Tour de France

Hello Friends

It is not in my nature to stay in one place too long.

No, actually I think the France Tour should be left alone as a whole to be found and suffered by anyone who comes across it.

To this end the current me can be found with an 'iste on the end. He is in my friends list for easy access, see you soon.

28th September
We phoned the Caravan Club Insurance. One of the advantages of being a club member is the insurance offered, everyone says it is good. “When did this happen, you should have phoned us straight away we could have given you assistance.“

“It is only the next day, it all happened in a hurry, we managed thanks.“

“Always let us know, we can speak to the hospital etc. we want to help. Your insurance runs out soon are you coming home. Do you need assistance with driving.“

“No we can manage, I think we will be back to the UK soon.“

We went to the ferry terminal to book our return date. Then on to Barfleur for supplies and wine to take home then back to Gattteville.

30th September
The wind blew up for a forecast force 6-7 gale, I whipped the wind genny down from its new position with ease before it got too bad. The weather was changing, it was the time to return.

2nd October
We departed Cherbourg for home in the morning. Sue would have given you a wave if she could.

Arriving in Poole around lunch time we wanted somewhere to park up. The map shows a harbour side carpark. I pulled into a space with a view. The Hymer can fit into a car size space. I checked the notice board by the ticket machine.

Motor homes must be parked in some specific bays at the rear with no view, must pay twice the car price, failure do display incurs a fine. Here comes a yellow peril now, welcome back to England, forget it, we will eat somewhere else.

We headed north through Poole into a solid traffic jam. Stop start driving, covering around 1 mile in half an hour. When the queue moved, we all rushed forward, I was doing nearly 40 MPH. And there is a speed camera. Golly this is hell.
We are your elected Council, you hate us, we hate you and we will find ways to make you hate us more.

For 6 months I had driven thousands of miles, always making good progress. Seeing the slightest built up area you slow to 30 miles an hour, no problem, no frustration, driving has been a pleasure I have parked in towns, cities and villages, on cliff tops harbours and beaches without hindrance.

I turned off into a residential area, we had lunch outside someone's house.
I wanted a public telephone in order to use the phone book to locate the local Solar Panel supplier and find their address. I wound down the window and asked a gentleman walking by where I could find one.
“There used to be one at the end of the street,“ he said, “they removed that, there is another about half a mile up the road, that is normally vandalised, I would not send you there. Come to my house and make your call.“

There are nice people here too.

Traffic on the road we had turned off started to flow easier, we joined again, not far on was the cause of the hold up. They were removing cars from a head on crash, overtaking no doubt, frustration causes people to overtake where it is not safe. Two more families lives changed in an instant.

I have had more frustration in the last 2 hours than in the past 6 months. No wonder I am a grumpy old man.

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We packed the ’van and went to the Mairie in the village to ask the location of the nearest doctor. St Vaast was the place to go.

We arrived just as the Doctor was leaving after his Saturday morning surgery. He had locked the door and was about to open his car, bag in hand. He raised his eyes to the sky, busy morning probably.
The poor chap unlocked the door and led us in, other than skyward look he was unhurried and kind. Taking a look at the hand he advised there was possible tendon damage, better go to hospital in Cherbourg. I offered payment, the usual 20 Euro note, he refused.

Parking in the visitor car park at the  Louis Pasteur Hospital, there was lots of room and no charge. We walked into the Accident Dept. at about 3.30 PM. Straight up to a group of Medical staff. “Have you registered?“ Said one of them.

 “No, where do we do that?“

“That window, just there as you come in, never mind let us have a look, you can
register later.“

After the preliminary inspection we went to register, then to the waiting room.
A room about the same size as the one at my dentists, had 4 people and a colour TV.

Passport and Insurance details were needed, I popped out to the van to fetch them, when I returned Sue had gone. I sat down and looked at the TV. A French lady pointed out of the door, “Your Wife.“

There she was passing by the door in hospital gown, bag of belongings on her lap in a wheelchair. “Off to X ray, would you like to come said the porter.“
We returned for blood tests.

The Doctor in charge of A&E Spoke very good English he said, “We need a National Health System like the UK.“

“Oh no you don’t.“

 “Yes, but you see that young man who is just leaving, he had an appointment here on Thursday, he was at work then, so he came along today, Saturday, on his day off, can you do that in England.“

“Well having waited 3 months for your original appointment, only if you wanted to wait another 3 months.“

“But here they know they can do it.....You come from the Midlands...... My sister is studying in Birmingham...... At night she works as a waitress in a restaraunt called ’The La Ronde,’ do you know it..... I like some of the English TV,...... Monty Python that is really funny...... Now how did this injury happen“

“I went for her throat, I accidentally missed.“

“English humour, I love English humour.“ He told the rest of the staff in French, they eyed me suspiciously.

No delays, there was an ECG and off to the ward in a 2 bed, spotlessly clean room.
The tendon to her little finger had been severed and needed micro surgery, this was done at about 9.30 at night. She had general anesthetic so must stay in overnight.

I asked the man on the reception desk at the main entrance, if  there was any chance of me staying overnight in the car park. He spoke no English and repeated my statements back, as I  carefully uttered them.
“Your wife is in Accident and Emergency. She has had an operation. She has to stay in overnight. You have a Campingcar in the car park. You would like to stay and sleep in it overnight.............You are not parked in the Entrance are you.“

“No I am in the empty car park on the left.“

“But of course, no problem, sleep well.“

Compare this to the local man here in Northampton. He felt unwell, drove into the hospital paid £2 to park for an hour. Presented himself at A&E who found he was having a heart attack.  Later they transferred him to Oxford.
Would you believe it, the idiot did not ensure that he was re-transferred every hour to put another £2 in the meter. Perhaps he had something else on his mind.

He incurred hefty fines for failing to display a current ticket. Even appeals to his MP did not help, the parking company do not accept excuses. Finally a name and shame session on local radio made someone see sense. And he was saved from court and the £75 fine.

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23rd September
We needed supplies so we went  to Quettehou to the medium size supermarket. There are some smaller names there too, ones that we know in England, Aldi for instance.
Then on to St Vaast for the day and the vidange facilities, then point de Saire Jonville for the night and a look round that area.

24th September
Back to Gatteville, the light house there is the second tallest in France it guards the rocks where King William and his entourage drowned when his boat was wrecked. Small boats come and go from the harbour which is between our two favoured stopping places

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27th September
I wanted a container to catch some waste whilst I did little job. We had thrown away our last 2 liter milk carton only a couple of days ago. If I had one I could cut off the top and it would be ideal.
 “No problem,“ said Sue, “I saw one washed up on the shoreline only this morning.“ Off she went down the beach to fetch it whilst I popped in the van to I get my carpet knife.

Great, she found it and was back with it as I descended the step. Now when you descend the step from the ’van there is a certain amount of movement. If you bounce in and out like some sprightly teenager there is a lot of movement. Some days I have to hold on and act my age, even my fathers age. Sometimes I can bounce. On the 27th of September I bounced down the step.
Sue thought I was falling and thrusts out her hand to catch me, I felt a resistance to the knife in my hand.
“Did that cut your coat,“ I asked.
“No.“
 “Oh good, why did you grab me.“
“I thought you were falling.“ She stood with her right hand holding her left.
“Did it get your hand then.“
“Yes“ she said, calmly.
“How bad is it.“
“I don’t want to look.“
I looked, it did not look good. The cut was not long, a stab wound I suppose. To this day she says. “He stabbed me in France.“  The bulging indicated damage to some of the rope and pulley system in there.

I tried the GP system out back down near Grenoble, it looks as though she wants to try it in the North.

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13th September
Next we moved up the coast to Gatteville. Here we joined a small international group of Campingcaristes, all of whom had stayed in this little bay before.

Brian and Sue from Dorset introduced themselves. Brian fishes at West Bexington, I too fished there regularly for some years. “There are potatoes in that field “ he said “The farmer has finished picking, you can collect what you want, there are Mushrooms in that field there. Down the lane, Blackberries and more Sloes than you can imagine.
“Right all we need is some fish then“ I said.

A fisherman arrived early each morning in the mist and attended his nets just out in the bay.

We tried fishing the bay, it produced no results. A trip around the headland found a rocky outcrop and a beach. Some Mackerel-ling was going on from the beach so we joined in. We saw nothing caught and likewise had no results. Something interesting was going on off the rocks. The locals were fishing for Garfish. We watched and learned the technique.

We moved our vans round to occupy the few spots where it was possible to park up. A trip to Barfleur for large ball floats and we were equipped. Soon we had the right depth and were landing Garfish 80cm long on each high tide.
We almost dined totally off the land and the sea for a day or two. Until the Head Chef gave the order, “do not catch any more of those green boned blighters.“ I never did take a picture of them, shame.

22nd September
We had been enjoying this spot for several days, taking regular trips to Barfleur for shopping and the facilities. It was still warm enough to swim. The quiet lanes were ideal for cycling. The open fields  had much of interest. An old stone quarry nearby had created a large deep pond, this was home to Rudd and they were prey for Kingfishers.

Of course the coastline here had been defended, concrete gun emplacements and block houses were  build, one or two of these have been converted into holiday homes. Now out of season they were locked and barred. The other vans had come and gone, we were alone with the views.

We were now just round the corner from Cherborg, one day we will go and buy a ferry ticket back home, but we had no thoughts yet.

High tide was at tea time, I went out onto the rocks and landed a couple of Garfish for dinner. The wind was getting a bit strong and the sky went black. As I packed up my gear the wind got stronger, grand for generating power. As the evening came, the winds increased the sea was rough and came up either side of our little spit we were on. Further than we had seen it before.

The wind generator started to scream, I put on full load, every light, the TV and the fridge which take a lot of current, the generator did not slow one bit. We decided that it would be better back round in the small bay, so two happy campers went out in pouring rain and lashing gales, lowered the wind generator, easy to say but quite a  game when it was bending the 35mm dia. pole and screaming like a banshee.

Catch a blade on something and the broken bits would take your head off I should think. There is a loop on the tail fin to pull the generator round out of the wind, maintaining that position took considerable effort. After this experience I have changed my mounting system doing away with guys.
The storm came off the Atlantic and there was nothing to filter it, once round in the bay it was much better. The storm raged but we were safe and sound.

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Just a quickie for now before we continue with the Grand Tour de France, which is heading toward its dramatic climax. Can you stand the suspense?

I got an e-mail from my friend in the Pyrenees, I make no excuses for pushing his B&B he has just started down there. It looks great. Do take a look at his site.

 http://pyreneesholidaygites.blogspot.com/

11th September
We visited more of Utah beach, Sainte Marie du Mont, Leclerc monument and the American memorial.
 

Then off to an Aire at Montebourg for the night.

12th September
We moved round the coast visiting Barfleur, where a Russian Barque was anchored, it is in the Guinness book of records for its journeys around the world, high priced souveniers were on offer on the quay to raise funds.

Then to St Vast to stay on the Aire.

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9th September
Port Bessin is where the fuel was landed for the Normandy campaign, gerry cans at first, then using pipelines from the ships, 1,000 tons a day, prior to PLUTO Pipe Line Under The Ocean coming into flow. Such are the logistical problems to be overcome.

On the beach here, the longest day was filmed, the casino built and destroyed. The action really took place at Arromanches. We stayed the night on the Aire in town, there is another on the harbour but the road was closed for access, roadworks.

10th September
Omaha beach and the monument., St Loren museum, Verville s Mer a long sand stretch of Omaha beach, the monument de Moulins, Point du Hoc a German stronghold with many big guns able to defend Omaha and Utah. All have their sad history of bravery and death.

One example, the 225 men sent to destroy the Point du Hoc guns, on D day. They used rocket propelled grappling ropes to scale the cliff from the beach. They were forty minutes late due to the  tide and navigation errors.
The Germans had time to recover from the airborne assault, they were ready with grenades and small arms to fight them off. 175 who were left took the last big guns then sent a message 'mission accomplished send reinforcements heavy losses.'  As they were forty minutes late it was assumed they had failed in their mission, and the message was ignored, they were left alone for 2 days to hold the point allowing the enemy to re group. When the tanks finally arrived there were 90 men left.

We drove inland to Houseville for the night at a Goat farm.

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6th September
We leave for Ryes a British ww2 cemetry here lie some of the victims of the Normandy landings.

On to the coast at St Come de Fresne - le Hamel. Some well survived sections of the artificial harbour, Mulbery, have altered the lie of the once featureless beach.

I watched as two fishermen were beachcasting feathers for mackerel, they did no good. Yet a lone man in waders was casting a lure and catching regularly, popping the catch into a basket on his back. It was a bad day for me, I just did not feel up to fishing. Yep that is a rough day.
We drove to Aramanches to stay the night on an Aire.

7th September
It was a rainy, heavy drizzle, I decide to return to le Hamel at low tide with spinning gear, sure enough the tide cuts an artificial harbour round the remains of Port Winston. You can walk out on the sand to the edge of the lagoons.
 I used my Sea Spin rod and a 50mm silver bar lure. Soon I was landing 1-1.5Kg (2-3 Lb)  Mullet on light gear. Sue stood by my side, "there is one just jumped over there" she would say. A cast into the spot and wow, I'm playing another. One cast was just too close to the Mulbery, the concrete shattered the triple on the lure, huh no problem, I purchased some spares not long ago. With four Mullet in the bag, we can eat and store no more, I don't fish for sport, I eat what I catch, there was sure some sport there though.

We stayed the night on the hill (clifftop) overlooking the sea in the 2Euro car park 'overnight stays allowed.' Compare that with dear old England, there would have been a hight barrier preventing a campingcar getting in to pay £2 an hour in the day.

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5th September
Leaving the Cider farm we headed for Suisse Normandy via Liverot. Here we purchased the cheese of the same name, it has a distinctive cow barn smell when still young.

History lessons start again, we have to pass through the high ground ahead. The pass is the Falaise Gap. One of the D Day missions was to drive the Germans back through the gap and surround them. Roch de Oetre is a high rocky viewpoint, with views down into the river below, you can see its advantage as a defense position. Further on  the gorge at Clecy is very picturesque.

 We stayed at a goat farm at Montchamp.

 The owner is very happy to have camping cars on site. He is proud of his cheese which goes to expensive London restaraunts. Educational visits take place here also.

One regular visitor who knows about goats will turn up, if the Farmer is not there at milking time he does it all for him. Another Italian family cooked an Italian meal for the Farmer and his family, in his kitchen, while they sat back and watched. The Italians have offered a holiday stay in their appartment in Venice for the farmer.

In  the spirit of this international exchange, we boiled some potatoes to a pulp, simmered some brussels sprouts for 1.5 hours, fried some Walls sausages and offered a week in a caravan at Billing Aquadrome just next to the sewage works. We just cannot think why they were not interested.

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3rd September
Around the coast to Dives, Cabourg and  Merville. There are nice sandy  beaches here and some interesting houses too.

Along  the coast a little further you come to the Orme estuary. We turned in across country, missed Pegasus bridge, navigator re-training needed, arriving at Ranville. This was the first village liberated on the 5&6th of  June. Carrying on through rolling Normandy countryside then climbed up to St Germainde Montgommery, here we had fine views from the cider farm we had come to stay at for couple of nights.

A local speciality is a shot of Casis in a glass filled up with Cider. Well since we were there we tried it. Now that is a nice drink, very refreshing on a hot day but wow does it go to your head.We took a trip Into Vermoutier on our bikes next day, it is the milk and cheese center of  the region it has a large dairy market hall and a statue of the mother of Camenbere, the village is just down the road.

 

The town was rebuilt after the war only the church survived fire bombings.

The fire bombings were from a raid of 36 Flying fortresses in one night. Only local French were killed there were no Germans there. The fire station was first to be hit, the hospital was destroyed and its inmates and staff killed. The water supply was wrecked so the locals deserted the town.

A case of faulty intelligence reports, now where did I here of that before.

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