Back on Aussie Soil

Have settled back in to Canberra, the shorter days are quite noticeable and the weather is definitely colder with lots of minus 4's and frosty starts in the morning. It is nice to be home though and I am enjoying the routine of home life. Have enjoyed going for some nice walks and enjoying the local Canberra scenery.

One of my favourite walks is around Tuggeranong Hill. You get nice views across the valley in different directions. It was a foggy morning but the fog was lifting and turning into a nice sunny but cool day.

Lovely Aussie Bush

We walk the dogs each morning, Bill remembered he had his fluro had with a headlight that my sister in law gave him when we were in Ireland last year. It is actually really good, you can see where he and Luna are and it means others can see him as it is still dark when we set off in the morning.

I had to help with the supper for a youth activity at church, Amy was helping me make some scones- we said we were channelling my sister in law Bindi as she does lots of catering. It was a good opportunity to wear our new aprons we brought in Paris at Galeries Lafayette! 

Bill and I had the opportunity to go to a talk at the Tuggeranong Homestead which is about 5 minutes away from our place. I haven't been there before as it is generally not open to the public. War Historian Charles Bean spent about 5 years here writing the Official History of Australia in WW1 so it was nice to go and have a look.

Last Day in Paris

We finished of our time in Paris with a cruise along the Seine and a visit to Napoleon's Tomb and a visit to the Musee de l'Armee.

Another Day in Paris

It was another warm day in Paris, got up to 32 degrees. 

We caught the bus over to the Pantheon and then wandered down the market street of Rue Moffetard, enjoyed the atmosphere of the street and enjoyed a free 10 minute massage in the local square.

  

There are just lovely buildings everywhere

Bottom of Rue Moffetard

The Catacombs under Paris

Paris

Our final destination before flying home is Paris. We dropped off our hire car at CDG airport, had a bit of trouble getting into the spot to drop of the car but eventually got there! Caught a train into the city and arrived at our apartment for the next few days. It is warm in Paris 28 degrees on Saturday and then 30 degrees on Sunday so warm weather to finish of our trip.

So far we have been for a wander along the Seine, had a look at Notre Dame with all its fire damage, enjoyed a crepe in one of Paris's cafes and did a guided tour of the Palais Garnier which is such a stunning building.

We also checked out Galeries Layfayette which is a very impressive shopping centre with a lovely glass interior and a pretty impressive food hall.

World War 2 Tour of Normandy Landing Beaches

Amy and  I did a tour that took us to some of the areas connected with the D-Day Landings in June 1944. It was just a half day tour and it gave us some insight into what went on at that time. Our first stop was at Longues-sur-Mer, where we saw some of the German Guns and Bunkers that were set up to protect the French Coast from invasion when they occupied France

Next stop was Omaha Beach were some of American Troops landed and many lost their lives.

Then we headed to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.

Our final spot was Pointe du Hoc where we saw more guns, bunkers, observation posts. We could also see the craters where the allies bombed the area before the Rangers arrived by boat the scale the cliffs and capture the guns.

Bayeux

We spent three nights in the town of Bayeux in Normandy, It was one of two towns in Normandy that wasn't bombed during WW2 even though it was occupied by the Germans. It was one of the first towns to be liberated after the D-Day Landings. It is a lovely medieval town, with a lovely cathedral. We went and saw the famous Bayeux Tapestry- which according to Amy should be called an embroidery!

Streets of Bayeux

The Bayeux Cathedral

The original homes were half stone and half wood

 A former convent now home to the Bayeux Tapestry