Giverny - Home of Claude Monet

Today was our first morning on the river, and, although the sun wasn't shining brightly, it also wasn't

raining.  Always a plus in Normandy!  There's a reason the fields are always lush green and the cows are very happy!  I love waking up and watching the river banks and towns as we cruise by.

Breakfast was very tasty and even included crisp bacon -- virtually unheard of outside the US.  AMA's chefs, however, have learned how to cook bacon the way we like it!  Next on the agenda was

a talk by Elise, our cruise manager, who each day would explain what our options for the day were.  Besides the main shore excursion, she described alternatives for passengers who had previously been in this area.

Before lunch we had time to explore the town of Vernon where our ship docked.  The timbered houses were lovely.

Today's primary excursion was an afternoon to the home and gardens of  Monet in nearby Giverny -- places I've wanted to see for years but haver never seemed to get to, despite many trips to France.  Only five passengers elected to go on an alternative tour, so I guess most of the ship agreed with me.

After a rather substantial lunch (I'm going to need a seat belt expander on the flight home),  the next pre-departure activity was to test our individual audio boxes.  These allow us to hear our local guides even when a considerable distance from the guice.  Even though our group of 20 could easily hear when standing around her, the personal audio systems enabled us to linger at a site while the rest of the group moves on.

Born in 1840 in Paris, Claude Monet, one of the most famous of the Impressionist artists,  fell in love with a house outside of Vernon, France, while returning from the coast on a train.  He purchased the

property and lived there until his death in 1926.

The home is interesting and large enough to accommodate his large family of 6 children, but the real attraction is the flower-filled Clos Normand  and the Japanese-style garden he designed.

Numerous nympheas (water-lilies) paintings were inspired by these

gardens.   I was in awe of the beauty of the gardens and only wish we could have such at home, but sadly, our Texas climate prefers cactus!

At dinner tonight we had a birthday celebration for Suzanne McFarland and a Honeymoon? celebration for Jerry and me.  We both were presented with cakes and special songs.  My agent at AmaWaterways had told the cruise line that we were a honeymoon couple.  Guess it didn't matter that we were married last January!

Tonight we sail to Caudebec-en-Caux which will be our base for exploring Honfleur and the Normandy Beaches and Cemetaries for the next 2 days.

More from Normandy....
Linda