The Swim Club in 40 Degree Weather

Sunday, April 5th 1992

Awakened about 9am by numerous cars arriving close to our tent and lots of conversation. All of a sudden the talking was gone. We assumed the people had come to the restaurant in the park for breakfast. But we learned later that this was not the case. Had our own church service of reading and absorbing one of the many sermons we ordered from our favorite minister in San Antonio and readings from the Bible.

About 11am loads of people returned from a 2 hour hike, took off their sweat suits, down to their bathing suits, and plunged into the cold, cold water! Temperature is about 40 degrees F outside. They had to be mad! This was a Swim Club consisting of all age people, young to old, and all in very good shape. We watched and tried to concentrate on our sermon lesson as we sat bundled in our goose down jackets, several layers of clothes and warm hats.

Departed Brugge about noon traveling farther north along the coast to Damme, Belgium. Traveled home on a picturesque side roads, arriving St. Germain about 6pm.

Camping in Brugge, Belgium

Thursday, April 2nd 1992

David flies to Madrid for two days.

Saturday, April 4th 1991

Depart St. Germain 9am for camping trip to the wonderful city of Brugge, Belgium, camping on Lac Loppem (a beautiful lake) outside of Brugge. The town was a smaller version of Brussels with a smaller Grand Palace, many beautiful buildings, a cathedral in which we “walked” to the top of the Belfry for a beautiful view, beautiful canals, and the weather held out beautifully for us.

Camping with Storms Passing Through

Sunday, February 9, 1992

A storm came thru in the night, heavy rain and strong winds, but our tent survived and so did we.  Breakfast tacos in the morning and a visit to the historic Normandy Beaches (World War II landings), the American Cemetery, chapel, and monuments at Omaha Beach, driving thru many small towns along the seaside roads.

In some of the towns the fisherman had recently come in from the sea and all along the banks they were selling fresh seafood.

Western Coast of France Camped at Ste-Mere-Eglise

Thursday, February 6th, 1992

David visits with Professor Lord (an orthopedic doctor) in the American Hospital in Paris to learn he has torn cartilage’s in his knee. So, it’s medication and therapy. This was as a result of a fall he had one morning on the way to the RER at the bottom of the slippery steps.

I became “Madame Presidente” of the “CCCC” (Chocolate Chip Cookie Club) at InterVoice S.A. I made the mistake of sending some cookies into the office with David one day which he politely shared and they loved them. The most probably reason for my being President is so more cookies would appear in the office.

Friday, February 7th, 1992

Michael Watson of InterVoice visited and enjoyed David’s delicious Enchiladas.

Saturday, February 8th, 1992

Weather was extremely nice for France at this time of year. So we packed the car, drove to the Western coast of france and camped at Ste-Mere-Eglise. On the way we visited the beautiful Basilique of St. Therese in Lisieux. She lived in this area and her parents tomb is contained in the Basilique with her own shrine being in the Carmelite Chapel.

Camping in the Lorie Valley

Friday, November 8, 1991

Rick’s birthday.  The week has been a relatively normal one – cold days, rain, some sunshine.  Bible Study on Thursday was the best ever.

Saturday, November 9, 1991

David played golf in the AM with Ray Beard and then we departed for camping in the Lorie Valley.  Unusually cold night.  30 degrees F.  We were cozy and warm throughout the night but as we broke ice off the tent the next morning we decided this wasn’t the ideal camping weather.

Headed to Normandy, Western Coast of France

Saturday, November 2, 1991

After a great breakfast we had to the Normandy area, Western Coast of France, to visit the U.S. Military cemetery at St. James, France.  Approximately 4,000 are buried in this one from World War II – a beautiful memorial.

Farther toward the coast we go on lovely back roads.  France being a very Catholic country, about every 5 miles on the side of the road we saw numerous crosses – sometimes with Christ on them and some very, very old.  In the distance we see Mont St. Michel – a huge old, old monastery built on a tremendous mass of rock into the sea and high into the sky.

As we approach – it is just breathtaking!  Again, so many pictures, we’re taking.  It just stands out so beautifully.  The tide comes in twice a day and surrounds it.  Today the interior has 4 or 5 hotels – lots of shops, restaurants, an abbey, a cemetery – just a city in itself.

We drive up the coast to Cancale, France – a port city with seafood restaurants everywhere along the shoreline.  Beautiful city.  Back to the campground – cooked and ate before the rain came.  Very hard rain in the night.

Camping in the Rain in France

Friday, November 1, 1991

Sun is shining and off we go.  I even drove.  An interesting practice here on “All Souls Day” – Nov. 2 – Chrysanthemums of all colors are brought by truck loads and placed on the graves everywhere, making for very colorful graveyards.

We find our campground at Fougeres, France.  Very nice.  The rain is coming though.  We hurriedly set up our tent and eat dinner as the rain comes and goes.

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