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Re: How was Normandy this year?

First two days were glorious sunshine and we had a great ride and picnic to visit the Don Fife shrine. (Hans the plaque is still there and unmolested, but starting to fade). Third day we had torrential rain on our way to Pegasus Bridge and we were all wetter than an underwater wet thing:disappointed: Two bikes stopped with water in the points and as we stood in the road with WD40 at the ready, the water was flowing over our boots like a river. We sheltered in a coffee shop in Douvres and cut the journey short to return back to camp (It happened to William the conqueror you know). We did the trip the next day, with the aid of pedal bin liners and surgical gloves inside our soggy boots and gloves. On D Day we visited St Marie du mont and St Mere Eglise to find that both places were almost like ghost towns. Apparently the French are doing the main commemorations at the weekends. One of the quietest years I've ever seen, I guess lots are saving themselves for next year (75th) Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: How was Normandy this year?

As Ron said, the 2/3 june week-end was very nice with warm and sunny weather. Then suddenly from Monday 4 it changed to rainy, foggy fresh autumn weather, and driving was not fun anymore, with boots and feet also totally wet... As this year I study operation Bluecoat, which took place 50km from the beaches, I didn't go to the coast, but went on Sunday to Tilly-sur-Seules were there was the traditional military book fair, held close to the museum which is in an old chapel. There, you can notice a nice fully equipped british despatch rider dummy with it's rubberized raincoat. Monday I went to hill 112 south of Caen, this time under heavy rain, and completely alone facing the Churchill tank and the great work done by the veteran Albert Figg before he left us last year (plant of 112 trees). The rest of the week was in the Saint-Martin-des-Besaces area. Visited the museum "La percée du bocage" at St Martin, very interesting as it describes Bluecoat in details, and precisely Pip Robert's 11th UK Armoured Division brilliant advance at the end of july 44 with the famous reconnaissance of Lt Derek Powle on what would become "Dickie's bridge", a raid of 10km inside ennemy lines with only one Staghound and one Dingo armoured cars without beeing stopped till the now famous bridge. I also accompanied a recce with british and french Bluecoat specialists at hill 226, 5km east of Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, were, on 30th july 44, 3 Jagdpanthers wiped out a Churchill tank squadron from the 6th Tank Brigade, 3rd Battalion Scots Guards, destroying 11 Churchills and causing many casualties, including 24 killed. As there is nothing on the terrain to indicate this tragic event, the recce was intended to find a location to set up a stele to commemorate it.
One of the french volunteer from the St Martin museum has got nearly all parts of a BSA M20 that was found by a farmer in august 44 in the sector just after the battle, and that he dissasembled completely. It's from 11th Armoured Division, and he hopes to finish to assemble it in 1 or 2 years
Lastly, on 6th june I attended the Service of Remembrance at St Charles de Percy british war cemetery.
Back home after 1500km mostly under rain and on small muddy countryside roads, it took me 5 hours to wash and maintain the poor motorbike !
I'll go back at Saint-Martin at the end of july for the celebration of the liberation of Saint-Martin-des-Besaces by the 11th Armoured Division.

Next year I'll be hopefully with you on the coast, exploring other british and US sectors closer to the beaches.
This time hopefully with better weather...no rain for the 75th please !!!!
Jean-Marc

Re: How was Normandy this year?

We just missed you then Jean-Marc! We were in Tilly on Saturday in the hot sun for sandwiches and coffee on route to Don Fife at Fresney-le-Puceux. What a pleasure to ride in Normandy in nice weather. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: How was Normandy this year?

Although it was a bit damp for 3 days, we had a great time and still knocked up close to 400 miles on the bikes. Many thanks to Ron for herding a bunch of cats for a week and not getting "Ginger" with us too often :grinning:
I'm already looking forward to next year.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Re: How was Normandy this year?

How about some pictures?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

Re: How was Normandy this year?

Actually Rob I'm not one for taking many pictures, But I think Horror has plenty. We visited this lone war grave of Harry Newman who was killed in his Spitfire in 1941 (flown from RAF Warmwell in Dorset) He was shot down at Le harve and his plane/body was washed up near Port En Besin and the locals buried him with the respect he deserved. I have been in touch with "Aircrews Remembered" and his family have been informed with the following pictures. Ron
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email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Re: How was Normandy this year?

Hello Chaps...

Trust alls well I've been out riding, fixing and mostly more riding recently locally which has been glorious. Spent alot of time and events with the GMC 353 as we can all get in it. Managed to unexpectedly make Normandy in a rather funny way, friend of mine buys and sells vintage military aircraft, he needed a hand with a Hawker Hunter fuselage frame which was in the Loire nr the Tank Museum in Sameur so we headed down 5th June, went through St Mere Eglise, Carentan, stopping at Utah beach on the 6th whilst on the way home.

St Mere was very empty, the French said that they celebrate most of it a week before and many leave the morning of the 6th. Utah where we were was empty. Guess it wont be like that next year but then we only stopped for a short time. The A10 Airfield museum if i'm honest was a real shame to visit, all the gear is pretty much gone with a few bits around but nice to chat with the very nice Bar Lass

75th hope to take the truck with the BSA in the back...

email (option): kit247@hotmail.com

Re: How was Normandy this year?

Ron,
Yes with the sun it's much better! Except Caen area and the numerous destroyed villages, not much has changed in Normandy since the war, so it's indeed a pleasure to ride in that rather preserved lanscape. For next year I've booked at Reine Mathilde camping so look forward to seeing you with all other Despatch riders

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