Our trip to Normandy

We left boarding on the Eurostar early in the morning. We arrived in the city of Calais. With Greg as the official driver and Greg's dad as the co-pilot we were organized and ready to go! I was the co-pilot in training and Greg's mom was the hostess serving baguette and cheese every few hours. We drove down the cost - or, at least sort of. We stopped at Paris-sur-mer to observe the beautiful hotels/resorts. We also took advantage of the beach and the neat little market they had going in the village.

After the short break - off we were on the road again! For the most part the drive was flawless. Although we did manage to break a toll boot, drive through a red light and drive in a circle for over an hour. Besides all of that - it was all fine! We did find a fabulous hotel on the water overlooking Juno Beach. We would recommend it to anyone visiting the area. That evening we had an absolute feast of mussels and fries in a cozy restaurant! What an unbelievable trip!

The higlight of my trip happened in Lion-sur-mer where I had to ask an older lady for directions to the Juno Centre. Turns out, the troops that liberated her village of Saint-Aubin were from my home town and included my grand father's brother. Upon realizing this, tears came to her eyes as she remembered that day - she was there on D-Day - the day that my grand father's brother was killed. I never felt so close to someone that I didn't know. She spoke of the "North Shore Regiment" as heros. I have never in my life felt so proud to be Canadian and never so proud of my relatives. She explained to me that a monument had been erected in the middle of the village in the memory of the North Shore regiment and that my grand father's brother's name was on it.

Little did I realized when visiting the Juno Beach Centre later that day - that the North Shore regiment played an integral part of the "Overlord" operation which occurred on June 6, 1944 - the day that my grand father's brother was killed. They were part of the very first line which set foot on the beaches.

To top off our already emotional journey, we visited Golden beach where Greg's grand-father fought. Greg's grand father was part of the R.C.A.F. Many times, he spoke to us about his war stories. Although we were all interested back then - it was extremely emotional to see the exhibit at the Juno Beach Centre. Being there on the grounds was special. We all wished that he could be there to once again tell us his stories. Greg's grand father's name is on a brick at the Juno Beach Centre where you can read the words: Faith, Hope, "be traist". These are the words that guided him through life. The brick is located at the top middle row in the front of the monument over looking the water - he would have been so proud.

This journey has been both an emotional and reflective time. It made Greg and I realize how important it will be for us to return with our kids so that they too could appreciate the sacrifices and efforts for our liberty. Let us not forget.

Travel Notes: We stayed at La Cremalliere in Corseuilles sur mer - the price was reasonable and we had a two bedroom apartment overlooking Juno Beach!