I’ve never eaten so much camembert, tried so many times to like Calvados, and seen 2:00am so many times in one week!
A huge thank-you to the Murphy family for arranging and then inviting us to share a week with them at ‘La Porte Rouge’. This lovely, early-18th century farmhouse was the base for our week in Normandy, France.
La Porte Rouge, The Red Door
Out in the country side, it was the perfect place for multi-species races…
…and lots of s’more making!
Joe, Mom and I took a day-trip from La Porte Rouge to Mont-Saint-Michel, the 10th century abbey. The abbey itself is actually layers of three smaller churches, built upon each other atop the precarious precipice. Yeah, there have been a few collapses here and there, but all in all, it is pretty amazing how the massive structure has remained perched on top of a pinnacle that is only 30m wide at the very top!
Erroneously, I thought Mont-Saint-Michel was actually an island. It was, long ago, and still is during spring tides. In 1969 a dam was built that blocked the Couesnon River, preventing its natural ebb and flow around the Mont. There are huge restoration plans currently in place to restore the Mont to its original estuary-like state, and undo hundreds of years of human alteration.
View of the bay from the Abbey.
Despite its quirks, La Porte Rouge was a great place to catch up with friends over wine and port. The next time these three Scholar families will be together again will be state-side. Sad, I know, but we still had a great time and are truly appreciative for the invite and the fellowship! Thanks again Murphys!
Love these folks!
Oh yeah…one more thing. Don’t even think about playing a round of Mad Gab with S. Murphy, unless you want to lose handily! 🙂