2025 Tour Day 13 - Saint Mere Eglise

We did get rained on, but we slept so well it didn't matter. We had a slight reprise from the showers between 7 - 7:45 and got packed up and tent down but then had to take shelter under an overhang by the dish washing sinks for quite a downpour. It is hard to get started with no breakfast and rain, but we pushed on as the skies became lighter and would you believe after two turns, we found a Tabac open, on Sunday morning, serving coffee and warm croissant/pain au chocolat. 

Paradise. And not a dream!

Complete with a cat looking in the window. 

And as we left I had a little chat with the cat, and she says hello to everyone back in Canada. 

The rain clouds were swept away by the wind (yes WIND! But mostly at our backs today) and we followed an impressive bike path away from the coastline. That's the bike path, on the left, beside the road. 

Look blue sky! 

It wasn't long before we came to the crossing of La Siene and the remains of Pont de la Roque. 

Across the new bridge, we saw the first flags commemorating the Allied Invasion. 

The old bridge remains stood beside the new bridge (lest we forget) and there was a small picnic area where we had our breakfast. 

Marc made a friend, asking for a ride on his pannier. 

The ride today was very pretty and on very quiet roads.  Some gravel and some dirt but mostly just old roads with tree canopies.

And as we reached the maximum elevation, we found the wind mills. No kidding, there is enough wind here to power the whole country. 

The little villages were quiet and well kept. We just kept rolling from one small town and Church, to the next small town and Church. 

There were many memorials along the route, mostly for WWII, and many American flags as the US forces landed here. We cycled by a makeshift landing strip used for D-Day and several plaques and flags. 

Our lunch stop was a picnic area across from this ancient religious monument. 

And of course the roads were lined with lovely flowers. I spent much of the day singing "daisy, daisy, give me your answer true ..." 

After a little more rain, and a little more sun, and a little more wind.. we reached Saint Mere Eglise. Our destination. 

The whole town is now dedicated to the US paratroopers who landed here on June 6 1944. It is quite a story (well told in The Longest Day). One of the paratroopers got caught on the Church's steeple and there he was stuck.  The story is told that the Germans occupying the church captured him and he later escaped them. 

The church now has a permanent paratrooper hanging, and a white parachute blowing in the wind, as a reminder of the sacrifices so many made. 

John Steele 

The town now has a hotel in his honour as well. 

We are settled in for the night. 

The first full day of "cycling Normandy" is done. 

These "common" birds just came by to say good night. They sure didn't sound common to me!

Good night.