This really will be short (not my usual long-winded monologue) as we’ll be heading out again to see more D-Day sights in a bit. We’re staying in a really funky 18th century stonehouse with a little courtyard. It smells a little funny but it’s great.

We saw the American cemetery yesterday and it was very sobering. There’s a lot to think about, truly. The French people in Normandy are very kind to Americans – I read that that is because of the incredible sacrifice made by the troops on D-Day. That feeling has lasted almost 70 years…

Sheesh – way too serious here. Scott’s quote for the day: “Everything in France has cheese in it.”

GUEST BLOGGER: Scott:

Sup guys, I’m in France.

Be sure to check out ben’s blog…
www.myquantifiedlife.wordpress.com/
Ben Great Blog

We arrived in Bayeux yesterday.  Today was a Great day in France.  We started the day with croisants and coffee at an croisant dore.  Then we fpund the local ‘farmers market’ or what ever they call it in France.  It was GREAT…. it was about 2 blocks on both sidez of the street.  Then we retrived the van fr the free parking area.  Only Ben could remmber where we parked it.  The it was off to the Normandy beaches.  We went to the WW2 museums and ended at the American cemetary.  Over 9000 grave sires at that location along with many stories about the individuals who gave their lives in the war. 

They had pics of the actual men who were the basis for the saving private ryan movie.  Their actual last name was Niland.
We then visited a grocery store and stocked up on provisions.

Its now time to relax and recover from this tourist stuff.  We are planning on finishing the rest of the WW2 museum stuff tomorrow.

We are here and going to hit the beaches.  Utah .. Omaha and all the other Normandy beaches.  What a beautiful and quaint little twon with little roads.  We rented a van.  The one we rented was not available so they gave us a bigger van.  An 8 seater.  We thought that was great until we got into Bayeux.  The streets are very narrow and confusing.  I am sure I am not getting out of this town without hitting something. 
But what a wonderful town.  Everywhere you look they have what looks like an ancient building.  The church is right in the middle of everything.

Here it is all lite up as we walked back from parking the car in the free parking area.  Parkimg is at a premium around here. 
Also were not in London anymore.  They speak a different language here.  That will be a challenge and much more difficult and gun.  I am hoping to learn some words before we leave. 

Waiting for the 12:57 to Calais

Sausage . Bacon . Egg over easy . and beans . Coffee and toast

Be sure to check out scotts blog page at
www.europenopenopenopenope.blog.com
scotts great european adventure

Its a travel day for us and its sad to be leaving this wonderful city of London.  I especially love the people.  Here you can stand waiting to cross the street and hear any language being spoken by people right next to you.  Not only that but these people look like they could be from portland …

We are taking a train and going underneath the english channel and we will be getting off in Calais France.  We are renting a car there and making a 4 hoir drive to Bayeux where we have a place for 4 nights and going to be exploring the normandy beaches.

We went to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

I wasnt tall enough too see the event.
The rest of the day went
Museum .. Pub .. Museum .. Pub .
You can guess what the highlights were for me …
The first museum was mostly statues and art. It has to be my favorite museum so far. Everywhere you looked there was a place to sit down. Mamy of these museums make you stand alot.

The next museim was at the british library. We saw the Magna Carta and the avtual writings of leonardo daVinchi. Did you know he wrote stuff right to left and backwsrd in Italian. You neede a mirror to read what he wrote (and the ability to read italian). This was so people couldnt steal his ideas … wow …

Today was the churchhill warroom. 
Everyone got a good nights sleep and we were up and out of the house by 11:30.  We stopped at pret a manger a chain coffee shop.  The starbucks of UK.  We then arrived at the war room.  We spent 3 hours learning about churchhill.  It was great and learn alot. 

Then we went to Harrods.  A huge shopping center with very high end type of stuff to buy.  We got in and out very quickly.   Then we had dinner and home exhausted.  This tourist stuff is hard work. 

Heres a picture of big Ben with Scott and Bunny…