Finally woke up to a win by the Buccos. Great effort to win in the ninth 4-3 over the Cards.
Today was a sailaway morning as we headed to Caudebec and so there were many activites to keep us occupied on board the ship. We started a Post Extension Briefing at 9:00, followed by a Disembarkation Briefing at 9:30.
Then on to some fun stuff. The pastry chef and some volunteers demonstrated how to make a Tarte Tatin, a famous apple like pie. After this was a wine tasting explanation along with some gourmet food tasting led by the 3 Program Directors. To say that they are comical, would be an understatement. Although the three had never worked as a team before, their chemistry and personalities meshed well. We tasted cheese, foie gras and some sausages.
By that time it was time for lunch!
Today was a buffet with Gazpacho as a starter and a fruit mousse for dessert.
We arrived in Caudebec arround noon and at 1:15 we headed out for our optional tour of the Cliffs of Etretat. It was just about an hour’s drive through some very beautiful countryside dotted with thatched roofs.
When we arrived in Etretat we transferred to one of the little trains that seem to be everywhere in Normandy for the journey up to the overlook. The Cliffs were jaw dropping. Much like the ones in Dover, they are chalky and have been formed by waves hitting the rock. Between the cliffs is a beach of large rocky pebbles. It was a place where you couldn’t stop taking photos. Monet painted these cliffs a number of times.
On the highest point is the little chapel, Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde. Originally built by the townspeople to honor those fishermen who were lost at sea, the chapel that stands now was constructed in 1950 after the first was destroyed in WWII.
Back in Etretat we walked to the boardwalk and Earle, Barbara and I ventured to the beach and the waters of the English Channel or just “THE CHANNEL” as the French say. It was very tough walking, but we didn’t fall and I managed to stick my foot in the water!
Etretat is a cute little beach town with lots of shops. Part of the optional tour was an oyster tasting. So we met up with the group and walked to La Marie Antoinette, a small family owned restaurant where we had wine, of course, oysters, or shrimp.
By then it was time to head back to the ship in Caudebec. On the way we passed The Chapel Oak in Allouville-Bellefosse. It is supposedly the oldest known tree in France and has amazingly stood through the wars. It was struck by lightning in the 1600s and a hole was burned through the middle. It was then that it was decided to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary and celebrate mass once a year at the tree.
Back on board for the Port Talk and dinner. We set sail around 7:00
Tonight was movie night with the waiters dressed in glitzy vests and the dining room decorated with pictures of Hollywood stars.
We enjoyed:
“James Dean” Shrimp and Apple Cocktail
“Will Smith’s” Corn Chowder with Ham
“Frank Sinatra” Chicken Breast stufed with Posciutto and Mozzarella
Tarte Tatin.
After dinner was the Crew Show that kept us all in stitches.
Up on the sundeck before bed we saw the approach to Honfleur.
No comments:
Post a Comment