Paris Normandy Day 4

Today we docked at the town of Rouen, France.  Rouen is the capital of Normandy.  It is a large town.  Some of it was damaged during WW2 and some of it was not.  I find it amazing that in many of these towns, the great cathedrals stand untouched by the bombing.

I went on an organized bike tour in the morning and rode the bike around town by myself in the afternoon.

amazing churches

market square in Rouen.  On Saturday
the place will be full of vendors.

incredible ornate stone carving
that took hundreds of years.

carving above the door

I loved the gargoyles and dragons.

note in this picture and the next, the water
runs down the roof, across the sloped butress
into the tower and out of the mouth of the gargoyle.

if its raining you don't want to stand
underneath the gargoyle

historic waterwheel used to grind bread.  note the
wooden gates below the man in yellow.
when the gates go down, the water is diverted
towards the wheel.

A wonderful trip with wonderful friends.  We are seeing amazing parts of the world.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

the people that we journey with

I love people.
From time to time we should all stop and just give thanks for the people that we journey with in this lifetime.

The trips that I lead and the travels that I take give me an opportunity to stay in touch with people that I love.  But even if I don't get to see you on a trip, I still love you.

I am glad that love is expansive.  Think of how when we were young we knew just a few people and loved just a few.  Now today, after many years of living, I love people from so many churches and so many places.  Love is expansive.

Anyway, someone [D.E.] asked to see some pictures of who was on this Paris Normandy trip with me.  Here is a delightful bunch for sure.

Fred and Sandy Burry.  Fred always tells me how fortunate
 he has been in life.  I wish more people felt that way.

Lew and Donna Jones.  No KU gear for these two.

Bill and Pam Pogson.  Bill's jokes are as bad as mine.

Fred and Irene Price.  

Rollaine Williams and Vickie Graham.

Kathy Carter and Jerry Snyder.

Ginger Murphy and Gloria Heston.

What we have seen on this trip has been marvelous.  The towns, the history, the scenery.  But the most beautiful thing of this life is who you get to spend it with.  Don't take for granted the people that are in your life.  They are a blessing from God.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Paris Normandy Day 3

Today was a very emotional day for sure.
We visited the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, part of the German defensive positions, and one of the ports where men and material were unloaded after D-Day.

Omaha Beach.  Once the soldiers landed, they had
to cover 200 yards of open beach while under enemy fire.
It seems odd that children are playing on this beach,
but that is what the soldiers were fighting for.  The
freedom to live.

Once they crossed the beach, they came up
against high cliffs with gun emplacements.

One of the german gun batteries.  Original gun still in place.

Once past the beach and the cliff, the fields of France
were fought for one at a time.  As we drove through
the countryside, I thought about the young men
who risked their lives, moving from field to field in a foreign land.

At the town of Arromanches large concrete barges were sunk
by the allies to make an artificial port.  Many of the barriers are
still  there to see today.  The movement of men and material
into France was so important to the war effort.

Crosses at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.

Let us not forget that each cross has a name on it.

I took this video at the cemetery.

I shed more tears today than I have in a long time. I am crying as I write this.  This trip has always been on my bucket list.  My Dad never got to make this trip, but I talked with him today on the beach.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Paris Normandy Day Two

Day two consisted of a tour of the beautiful French town Honfleur and then a bicycle tour of Le Harve.

Honfleur is a beautiful fishing port town.

It was not damaged during WW2.  What a beautiful place.

The old cobblestone streets made walking a little more difficult.

the churches were amazing.

original gate to the city.  Notice turrets on the corners to shoot arrows out.

Accordion player.  Nice touch.  Beautiful atmosphere.

Carousel in the city center

It was market day.  This woman was making and selling bears.

all kinds of flowers, vegetables, and such were for sale in the market.

back to the town of Le Harve for a bicycle tour.

Le Harve is a famous port town.  With so many containers around
from the shipping, someone has turned some of them into apartments.

Looking up into the steeple of St Joseph's church.

Le Harve was totally destroyed during WW2.  It was used by the Nazis
as a submarine base.  It was bombed into almost complete rubble.
One building that survived was the church.  Note these five steps up
to street level.  When the war was over, they simply bulldozed the city.
The new construction is higher than the original city level.  The
historic church is at the pre war level.

Tomorrow we visit the Normandy Beaches and Cemetery.  Sure to be an emotional day.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours

Paris - Normandy Trip Day One

I will not bore you with much detail on getting to France.  You know, drive 90 minutes to Orlando.  Wait two hours to board the plane.  Fly to Atlanta.  Navigate the airport.  Wait two more hours.  Fly 7 1/2 hours to Paris.  Take a bus to the river boat.

The worst part of any vacation is getting there.
Now for the good stuff...

We boarded the river boat, the AmaLyra. 
A lovely little boat that holds 150 passengers.

There were many beautiful sights along the river.

First Stop - the town of Les Andelys

Castle in Les Andelys built by Richard the Lionhearted in 1100.

Lew Jones and I went on a bicycling tour of the town.

beautiful quaint French town.

castle in the background

amazing architecture.

beautiful church constructed in 1100.

carving inside the church.

pulpit inside of the church.  Notice the stairs up. 
The pastors were "up there" and talked down to the people.

A beautiful day all in all.  My legs are sore from walking and riding.  That is good.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....

Treasures of Ireland

July 13-22, 2020

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours