Day 12 - Rouen
Saturday, June 18th, 2016
Laughter
There is probably no
better word that laughter that can be used to describe our group and the fun
that we have when we travel. Laughter is
almost always heard from someone no matter what the situation. Rain or shine and we have had lots of rain
lately, we still laugh. As a matter of
fact someone said they could always tell where the Canadian’s were because they
could hear us laughing. I’m not laughing
at the moment because I had this blog update done when my computer crashed and
I lost it and am doing it again – but that’s life.
This morning we all
enjoyed not getting up early as we indulged in a leisurely morning of cruising
along the Seine. The ship arrived in
Rouen early and a few of us who were doing an optional tour in the afternoon
walked around the town on our own. The medieval city of Rouen is the historic
capital of Normandy. We walked through the old town centre where we saw the
spectacular Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral often painted by Claude Monet, and the
famous Gros Horloge, a 16th-century astronomical clock. We felt transported
back through time as we walked among the half-timbered buildings. Finally, we
visited the 14th-century courthouse where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death
and the nearby Market Square where she was martyred and we went inside the new
church which is quite spectacular with an innovative design and beautiful windows. After seeing so many old Gothic churches it
was nice to see a beautiful modern building.
This afternoon 6 of us did an optional excursion to
a Normandy farm that grows apples and make a delicious cider and an apple
liquor. To keep the grass in the
orchards under control they have a heard of sheep and two hard working border
collies who herd them. The demonstration
of sheep herding was wonderful. The two
dogs effectively herded about 200 sheep following the commands of their
master. We learned all about the process
of making cider and we tasted the products as well.
We arrived back in time for dinner. I tried the halibut tonight but it was not
like any halibut I have ever tasted – better stick with the steak.
Tomorrow may not be a day for laughter as we head
for the beaches of Normandy. I suspect
it will be a day filled with deep emotion.
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