Notes from the Cape – a travel journal in pictures, by Craig Strachan

Published November 2, 2024

Père Lachaise Cemetery

I don’t know what is about cemetery’s that fascinate me, I guess it’s a reminder of our mortality. The Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris (along with the Central Cemetery in Vienna is one of the most interesting cemeteries that I’ve explored. This was my second visit to Père Lachaise.

Established in 1804, it is the largest cemetery in Paris and a notable resting place for many prominent figures.

Chopin is high on my list, since I am such a huge fan of his. His heart is interned in Warsaw, and here lies the rest of him, so now I am happy to have paid my respects to the whole of him.

Arman was an an artist that did unusual things with musical instruments, among other things.

Édith Piaf, and tragically her daughter Marcelle.

And here are a few more photos of the cemetery.

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Published October 26, 2024

Bayeux cemetery and memorial

The Bayeux War Cemetery is one of many solemn reminders of the sacrifices made during World War II. Rows of white headstones stretch across the well-kept grounds, each marking a life lost too soon, giving everything for freedom.

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Published October 19, 2024

Pointe du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc is a prominent cliff on the Normandy coast in France, famous for its role in World War II during the D-Day invasion. It’s roughly 30m tall (about 5 stories to add context), and the US Army Rangers scaled it under heavy German fire. It was strategic, because it could fire on both Obama and Utah beaches, which were the two American landing beaches, so disabling it was critical to the Normandy invasion. Today, Pointe du Hoc stands as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought there, with a preserved battlefield, memorials, and breathtaking views of the English Channel.

A mildly interesting side-node: some of the ladders they used to scale the cliff were on loan from the London fire brigade!

One of the many reinforced gun emplacements

Lookout point over the channel

Gun emplacement that was never completed.

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Published October 12, 2024

Grumpy smurfs (and other street art)

I love seeing street art when I travel, and on this particular occasion it was purely by chance that I saw it. Lois and I got lost (ok, I did the “getting lost” bit), and we found this fun street on some pillars alongside the Seine. I love the expressions on their faces.

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Published October 5, 2024

Streetart in Paris

One thing I love to find when I travel is good street art, and Paris is no exception. There are some fantastic artworks by exceptional artists. I don’t know if these works have real names, so I just made them up.

Zebra man and Onyx (one of my dogs is also Onyx)

Water-colour lady

Man on wall

Pixelated Daffy-duck

Retro detective

Pen-art girl with pram

Little shop of horrors

Aimé Césaire (former président of Martinique)

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Published September 28, 2024

101st Airborne

The pathfinders were the first to arrive in Normandy as part of the D-Day landings. Parachuting into Normandy just after midnight, their role was to map out the drop-zones for the main landings.

In total, 13400 airborne soldiers landed in Normandy, including E-company – the legendary Band of Brothers.

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Published September 21, 2024

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is a tiny Island off the Normandy coast, but it feels like something out of a fairy tale. This tiny island is home to a beautiful abbey that seems to float above the sea, especially during high tide when the waters surround it completely.

The streets are steep, narrow and winding, but the view from the abbey is breathtaking, offering a panorama of the surrounding bay.

The history dates back to the 8th century, and over the years the abbey has grown into a massive cathedral. It has survived wars and sieges. During the French revolution, it was even converted into a prision.

At high tide, Mont Saint-Michel becomes an island fortress, making it a truly magical and historically significant destination to explore.

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Published September 14, 2024

At the bell foundry

The Cornille Havard Bell Foundry in Normandy is a fascinating place. Firstly there is a play area where you can bang on a selection of bells of different sizes.

And secondly, it is the foundry where nine of the ten bells from Notre Damme Cathedral in Paris were cast. The bells have been made in the same manner since the foundry started in the mid 1800’s.

Inside the foundry.

You have no idea how loud this bell rings when you are standing in front of it.

If you look closely at the roof you can see a selection of small bells, They are rung every 15 minutes, each time playing a different tune,

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Published September 7, 2024

Sainte-Mère-Église

If you’ve seen the movie ‘The Longest Day’, you will remember the scene where John Steele’s parachute gets caught on the church steeple of Sainte-Mère-Église. Well this is where it happened. He lay there for over 2 hours pretending to be dead until he was captured by the Germans (he later escaped).

A minor correction to the figure hanging with the parachute – he was actually hanging on the other side, but I guess it looks more impressive from the town square.

Have a close look at the stained glass window from inside.

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Published August 31, 2024

German cemetery at La Cambe

The German cemetery in La Cambe, Normandy, is the final resting place of more than 21,000 German soldiers who died during the Second World War.

Unlike the Allied cemeteries, which have white crosses or stars, the German cemetery has dark stone crosses and plaques.

Many of the graves belong to young men who were conscripted into the Nazi army and forced to fight against their will. Some of them were as young as 16 years old. The cemetery is a somber reminder of the tragedy and horror of war.

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