What a beautiful drive. We passed through lush green fields dotted with sheep & cattle plus large corn fields, through magnificent wooded forests and quaint little towns & some bigger ones - La Haye de Routot, Pont Audemer & Marais Vernier. Narrow winding roads with houses (some with thatched rooves) built right up to the kerb. Through swampy terrain, across streams & rivers and over rolling hills.
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| Mini Chapel in a yew tree at La Haye de Routot |
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| Old bakery at Le Haye de Routot |
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| Pont Audemer |
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| Pont Audenmer to Marais Vernier road |
We reached Honfleur late afternoon & settled into our beautiful little B&B. Parked right out front much to our host's surprise (it's a free all day spot & rarely any spots free). Headed to dinner in light rain which soon became a downpour - everyone had to scramble indoors as the canopy over our tables began to leak everywhere. Still enjoyed a beautiful feast of mussels & creme brulee surrounded by happy chatter in French, English, Italian, German.
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| Vieux Bassin - Honfleur |
Woke to fine & cool weather. Headed down to the dock & purchased some nice fillets of Sole for tonight's dinner. They had heaps of fish fresh from the boats including sole, mackerel, tacaud, carrelet, grondin, barbue, turbotin, rouget barbet plus mussels & other shell fish.
Then toddled off on three separate walks to see the sights of Honfleur. First along the promenade to the Seine & to the local beach with good views of the river mouth, Normandie Bridge & Le Havre across the other side. Next we walked up the nearby hillside for a view across the town & the Seine estuary. Found some wonderful bells attached to a frame beside the church which proceeded to chime just as we arrived - beautiful! Finally we meandered through the tiny streets and alleys in the 'old town' (amazing what treasures you find down little alleys?) then sat and consumed a calvados overlooking the marina. Sole & beaujolais for dinner. A very pleasant & relaxing day.
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| Promenade Honfleur |
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| Choccies anyone? |
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| Bells at Honfleur |
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| Jardin du Tripot - Honfleur |
Saturday morning we headed to the Honfleur markets which were spread through many streets. They offered fresh produce, clothing & much more. Purchased some yummy sausages, veggies, fruit, crusty bread & cheese. I also scored a new shirt.
We then enjoyed another lovely drive through the countryside to Entretat on the north coast. Anne dragged me up several pathways to the tops of the stunning white chalk cliffs above the sea. The picturesque town of Entretat is nestled in a gully between the cliffs and is noted for it's pebbled beach, white cliffs & stately mansions.
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| Entretat |
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| Entretat |
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| Entretat |
On the return journey to Honfleur we crossed the massive cable stayed Pont de Normandie bridge over the Seine (over 2km long).
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