Thursday

Left Lécamp just before eleven.

...Arrived Etretat in time for a big lunch at Restaurant Normandie. Local cliffs advertised as the most beautiful in France. Tourist resort. Lot of half timbered houses near the main square. One big plaque written in French and English expressing thanks to British and American forces for liberating the town in the two wars. Took the road to Ste (?) and arrived at Le Havre about five. Left our bags at the Customs and went to do some shopping. Evening meal at a restaurant near open air market. Explained we wanted a meal for no more than 1,000 francs between us as that was what was left of our French money. Gentleman inside who overheard, sent out 200 francs so that our last meal in France should not be without a dessert. Went in to protest but he insisted on the boys having 100 francs each to buy sweets. Said he had been in Britain for four years during the war and had been very well treated. Went back to the docks and cleared Customs. 

The ship (Normannia again) left at about half past eleven.

The boys stayed on deck until we were clear of the harbour.

from a bicycle journal of Brian Hughes