Day 28 Wednesday 16th June:
Cooler morning this morning – the heater in the van is effective and much appreciated. Left for Falaise by 8.30 am with TomTom taking through some beautiful country lanes and villages of Suisse Normandy. At times he is trying to take us through some lanes too narrow for our van, but we managed. Emailed and spoke with Maddie – we do miss her not having the more regular contact so it is exciting when we do get through.
Gathered our info on Falaise and explored the town, the castle and the centre ville. Falaise was once the stronghold on Normandy against the Vikings and, being at the crossroads of the region, against other not so friendly parties. The castle and the walled-city are perched atop of a bluff above a flat farming landscape. The first dukes of Normandy inhabited a strong fortress here before 1000AD, with William (the Conqueror) being born here in 1027, and went on to become King of England in 1066. Lunched overlooking the moat and the walled-city (ruins).
After lunch we drove to Vendeuvre to visit Chateau de Vendeuvre. A lovely setting with beautiful gardens. Helene went in for a longer visit to view the miniatures, the kitchen and the gardens. It is still in the hand of the 9th Count of Vendeuvre. Helene was most impressed by the house , garden and the working miniatures.
Back to Falaise to walk the walls of the walled-city before heading to Conde-sur-Noireau for dinner and the evening. Another great Aire provided for travelers by the French.
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