Beginning the Pilgrimage

Today was a travelling day – not sure why they’re always so tiring, though this one might be Bayeux hangover!

Leaving Caen

Since I didn’t have to leave the hotel till 10am, I let myself indulge in breakfast – though it would have been cheaper to go out and find a coffee-shop!  Still, I knew I wouldn’t get lunch on the train...  I gave myself some extra time to go and find a pharmacie; my French was up to saying that I’d had a cold fot 5 days, and did they have anything for a chest cough?  I’m not sure what acétylcystéine is, but two doses of three today, and it’s much easier! The brand is Exomuc, for a toux grasse (a juicy cough!)
Today’s train began in Caen, so we were able to board as soon as the platform was announced. It was another of those trains that stopped in a number of places, including Granville, where the line ended, so we reversed for the rest of the journey.

Now, which bed do I sleep in?

When we arrived at Pontorson, there were only four of us got off the train – a couple of ladies from Estonia, and a gentleman from Belfast!  All of them were luggage-less, and were obviously just there on a day-trip. The bus from the station apparently goes all the way to the Mont, but the village that supports parking/hotels/tourist info is known as the “Caserne”, and I got off there to find Hotel Vert. I was a little early, but they checked me in and I found my room – up four flights of stairs with no elevators!  Argh - getting in training for climbing the Mount tomorrow! 

The tourist office - what a space!

 After a little downtime, I went to explore, walking first to the tourism centre to pick up a map (I have it on my phone, but print is always easier) and look at some of the displays. Then I took the footpath, “La Lisière” along the edge of the fields to join the main walkway, 

but decided that I wasn’t going to do the big walk in my sandals, and turned back to explore the dam that helps maintain the lack of buildup in sediment. We were at low tide, and the mudflats were well exposed.  There are guided tours that go out across the mudflats, and explore the places where there is quicksand – I don’t think I feel brave enough for that!  It’s a wonderful view of the Mont from there – and also of the crowds on the Causeway!  

I decided to get a quick bite at the so-called “supermarket”, taking it back to my room, and perhaps treat myself to a restaurant meal tomorrow.  It gave me chance to start on the blog (though the room wifi was not connecting, and I had to hotspot my phone). I wanted to do to do a little research – sunset is c.10:15pm – we’re only just past the solstice. They light up the mount at nightfall, and I hoped to do a late shuttle run (as long as I could get back!) - but at 8am the thunder roared and the rain poured, and I decided I would have a quiet evening, and keep my raincoat on hand for tomorrow!