29/09/08 - What in the world is a Mairie??

I'm not sure whether it was the mussels last night, or just a bug -
but I felt like total shit all day today. Luckily Marea has not
fallen the same way (touch wood) - so the driving duties were totally
hers today.

A slow morning where the fog had taken over our view of the Mulberry
Harbour before we were off on the road to see if I could handle
travelling. We made it as far as Pegusus Bridge - just one last D-day
sight. Again portrayed on The Longest Day, three British gliders
landed here shortly after midnight on 6 June and took over the bridge
- ensuring German reinforcements couldn't cross to get to the beaches,
and also ensuring they didn't blow it up to slow the allies progress
inland.

It was quite amazing looking at the landing sights of the three
gliders. They only landed about 50 metres from the bridge, and 10
metres apart from each other - it seems unbelievable that they didn't
crash into each other on landing.

The majority of our afternoon was spent resting in the van besides the
Caen Canal and Pegasus Bridge - trying to figure if I can travel any
more today. Finally after a cup of herbal tea we took the plunge and
headed inland past Rouen, up the River Seinne - to the tiny (I'm not
sure if there is even a shop) village of St. Germain de-Pasquier.

According to our Camper Stop book here lies the smallest Mairie in
France. Apart from the fact that there is a designed free parking
spot here - curiousity got the better of us and we wanted to find out
what a Mairie is??

Upon arrival we have found a 3 by 2.7 metre brick building with the
words 'Mairie' on the front. The only thing we could translate from
the French information sign was its dimensions. It did have some
opening times on its door, but they could have translated to "open
Mondays and Wednesdays". As tomorrow is Tuesday, we may never be any
wiser!!