Lisa injured her hip, and I continue to rehab my shoulder, so we make quite a pair. We recently resumed daily yoga stretches and I ran a couple more times in hopes of being able to join a local soccer club soon. Unfortunately I've had yard work to do in Honeymoon Bay as well as here, and had wasps to eradicate. |
We flew back from Paris and June picked us up from the airport. We drove directly to Auntie Janet's to go out for lunch. The following day we played tennis and had dinner at Karyn's. On the 12th I had a massage and tried cupping for my injured rotator cuff. I then went to Langley for dinner with my family and some of their friends at a Korean restaurant. We returned home to the island on June 13th, but it took us much longer to readjust to the time zone than it has in the past. Robin took us out on his boat "Easy", we hiked Cobble Hill, and attended the CDMS "Family Fun Day" on Father's Day. We watched some of these movies on our flight and a couple while away, but most were in the last three weeks since returning home. I've been ready for summertime for awhile now! My summer reading on the deck is underway... We have booked our next international flights... We will be spending October in Malta and Sicily!
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We got to experience Springtime in Paris. We had to check out the recent damage to Notre Dame (since our Fall trip). We also couldn't believe how much more crowded it was now - I don't even want to imagine the summer months! We wandered some familiar streets, but mostly tried to find new ones to explore. We returned for "Pita Grec" and I enjoyed a beer Seine-side as planned. We pre-purchased tickets to L'Atelier des Lumieres and the "AMIEX" (Art Music Immersion Experience) of Van Gogh. Although normally not a very "artsy" guy, I thoroughly enjoyed the exposition. https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/ There was also an exhibition called "Japanese Dream". Having thoroughly planned our Paris sightseeing when we were here just last Fall, this time was less structured and meant to be less stressful. When we randomly stumbled upon outdoor markets and cheap delicious apricots, I was happy. This feeling was fleeting, however, as I was constantly wondering which way to turn and what we were missing. Although research and planning can be a lot of work, this was proof that it is still the best option for a compulsive sightseer like me.
I remembered, honoured, thanked, and celebrated my own war hero. D-Day officer's order of the day: "When the ramp goes down, get out fast; go like a bat out of hell! Get in close and take cover... Shoot at anything moving... Don't stop to help the wounded even if he is your buddy; the medics will take care of them..." Courseilles-sur-Mer celebrated liberation. Luc-sur-Mer held a ceremony commemorating 75 years since liberation. Lisa and I also watched "Captain Marvel" and "Five Feet Apart".
Today was a big day in history and I am so honoured and privileged to have attended the 75th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Juno Beach. It was great to see the flag waving and the appreciation of the French people who still celebrate freedom and the heroes who liberated them. The ceremony was much like one for Remembrance Day. Many politicians and VIPs attended, but as always, the veterans were the heroes and stars. A parade of youth entered from the beach, 359 in all, one for each Canadian life lost on D-Day. There were several fly-overs, a 21 gun salute, and stirring storytelling. As usual, it was Sergeant Victor Wiebe of the 3rd Div. Intelligence Corps who was foremost in my mind. I was proud to represent my grandfather in some small way and felt that I had fulfilled some sort of duty by making the pilgrimage to the same beach he fought on 75 years ago. Sergeant Norm Kirby garnered the biggest applause when he stood to receive accolades as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his story. Current members of Canada's armed forces joined D-Day veterans and their families on the beach following the ceremony. After having gratefully accepted a ride to the ceremony from our Airbnb host, we decided to walk the 10 km back along the beaches. We stopped at Canada House in Bernieres-sur-Mer, the first home liberated on June 6th, 1944. We checked out the gun turret and monuments in St. Aubin-sur-Mer and caught the end of a British ceremony in Langrune-sur-Mer. We walked the entire stretch of Juno Beach and Sword Beach, taking in the re-enactments, the faux military camps, the vehicle parades, and the fly-overs. What struck me most, however, were those who seemed oblivious to the day's significance - those who were simply enjoying a day at the beach. Initially I was angered at what I perceived as a lack of due respect, but then I realized that this was the entire point - people should have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit, and to enjoy them when possible. Touchingly, importantly, and happily life goes on.
Due to infrequent trains and poor connecting times, it took more than five hours to journey from Mont Saint-Michel to Luc-sur-Mer for our first look at "Sword Beach". Because we stayed four villages east of the Juno Beach Centre in part of what was the British landing section on D-Day, we discovered many Union Jacks and banners celebrating British war heroes. It was nice to see homes flying the flags of the Liberators. We walked along the sea to attend a small parade and display of war era vehicles before doing our grocery shopping and checking out the park.
We made it to Mont Saint-Michel and walked the ramparts, explored the tiny village streets, and enjoyed the views. I sampled local ciders while finding new countryside vantage points. A dam was built to control the flooding of fields due to changing tides. I returned to the virtually empty island to photograph it at night. After a big buffet breakfast, we returned to the area's attraction. We returned to our room prior to the rain to spend a lazy afternoon napping and watching the French Open before walking again for sunset.
We stayed one night in Caen to break up our long train journeys. We happened to be there on a Sunday, so almost everything was closed. The entire city seems to be under construction, expansion, and renewal. The new tram system is supposed to open later this year, but bus routes are currently affected. Our time in the city proved useful for preparing for our later connections. While in Caen, we checked out St. Peter's Church and the castle with its views over the city towards the two abbeys. The city of Caen remembers. The next morning we continued to Mont Saint-Michel.
We spent the morning traveling from Arras to Dieppe, but still managed to walk ALL over the city, seeing all of its sights, in the afternoon. We walked up to see Dieppe Castle and the views afforded by the hill. Next we checked out the beach and walked its promenade. We walked along the quai, the marina, and through the old district. Eventually we found our way to Notre Dame de Bonsecours and the views from the hill on the opposite side of Dieppe than the castle. Back in the centre, we found St. Jacques Cathedral and the city's most popular watering hole before enjoying some raspberry sorbet. Although once again moved to tears and private conversations with the dead, I did find solace in the many letters written by Canadian students and teachers to the soldiers buried in Dieppe. After walking all the way back, we climbed the hill above the castle for views from "Canada Square". We took in the street markets and headed back to the beach, where I couldn't help but reflect on all of the Canadian lives lost here in 1942.
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