June 12 Villedieu les Poeles
Another rest day, some more rain! Only lasted a few hours. My coffee this morning was delivered in a large cereal bowl!
Had an interesting visit to the Fonderie de Cloches, the oldest bell foundry in France. As the only English speaking tourists, we had our personal guide to show us around and explain the process of making the bells - huge bells using traditional methods, although now also using a block and tackle to help move the bells. The mold is made from a mixture of manure, mud and goats hair.
A visit to the museum of Normandy furniture followed, some of the furniture dating back to the 13thC. Rooms were set up as replicas of a 17thC Normandy house. Beautiful, intricate carving on many of the pieces.
In the narrow streets we found another small museum which had a collection of old copper pots and utensils as well as a lace display. The young attendant gave us a demonstration of lace-making - a painfully slow process. Then on to the Atelier du Cuiure to see he coppersmiths at work. Villedieu was known as the town of the deaf, and it was interesting to note that he coppersmiths were not wearing earmuffs. I asked about this and was advised that they are supplied to the workers, but they prefer not to use them as they need to hear the sound of the copper as it is beaten to make the best products - so the modern workers also go deaf.
Iain had local sausage and gizzards with salad which he found quite tasty. The English translation on the menu described the item as gizzards and guts - too intriguing not to try them.