start to get the ferry but we are certainly set for home.  We have had another great adventure.  We hope you have enjoyed the blog and look forward to seeing you all soon.

You thought I had forgotten the sneezing contest.  Well I haven't.  It is another resounding series victory for me by 13 - 9.