Life on the High Plains

We arrived in Le Pecq early on a Monday morning.  I only remember it was Monday because national museums are closed in France on Mondays unless you're on a Viking cruise, then they open it up just for the cruise guests. The Empress Josephine bought the Chateau in 1799 for herself and Napoleon.  The Chateau was in need of massive renovation and repairs and Napoleon wasn't too happy with her when he returned from the Egyptian campaign.  He was furious she had spent so much money on the estate.  She had expected him to bring loads of money back with him from Egypt. After extensive repairs the Chateau brought much happiness to the Bonaparte's. Napoleon's bedroom.  People were undoubtedly much shorter back then.  I think an emperor deserves a king sized bed. Lots of amazing artwork. Josephine's room.  Although it was not done at the time, upper class people had their own bedrooms.  Napoleon and Josephine had quite a romance and it's said they shared he...

 I'm so far behind on my blogging.  I'll try to finish up our Seine River cruise. Our ship, the Viking Kari, left Rouen early in the morning to start our return trip to Paris.  We got to sail for half a day and just enjoy the ship.  Our destination for the day was Les Andelys. Irv and I loved sitting on the Aquavit Terrace at the front of the ships.  We found it much more enjoyable than the large, formal dining room so if a table was available we'd sit out there and enjoy the sunshine.  One day we were out there so long that we got a little sunburned. Beautiful sandstone walls lined the banks of the Seine. Before long we got our first view of Chateau Gaillard which is a medieval castle overlooking the town of Les Andelys.  It was built by Richard the Lionheart in 1196. We disembarked the boat and started off on the walking tour, but before long we left the group and went on our own walking tour. It is a beautiful little village with very picturesque ar...

Our ship spent a second night in Rouen, France.  After an early breakfast we boarded motor coaches for the full day trip to the Normandy Beaches. After a 2.5 hour bus ride we stopped at a D-Day museum which I believe was in Bayeux.   It was beautifully done and had a chronological timeline of the events leading up to June 6, 1944.  It was gut wrenching and emotional, but a story that needs to be remembered and told. After lunch we headed off to the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.  This was our first glimpse of Omaha Beach. This is definitely sacred ground to be honored and respected.  The only close up photo I took was of an unknown soldier. We arrived just in time to witness a wreath laying ceremony that takes place every day. The memorial consists of a beautiful colonnade with a bronze statue in the center entitled "Sprit of American Youth Rising from the Waves".   The cemetery staff asked for a female and male veteran to come forward t...