A large day today and no place to start other than the beginning.

We woke up to a delicious French breakfast of bread, cheese, jam, croissants and tea at our adorable B&B(La Naomath, five minutes outside of Bayeux but absolutely worth it for the character and price, wish we could stay longer). After packing and paying we called the taxi company we used to get there yesterday as they advertised a flat rate to get to the Canadian War Cemetery and Juno Beach Centre which was our reason for visiting Bayeux. First stop was the cemetery. I feel inadequate attempting to explain what I felt there. It's not an ostentatious display in fact, by the trees and countryside it felt very similar to Ontario in late spring, which to me seemed very right for our fallen. I felt at peace, full of sorrow, that they had to die, and full of pride at the sacrifice they made wearing the same uniform I do. Very complex place emotionally I guess but I'm very glad we went. The Juno Beach Centre was very well done, unfortunately had larger groups tramping through, even before the season really begins, but I guess that's how they make enough money to stay open and educate people so I can't really argue. Great exhibitions and information inside, definitely worth a visit. For me however the more powerful place was the beach. There's no monuments or ornaments as it were at the water, but knowing what happened there, picturing thousands of ships as I looked across the water then turning around and imagining trying to run across the sand with gunfire, screams and explosions all around... Powerful stuff.

We digested our visit on the ride back to Bayeux and decided the best thing would be to have some lunch. Had some delicious crepes and wine after which Sus went to check out the cathedral. This left me to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams, sipping a cafe au lait at a table outside a cafe, in France, doing a crossword. Don't ask me why but I've always wanted to, and it was as satisfying as I had always imagined it. If only I was still smoking I could've passed for a local hahaha.

Once she was done we hopped on the train again to carry on our travels, this time to Rouen. I must say that though I miss the freedom of choice of having a car, I love getting to watch the scenery roll by and I ADORE the countryside here. All the beautiful old buildings and towns and rolling fields and forests... Amazing.

Arrived in Rouen and were a little turned around making our way to the hotel, luckily despite thinking we were on the opposite side of the river, we were still headed in the right direction. Once we found the hotel, got the inside scoop from the concierge about where the locals eat. Again got ourselves lost heading there but were in the right area and found a place that served you a literal pot of mussels for cheap and decided we had found heaven. So we gorged ourselves on mussels and local cider. After a very satisfying meal we headed back and again got the skinny on where the farmers market is tomorrow for fresh made brekkie and hopefully some cider or Calvados! That's all for us tonight, more to come tomorrow!