Sat 13 June 2015
As we had Saturday off, and Rouen being the nearest city and attraction to our workaway, we decided to visit. Matt had been there before on a uni trip to play at a music festival and thus had a few places he wanted to show us (myself and another workawayer, Louise).
We stopped into the tourist information centre for a map. It had two self-guided walking tours that would take us by all of the major attractions – some of which were Joan of Arc memorials. Rouen is where Joan of Arc was imprisoned and eventually burned at the stake.
The sun was shining so we wandered about for about four hours. Then we picked a little local restaurant to have dinner. As our French is minimal, Natalie recognised gratins on a menu. She knew that meant a potato casserole so figured that was a safe bet. Matt and Natalie had dishes with ham and bacon and Louise chose a spinach and haddock dish that Matt luckily got to finish off!
We then headed to an Irish pub – of all places – for a pint. Then we walked a bit further on to a local bar called Le Saxo in search of some live music (hopefully Jazz). Alas there was no live music on this particular Saturday Night. However, the world music playing was fab. Another pint in and we decided we better head home. As we were walking back to the car we stumbled across the most amazing Son et Lumiere show being projected onto the main Cathedral. We had seen a few in the UK and USA but this was by far the most spectacular show yet! There were several 10 minute installments telling different stories about the history of Normandy.
It was easy to say that the first official day in France was a success. What adventures would await us during our week of volunteering?
Purple Moose Tales 
Wow your adventures have truly begun and in style – a pint in an Irish pub – we are impressed. Your photographs are stunning. Thanks for your phone call Matthew and it was very interesting to know that you have actually got gardening skills and stone step making skills. You are both certainly working for your supper. Well done. Those gardening gloves must have been handy – ha ha. Bye for now. Mum and Dad xx
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We loved our gardening gloves!! They are well worn now – as you’ll see from our next post 🙂 thanks – they were really a life saver! xo
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