Birthday French Style

Yesterday we said good-bye to Belgium and returned to France. We were headed for the French coast on our way to Normandy in the following days. We decided it was worth taking the Toll Roads to save a couple of hours on the road and allow us a little more time at our overnight destination. The only positive thing I can say about the Toll Roads is that at least they take our credit card.

There was still traffic and construction to deal with but it was significantly faster, easier driving than taking the side roads. We stopped in Honfleur at the recommendation of our first hostess and it was a very picturesque fishing village with a lot of little shops. I had been watching the clock to see what the best time would be to call Paula and wish her a happy birthday as well. With the 9 hour time difference I wanted to make sure that I caught her before work. I placed my call, she answered and said she had literally just finished a text to me...it hadn't even come through yet. Truly a Twin moment if there ever was one.

We were fortunate that Google Maps worked so well off-line because our lodging for the night was in a very tiny village off of the beaten path as it were. The good news is that it was in an absolutely gorgeous location in a converted 16th century barn and proved to be a very large and beautifully decorated room with a "to die for" view of the countryside. Our hostess spoke no English but was happy to chat into her phones Google Translate app and share stories and local information. We also met her pet rooster who clearly thought he owned the place. Really funny actually.

We hung out for the afternoon, relaxed outside and made a few phone calls. We headed off to dinner at a small coastal town to a restaurant that had been recommended. It was in a beautiful spot and we had the place to ourselves since we arrived just as they opened at 7 PM. The food was wonderful and we enjoyed our 90 minute meal. Afterward we decided to explore a little on our way back to the B & B. Just down the beach from dinner we noticed a small parking area and what looked to be a monument on the hill. We parked and walked up only to be surprised to find that it was a memorial to a B-17 crew that died when their plane crashed at that location.

Very fittingly, on the drive back, we came across a huge field filled with blooming poppies. The light was perfect so we took a chance and stopped in the middle of the one lane road so I could take a few photos. I was really beautiful in a surreal way and seemed so fitting given that we would be at the Normandy beaches the next day.

It was a wonderful Birthday in the middle of a great adventure. Thanks to Scott for picking the perfect location for a special day.