Musings

Since I've been here I've had plenty of time to think. Some might say that's not such a good thing (haha) but it's been very therapeutic. 

It hit me that we have been coming here for over 28 years. That kind of blows me away. My mum bought this house with her inheritance after my beloved grandpa passed away. At first it was a holiday home. In fact, some of us came to stay in the very first few weeks after its purchase.  As the family are kind of nomads, having lived all over the place over the years, this house and town represent security and stability.

My parents moved here for good when my dad was ill, and all their grandchildren have grown up having holidays here. It's so close to the beach that when they were old enough (which was still pretty young), they could run back to the house on their own to go to the loo, or get their goûter, or pick up the towel they'd forgotten...  There were often several cousins here at the same time and as long as they didn't go in the water without an adult - and preferably on an incoming tide - they could go off to the beach by themselves. We could see them from the living room window anyway. What idyllic childhood memories for them.

The kids were ALWAYS on that beach. Nearly every year Claire had her birthday here and I have countless pictures of her on the beach, in August, with hardly ever another person in the picture: that's because the house is on a private road, and only people who live here are allowed to drive up near the beach. Joe Public goes to the beach further along the coast where there is a lifeguard and bathing huts. So the beach may not be of the finest golden sand, and there might always be a lot of seaweed, but it's OUR beach. 

Having said that the kids were always out there, well that's mostly true, but I remember the year Claire was about 14. Her cousins Matt (16) and Amy (14) were also here, and we grown-ups were all "go on then, off to the beach with you", and they did that sullen teenager thing, muttering "it smells, there's too much seaweed, it's boooooring" as they reluctantly slouched up to the digue. Fun times!

The area is very well known, as it is where the D-Day Landings took place. That picture up there, that's taken from the stretch in front of our road (Juno Beach), looking towards Utah and Omaha Beaches. The whole place is steeped in history, with Allied tanks and German bunkers, the remains of the British floating "Mulberry harbour", small British military cemeteries dotted around the countryside and the huge American one that features in Saving Private Ryan. Always plenty to do and see when we are here.

The funny thing is, my parents travelled a lot, and I picked up from them that they thought it weird when people went back to the same holiday destination year after year. When we went on holiday (if it wasn't going to stay with cousins or something), we never went to the same place twice. But this is different: this place is HOME and there is something very comforting about saying hello to the same people you pass in the street, the lady in the chemist or the man who walks his dog at the same time every day. And I love the fact that Lucette from over the road tucks the Ouest France in our letterbox every day when she's done with it.  Or that my mum's GP has known us for all this time - the other day he came by to drop something off while I was reading in the garden. As I got up from the deckchair he came towards me and kissed me on either cheek, saying "tu vas bien?" (if you speak French you'll see that he uses the familiar "tu"). 

Maybe it's because I haven't been able to come for nearly two years, having been ill, but I am appreciating every little moment here more than I think I ever have.  As I sat on the beach the other day I was thinking I would love to be able to spend the whole summer here every year and the rest of the year in England. Or even alternate between here and there, every other month or so. It's easy enough - there's a direct ferry lol.

So there you have it. The sea air and spending quality time with my mamma. What's not to like?

Comments

[Carolyn Rigg]

Very well put Jen, couldn't have done better ;-) My 3 always had their birthday celebrations in Bernières too (since they were all born in August) and we also have many happy pictures to remind us of those times. Like you, I love seeing the usual neighbours or shop assistants and chatting with Lucette, Mme Petit or darling Dr C. I'm so glad you're making the most of it and that you've been able to spend that much time with Mummy... Love you both ! xoxoxo

[jml]

Our first summer there was in 1983 & I know how much our boys love the place,they made many wonderful friends that year. A very nicely written post,ahh,nostalgia!!
Enjoy your last days & give mummy a big hug & kiss from us,now we are back home.;)

[Jen]

Glad you liked it. I'm afraid it made Claire cry a bit! Didn't mean to... I just wanted to get down in writing how I felt. I'll not wait another 2 years that's for sure!