Set off for our visit to the Normandy beaches and Bayeaux. We took a coastal route and realised quickly how beautiful French seaside resorts were, compared to British. I love Padstow for instance, but Honfleur knocked it into a cocked hat. Beautiful and honest. Touristy but with intellect. We only stayed an hour but could have stayed a week. The seafood alone looked spectacular. On we went through other resorts of equal quality. Weather was changeable but mostly dry and sunny. Bought a huge quiche and millefuielle each. Outrageous sugar and pastry intake. We wanted to sleep it off immediately afterwards. Onwards to the Normandy beaches. First Sword, then Juno and Gold and finally Omaha. Most were populated by sunbathers and kids enjoying the waves, which is as it should be. On Gold beach the remains of the Mulberry Harbour sit in a barely discernible ring. I can only imagine what it looked like when full of ships and soldiers. Further round we visited the American Cemetary with it's huge visitors centre. Orientation movies really set the scene and my resistance to American shmaltz soon became tears as you realised the personal sacrifice and the size of the Cemetary. It was beautifully and peacefully done. On to Bayeaux where we checked into our second Chateaux. Staff were frosty but room was incredible. Chandelier topped out a spectacular bedroom but bathroom was equally as big with a shower like a carwash. Italian meal in town then slept like a baby.