In total we were gone 10 days with 8 tour days and a full travel day on each end. William missed 2 1/2 days of school. While we were there he was asked to keep up with his daily online math and ELA assignments for the three days they had school (approximately 30 minutes of work per day). I had hoped those three days would be relatively easy days heading into the break, but I think they were trying to cram a lot in instead. So it has been a lot of effort to get him caught up on what he missed. We were all jet lagged/travel exhausted during this past week that we couldn't stay up super late, so he didn't do much extra besides his current day's homework. And for the first few days we let him be in charge of putting together the list of what was due, and he didn't compile a complete list, so under estimated his workload and pacing. I'm thinking this might be the end of pulling him out of school for travel. It's just hard to find a good time when all three of us have 10 days off together in a row to do a trip like this!
Couple of notes that didn't fit into any day:
Our guesthouse in Bayeux, Le Petit Matin, was a lovely B&B and a had a cat that we named Marcel. We found out that his name was Chicago (!), but we decided we'd stick with Marcel. William and I enjoyed catching up with him each morning during breakfast. John never went to breakfast. Whether it was his cat allergy, the fact he isn't a breakfast person, or a few minutes alone in the room, we never asked! Normandy is known for its soft cheeses, and there was a selection available a the table each morning. We mostly stuck to the croissants and butter and jam instead of the stinky cheese! And coffee! Finally a great cup of coffee each morning. We also enjoyed chatting with the other guests - mostly American retirees on multiweek self-guided tours. I don't remember how I happened upon this place besides internet searching for places walkable to the spots in Bayeux. Of the rooms in the B&B, this one was big enough for them to add a roll away bed for William and a big bathroom with full shower.
Exchange rate was favorable, so we lucked out there versus 2020. And versus having prepaid many things. One potential drama we avoided was the French refinery worker strike that caused petrol shortages. On the return to the airport, there were lines at the exit ramps to get gas. Luckily Mate' had filled the van's tank the day prior, and we weren't impacted, but he was calling his colleagues to provide updates.
Our flight was 8-9 hours each direction. We did not have any travel delays or luggage issues thankfully (even though we packed most things in our carryon roller bags and were ready). We all had over ear noise cancelling headphones - best investment ever - from engine noise if nothing else. I listed to 16 hours of The Office Ladies podcasts. Not sure what John or William watched/listened to/read. We each just zoned into our own thing and tried to get through it. :-) I did intentionally pick our seats in the back of the plane for less walk thru traffic, since we didn't want to pay for the extra leg room seats in the front. It ended up being fine....for being stuck in a set for 8+ hours....
We were adequately stockpiled with sweets and snacks including a couple of unusual candies from the vending machine at the airport that we bought before flying home. The Doritos weren't very good.
