Hermione comes to town

Bonjour

It’s all happening here in Cherbourg. We have had a few big visitors of the nautical kind. It is obviously ferry season and most days this week we have had enormous ferries arriving for a day visit so that thousands of their passengers can see the sights of Cherbourg. It must bring a huge boost to the local economy, especially on market day when there were two in port. It’s strange walking around town and hearing so many American and English accents.

These ferries probably hold more people than the entire population of Cherbourg.

The other important visitor was L’Hermione. If you have never heard of it, then join the club. It is actually a replica of a French war ship, in service in the late 18th century and most famous for carrying the Marquis de La Fayette to America to help in the fight for independence. That is some thing keep in your back pocket for your next trivia night.


We had the best view to see this arriving. This was about 9:30 at night. It was supposed to arrive the next morning but they pushed it forward as the next morning was wet, wild and windy.
Check out the crowds! There was a collective holding of breath as the boat tried to get through the very narrow opening of the inner harbour. That little red boat in the front was pulling this way and that, while the black pilot boat at the back was doing the same thing. Would have only been a few centimetres to spare on each side. Originally there was offers of buying tickets and going on joy rides, but they quickly worked out that was not a good idea.

Last Monday was the 1st May – Labour Day but also la Fête du Muguet or the Thrush Festival. On this day every year it is a custom to offer little bouquets of lily of the valley as a symbol of springtime and happiness. It is said that whoever finds a lily of the valley with 13 small bells will be particularly lucky. It is also the only day when private citizens are allowed to sell goods without the need for a permit.

Spring time also means baby birds. And when you think of babies and birds, the next step is storks. A fellow Australian who is a keen bird watcher took me to a very old, crumbling chateau which has been taken over by a colony of storks and is now their maternity hospital. There must have been dozens of nests and plenty of food around for the parents to feed their baby chicks. The nests themselves are huge, and look like they get recycled from one year to the next. Always something new to see.

And finally, the umbrellas are back. Many towns hang umbrellas upside down in their laneways (don’t know why) and this year, Cherbourg has gone with the red, white and blue in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings by the allies.

Bientot

L & M.

2 thoughts on “Hermione comes to town”

  2. It’s taken me all day but I got it. Doggies are red white and blue – right? Can’t help it, I’m a Queenslander 😏

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