On the 27th September 1066, William the Conqueror set sail from St Valery sur Somme for England. So we decided in this anniversary year that we should go and have a look! We collected some friends and meandered along the Canche valley to start with, then on to the Baie de Somme and the little town of St Valery. What a beautiful place! It's fairly obvious that the town has spread from what it was in the 11th Century, but there is still a core at the top of the hill that is original.
Cobbled streets lead up to the "William Tower" which is also where Joan of Ark was held prisoner in the 15th Century (according to a plaque on the wall.) not sure whether it was one night or longer....
The Baie itself is beautiful, an absolute haven for wildlife, you can walk across to Le Crotoy on the opposite bank when the tide is out - we took the train, a story for another day!
This picture speaks for itself - it's in the spot (supposedly) where the boats set sail from, now in the middle of the walkway with a road on either side. I suppose with 1000 years having passed the course of the river will have changed.....
I've been meaning to reproduce the colours of the Bayeux Tapestry for many years and so in tribute to the anniversary they were launched in August. Madder, Weld and Woad have given a really lovely range of colours, alum and iron were the only additions.
