Gaga Gargoyles

 Prompted by Jo@ awholeplotoflove, I've dusted off my holiday snaps from Normandy (Already seems like a long time ago!).  Here's the cheeky chappy I was reminded of:

Cheeky Gargoyle

 He's on the roof of the Gendarmerie on the mont at Mont St Michel. Far left in the picture below.

Mont St Michel

There were lots of gargoyles in Normandy, many exhibiting distinctly fierce characterstics. These were on the Palais de Justice in Rouen:

Palais de Justice Rouen

And these appeared to be guarding the Cathedral at Bayeux:

The Cathedral at Rouen had so many appendages it was impossible to capture them all:

Last of all I can't omit this chap, who although not a gargoyle was doing a good job representing all ponies pressed into service on the traditional pressoirs of Normandy.  I'm sure they got there share of apples too after mushing them up for cidre/calvados production.  The mill is planted up with flowers now, but someone had decided to create an homage to the tradition.

Spot the Difference

Digital cameras are wonderful things for recording wildlife - and allowing identification at leisure. The following picture was snapped at la Roche d’Oëtre, in the Suisse Normande area of Normandy about 10 days ago.

I had every confidence that I would identify it on my return home. But before I had done so another allotment blogger (take a bow, Sue) just happened to post a butterfly post:


Sue's post

Serendipity or what:?

It is well camouflaged  - Can you see it in this pic?

The main thing la Roche d’Oëtre is famous for is the head shaped rock.  Can you see it?

or maybe this is it:

Not so sure.  All the same it was a tranquil spot, with some nice wildlife.

Always remember to observe the local bye laws:

French Impressions - (Basse Normandie in two weeks)

Just back from two week away in France.  Here's some of our first impressions:

Bayeux: Home of the Tapestry,  and this Cathedral

From the wide range of medieval cathedrals that had been patched up after WW2 this was perhaps the most impressive:

Rouen Cathedral

 It's so big you can't get it all in one shot!

At closer quarters

There is also a range a wide range of chateaux of varying ages:

William The Conquerer's Castle at Falaise

It's hidden behind massive ramparts - this is about a third of it!

Carrouge-This is just the Gate House!

Another fantastic day trip was Mont St Michel:

Mt St Michel

I must admit to not having heard of the City of Caen before.  It was certainly a revelation:

St Etienne in Caen -

One of Caen's functioning cathedrals

Every town, however scarred seemed to be proud of its medieval centre:

Domfront Cathedral with reconstructed spire

And there were spa towns too:

The Casino at Bagnoles-de-l'Orne

There was heritage, and (working bells) in every village

Our local village church!

We even stopped off where they make them:

Bell foundry at Villedieu les Poeles

For all the focal point buildings there was also a lot of countryside:

Hedgerow in 'Bocage' country

We had a great time!