Ready to go......
Just before departure from National Memorial Arboretum at Arlewas....
Left NMA to take the Chunnel at Folkstone then onwards to the Menin Gate at Ieper in Belgium. We planned to be there before the Sunset Ceremony which happens at 8pm every day.
Was a very pleasant ride in glorious sunshine
We had two days around here where we visited 'Bray Dunes' ...
and the city of Bruges....
We were staying in a lovely place called 'Hooge Crater', they have there own on site WW1 open air museum with Trenches and all. Had a wander around the commonwealth war graves here and found a relation of one of my friends from work. Rare surname stood out! Photos taken of grave stone and entry in book which includes their address and parentage details.
I was also able to locate the wifes Great Uncle on the Menin Gate so took relevant photies..
From here we travelled 300 miles to Arromanches les Bain on the Normandy coast. It rained and it rained and it rained!! got soaked
The last 100 miles the rain stopped and we dried out
The next day was visiting the Normandy beaches sites....
Omaha Beach
Pointe de Hoc
Arromanches
Visited a few other sites but did not take pictures.
Next day was transit to Amiens via Pegasus Bridge.... again we got soaked!! On a good side the staff very
ly accepted our bags jackets and helmets to be stored behind the desk
Our final day of visits saw us going to the place where the battle of the Somme started...
Thiepval [Similar to menin gate all columns have names of those with no designated grave...
Beaumont Hamel, where the Newfoundlanders fought....
Then it was the trip home again in glorious sun
Had one small funny bit on our transit from Pegasus Bridge to Amiens, satnag sally was set for no motorway and no tolls, hmmmmmm
Some of the backroads it sent us down were........ interesting to say the least....... 45 degree slopes with loose surfaces...... then it was a case of turn left..... turn right.....
then.....
wait for it......
wait for it.....
TAKE THE FERRY!
so we did
and true to its word we crossed the Seine for free.
The trip home to Calais via backroads 126 miles was great and we made it in enough time to get earlier train
Arrived at Folkstone then off home.
1368.8 miles since leaving home I arrived at home.
6 very tired days later.
