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My 5 day tour in Normandy (Orne and Calvados) is now done. Some stats, including the initial day from Romsey to Portsmouth:
The whole route in Normandy can be seen here.
Drizzly start, but sunny intervals throughout the day.
Three short climbs en route to Bayeux.
With only 66km to cover today and arrival at the ferry port not due until 22:30, I'd planned to spend a few hours in Bayeux. First the tapestry (actually an embroidery). As anyone who visits it next year in the British Museum will see, it's an exciting and revealing storyboard, depicting the Norman conquest of England nearly 1,000 years ago.
The story is told from the perspective of William and his brother, the Bishop of Bayeux. We see Edward pledge to pass the throne to William "the bastard" and then we see Harold renege on that promise , claiming the crown for himself. We're shown the construction of a fleet of boats and the Norman superiority and bloody triumph at the place now known as "Battle", near Hastings.
I read a little about the various theories as to where the tapestry was made: Canterbury, Wilton, Winchester or even here in Bayeux. Also that the colours (surely much brighter a millennium ago) come from dyes derived from 3 plants: woad (le pantel), madder (la garance) and weld (la gaude). All new to me.
Next stop the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Baron Gérard (MAHB) located in an ancient former episcopal palace. Amongst their paintings I was particularly struck by the work of Gustave Caillebotte.
The Michelin guide leads with their collection of porcelain. Most of it was not at all to my taste, but I did spot this jug.
For me the most unexpected and interesting exhibit was the perfectly preserved episcopal courtroom. A beautifully proportioned chamber of finely crafted wood and marble.
After lunch I found the coast about 12km north east at Asnelles.
Round to Courseulles and a succession of small towns and commemorations of the Normandy Landings on June 6th, 1944 on the beaches codenamed "Gold", "Juno" and "Sword".
A long teabreak at a bar/tabac at Lion-sur-Mer turned out to be an entertaining stop. The bar is situated well back from the shore and the expensive establishments, right across from the large church. As 6 o'clock approached the bell ringing started up and the clientele had to raise their voices to shouts to be heard. By this time the terrace had filled up with locals, some in work wear returning from their sites (yes on a Saturday), others with dogs or spouses. Each new arrival doled out handshakes and kisses to a good portion of those present. I left at 7pm and apéro hour was going strong.
A slow meander along the shore still busy with swimmers, children and cyclists. Round to Ouistreham where I lingered over oysters and razor clams until time to board the ferry.
Excellent treatment at the port: cyclists boarded the ferry 10 mins before the first motor vehicles.
Last night I had the good luck to dodge the showers cycling in to Vire and back for supper. Rather than embrace the andouillette-- the local speciality sausage made from intestines - - I perhaps lamely opted out, and instead had a huge couscous au mouton. The Moroccan restaurant was efficiently run by one man, who engaged all the clientele in lively conversation whilst rapidly preparing and serving their meals. All his wines are from Maroc, "toujours ! "
Plenty of rain in the night, but turning light at dawn. I must have ridden through 10 showers today, but none heavy or prolonged. A fair amount of stopping to don or remove the cagoule.
The day started with a warming climb out of Vire and then through Coulonces and luminous green fields of corn.
Croissants and tea at Pont Farcyand then groceries and quiche Lorraine at Tessy sur Vire. A good climb up to Les Roches de Ham.
And then easy and varied paths along the pretty Vire all the way in to St Lô. Here, the municipal museum is a real treasure, "worth a detour" in my book.
St Lô was devastated in WW2, called "The Capital of Ruins" by Samuel Beckett, who wrote a poem about the city and worked a volunteer in its Irish Hospital.
The museum has an impressive collection of art and extremely well presented displays of its wartime experiences, and of the post war reconstruction. The museum is well-known for its collection of 11 tapestries from the late 16th century which depict a love affair between a certain Gombault and Macée. From what I understood, this croquet-like game of "tiquet" played a significant role in their courtship.
Now a steep climb up to St André de l'Épine. Up on the plateau the sun came out between showers and illuminated this field of "green manure".
A final stop at the Abbaye Saint-Vigor at Cerisy la Forêt to check out their small sculpture garden.
On the whole I found the work too densely collected into a small space, but I did particularly appreciate this piece by Kenji Takahashi sited in long grass.
Mainly downhill to my campsite where - - joy - - the sun stayed out for the evening.
After 4 nights of hospitality, the summer holidays were declared officially over. We cleaned and closed up the house, and all set off early.
It was a misty and atmospheric woodland journey, retracing the forest paths back to Bagnoles de l'Orne.
Then north west from the Étoile d' Andaine to Dompierre on the Route Forestière du Vivier du Roy.
At Dompierre I was sorry to see the derelict Le Bon Laboreur (The Good Ploughman). It looked like it had once been an ideal watering hole.
Then turning north on V43 past Le Chatellier and on to Flers. More than half the distance to Vire covered by the 10am teabreak. The sun came out and I soaked it up on the low walls of the Château.
Continuing NE for a very steep climb up to Mont de Cerisy which doesn't have much of a view but, as well as rhododendrons in the spring, does have an impressive ruin. In 1870 Lord Burkingyoung had this mock-Tudor mansion built. During the war it was used as a radio base by the Luftwaffe and was destroyed by British bombs in 1944.
A technical descent on a mix of trails and rocky paths before rejoining undulating lanes heading east through Monsecret and Saint Quentin.
Here I used my new Opinel knife for a picnic. Not only had my friends thought to buy me a replacement for the one confiscated in June at Eurostar security, but they'd also engraved it, to help ensure I can hold on to this one for at least the 25 years I managed with the previous one.
After lunch, just a short push on to the municipal campsite of Vire, located to the south of the city. I had plenty of time to get the tent up before a sudden and prolonged downpour. Hopefully I'll be able to get out for supper without a soaking...
After my slap-up supper at Le Lion Verd and a refreshing sleep I set off across rolling country towards Domfront, pausing to pick a couple of apples from one of numerous laden trees by the roadside.
First stop Briouze for provisions at a good boulangerie and a well stocked supérette.
La Ferrière aux Étages, with its lake looked inviting for a stop, but the picnic tables were all in shade and the morning still cool, so I continued on to the little village of Banvou for a pause. This village has had to swap its boulangerie and restaurant for vending machines - - a common exchange in rural France, where villages continue to be hollowed out by large out-of-town commercial developments, particularly the big supermarkets.
Then up to the beautifully preserved historic town of Domfront, for a long lazy break. Tea and locally made Greek baklava.
A phone call to Japan from the ruined castle whilst drying the tent.
A good portion of very fresh goat cheese and a little snooze.
Now back down and doubling back south-east to the Forêt des Andaines.
And through to Les Bagnoles d'Orne for more lolling on the grass in the shade.
A final push through more forest paths east and south to the village of La Pallu for a few days of R and R enjoying the newly installed natural swimming pond and the reliable convivial pleasures of staying here with friends in the Mayenne.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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