Wednesday morning is market day in Brugge. Lots of fresh fruit, vegs, meats, flowers, breads, cheeses etc for sale and plenty of good things to eat
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bicycles at train station at Brugge
There were thousands of bicycles in the racks outside the railway station. Bikes seem to be the way to go here
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Brugge
Well the driving part of the holiday is over but after we loaded George we still had about a week up our sleeve before we returned home.
After speaking to some of the Belgiums in the caravan park we decided to spend part of that time in Brugge. We caught the train from Antwerp and when we arrived at the train station chose a hotel from the book provided by the Information Centre. It is a lovely old hotel right in the centre of town and close to the train and bus station. The staff are really friendly and it appears to be a family run business. Best of all we have our own shower that we do not have to keep pressing every 10 seconds to keep running and the water is as hot as we want to make it. We also have a toilet we can sit on (with the luxury of a toilet seat) with toilet paper provided - now that is style compared with what we have been used to for the last 8 weeks. Jim has also reacquainted himself with the remote control and we have been watching about 10 channels at one time!!
Brugge is full of beautiful old buildings dating way back to before the 15th century. There are canals going through part of the city so we took an enjoyable boat trip along the canals. Brugge is famous for its lace making and tapestries and there are lots of shops displaying these beautiful items. I had an afternoon shopping by myself so wandered around these for hours doing lots of looking and admiring.
Today we caught a train to Blankenberg which is a coastal town on the North Sea. There were lots of tall buildings, small beach huts in penned off areas and light brown water. We then caught the tram to a town further along the coast called De Haan which we enjoyed more due to the interesting buildings in the town. There were lots of people sunning themselves on the benches and a couple of groups of schoolchildren playing on the beach. It was not what we considered warm enough for swimming but there were a couple of people brave enough to go for a dip.
It's over
Well as it is the end of the driving trip for George it would be appropriate to say our thanks to those who made the trip possible for both Jim and myself.
We would like to thank Lang and Bev Kidby for organising the trip and making it so successful. Without Lang planting the seed we would never have considered undertaking such a journey – it just never would have even entered our heads. There possibly would have been times when we were horribly ‘misplaced’ that we wondered why we ever considered it, but at the end of the day when we found our campsite and our nerves were calmed down we had time to reflect on the sites and wonderful places of interest that we had been to during the day.
George, well what can we say about a 65 year old vehicle that tackled and handled every challenge that we put before him during the 6,400 Kilometre trip. Without him performing so well the whole trip would never have been so enjoyable. The mountains were certainly a huge challenge for him, but except for fuel vaporisation going up the Simplon Pass (2,008 metres) between Italy and Switzerland he never let us down. He was our transport and shelter for the 49 days that we needed him and he will never have to tackle such a challenge again. The attention the vehicles brought along the way certainly introduced us to people that we would never have met had we been driving in a conventional vehicle and we certainly met some characters. I am sure that there are thousands of photos of George somewhere out there in cyberspace as there seemed to be cameras flashing all the time. Perhaps it’s his good looks!!! When we met people and told them where we came from and where we were going they were amazed and some even said jokingly that we must be crazy – we would have to agree with them there!
To all those who helped Jim prepare George for this adventure we are very grateful for your time and effort. Cliff did such a good job with the woodwork in the van body that we always had a comfortable night’s sleep and somewhere to shelter if the weather was not to our liking.
Fortunately we had bought maps for each country that we were to visit and purchased a GPS which we called “Norma”. Norma was never intended to be used as the prime source of navigation but rather as a backup to the maps. Without her life would have been very difficult. Even though she did not always perform on the new roads and highways she seemed to guide us through the old cities and villages and at times we thought she was leading us into a farmer’s yard only to discover it was a tiny little road which lead to another tiny little road, but which eventually got us to where we were supposed to be. Every so often she would have a “bad hair” day and konk out at a pretty crucial moment – they were not our ‘good’ days and she was not called “Norma” on those days. Jim and I preferred to travel on our own as we found that if you had anyone following it was always the day that you got horribly lost. If there was just the two of us we could stop on the road and quietly work out where we were to go and it was very satisfying at the end of the day to rock up at the campsite at a reasonable time. We discovered very early in the trip that if you did not know where you were it was best to ask straight away rather than spend hours getting lost and frustrated. This helped both the driver and navigator survive the day. Jim thought the 2 day stopovers were very beneficial for the harmony between driver and navigator and nicknamed the second day as “make-up day”. The first day some of the couples were not talking but by the second they had made up.
Europe certainly provided us with some beautiful weather which was very much appreciated for those of us who did not have or chose not to fit windows to the top of our doors. We found that we had much better vision without the windows fitted and preferred to wear warmer gear if it got a bit chilly. Except for a few rainy days at the beginning and end of the trip we had some quite warm and sunny days which is very unusual in Europe at this time of the year.
As for the scenery it was just amazing. Around every corner there was a new and beautiful vista and something to marvel at. We have never encountered such mountainous countryside before, especially like that in Crete, Italy and Switzerland. It was not very comforting when the driver proclaimed that he did not feel too good travelling with the steep drop on his side!! Spring in Europe is certainly a great time to visit. Everything is lush and green, crops are thick and would make our farmers envious and the flowers and shrubs are in full bloom.
Our fellow travellers were a great bunch of people and the guys were quick to help out those that had problems with their vehicles. Fortunately there were no major breakdowns and every vehicle made it to the end. We had lots of different characters amongst us all which made the trip more interesting. We have made some lovely friends and fortunately with the aid of the internet will be able to keep these friendships going.
Also, very importantly, we have very good neighbours that have looked after our cats, Tom and Rupie, collected our mail while we have been away and generally kept an eye on the place. My sister and her husband have also dropped by and watered the garden and given the cats an extra pat.
As for the scenery it was just amazing. Around every corner there was a new and beautiful vista and something to marvel at. We have never encountered such mountainous countryside before, especially like that in Crete, Italy and Switzerland. It was not very comforting when the driver proclaimed that he did not feel too good travelling with the steep drop on his side!! Spring in Europe is certainly a great time to visit. Everything is lush and green, crops are thick and would make our farmers envious and the flowers and shrubs are in full bloom.
Our fellow travellers were a great bunch of people and the guys were quick to help out those that had problems with their vehicles. Fortunately there were no major breakdowns and every vehicle made it to the end. We had lots of different characters amongst us all which made the trip more interesting. We have made some lovely friends and fortunately with the aid of the internet will be able to keep these friendships going.
Also, very importantly, we have very good neighbours that have looked after our cats, Tom and Rupie, collected our mail while we have been away and generally kept an eye on the place. My sister and her husband have also dropped by and watered the garden and given the cats an extra pat.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Antwerp
After farewells to those that were not going to Antwerp to load their vehicles we set off to our campsite north of Antwerp. We used the back roads as much as we could and then went towards Antwerp on the freeway. It was raining on and off and the freeway was busy with lots of large trucks.
We had heard that the traffic in Antwerp was worse than any other we had come across so far so we did a broad arc of the city and arrived at our campsite without any hassles although without a GPS it would have been very difficult. Everyone except us was due to pack their vehicle in a container the next morning (Friday) so the park was a hive of activity. Our park was only 3kms from the shipping agent's yard and there was a car cleaning facility about 7kms away where the vehicles could be pressure cleaned.
That night there was a massive thunderstorm with thunder, lightning and hailstones. All the canvas on the vehicles got drenched. The next morning the sun began to shine and fortunately was fine while the group prepared their vehicles at the shipping agent's yard.
Sam and Lorraine farewelled the Studebaker which had been their home for the duration of the trip. The buyers had arranged to pick it up from the yard.
After everyone had their vehicle loaded some returned to the caravan park for the night and others made their way with their luggage to the bus stop to catch the bus to Antwerp.
As we were the only ones not loading that day we were able to use our vehicle to shuttle some of the group back to the caravan park.
We spent Friday and Saturday morning cleaning out the van and then pressure cleaned it in the afternoon. We put the tent out to dry as it had got wet in Normandy and this was the first opportunity we had to get it dry. It was almost dry on Saturday night but as it was still fine when we went to bed and the weather was not predicted to change until Sunday evening we decided to give it another day to dry out completely. Unfortunately that night there was another thunderstorm and our tent was wet again. All weekend we were putting up and taking down the tent to try and get it dry.
Fortunately we managed to dry out the tent by Monday night. We were due at the shipping agent's yard at 9.00am on Tuesday so after saying goodbye to our Belgium/Spanish fellow camper we set off in George for the last time in Europe. All went smoothly with preparing the container and George and with the help of the staff who provided a forklift so that Jim could take off the front wheels she was loaded in the container.
We left the yard at about 1.15pm and caught the bus to Antwerp.
Ypres
This magnificent building had been rebuilt more than once as a result of the damaged caused during the wars
Villiers Bretonneux
We left Normandy and travelled towards Dieppe along the freeway. We crossed over a magnificent bridge near Honfleur which was like going up and over a hill as it had to be high enough to allow ships to travel underneath. After Le Havre we headed towards the coast on a backroad and enjoyed the open spaces of the countryside. The type of housing began to change to include some Tudor style homes. The drive along the coast was very picturesque and we saw tiny little huts on the (rocky) beach and very expensive villas and chateaux.
We had an overnight stop at a lovely caravan park beside a flowing creek. Dieppe was the place on the Atlantic wall that the allies attempted a raid several years before D Day. The attacking force consisted mainly of Canadians and was a disaster, of the 6000 troops nearly 2/3rds were lost being either killed or captured. The next morning after visiting the Canadian Cemetery where there are 950 buried, we set off towards Villiers Bretonneux. It rained on and off all day but we toughed it out and left the windows off the van - vision is restricted once these are on.
There is a wonderfully maintained Australian Cemetery at Villiers Bretonneux dedicated to the Australians (and others) who lost their lives during WWI. There is a register of those who are buried in the graveyard and another register of all those that were killed. Jim found the name of one of his relatives listed in the register.
We then went to the Australian Museum in the town which is dedicated to the Australian Soldiers. There were lots of pictures, war weapons, uniforms and lots more to see. We sat and watched a film provided to the museum by the Australian War Memorial Canberra on the attack organised by Monash in 1918. We were very impressed to think that a small village like this would have a whole museum dedicated just to the Aussies. We were told by a local shop owner that our vehicle parked in the street had a constant stream of photo takers as the kangaroo over the boomerang as our divisional sign would have indicated it was an Australian vehicle.
Our caravan park was in the town of Le Hamel which had also been mentioned in the film at the museum.
The next day we visited the Memorial at Hamel which is built on a hill that was on the battle line and looking in all directions one can see the strategic value of this hill as it is an excellent vantage point. We then travelled through back roads through many villages, the villages are so close that you no sooner end the speed limit of one village and you enter the next one. We then visited a British War Cemetery (one of many in this area) and a large crater left after they tunneled under the enemy's trenches and set off a massive explosion just before an attack.
That night we went to Ypres (Ieper) where the Last Post is played at the Menin Gate each night every day of the year at 8.00pm. It was a very moving experience and there were lots of people there to watch including busloads of schoolchildren. Also present were troops from UK's sixth armoured division (mailed fist) doing marching and salutes.
The buildings in the main square of Ypres are spectacular and apparently have been rebuilt more than once after being damaged during the wars.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
D-Day celebrations
We assembled at the caravan park at 10.00am as we were going to drive in convoy with the British to a spot north of Arromanches. Quite a few of the roads had been closed due to Obama's visit so our convoy was through the back roads to a beach near St Comes. The "Military Police" on their motorcycles stopped traffic and allowed us to successfully maintain our convoy. Fortunately they were at each intersection so that we could not take the incorrect road. The roads through this area are narrow and windy with many crossroads so it makes it hard to follow the vehicle in front of you.
We parked in the carpark next to the beach until it was time to drive on the beach to Arromanches. There were lots of people wandering amongst the vehicles taking pictures and asking lots of questions.
The vehicles were organised in the appropriate order for the drive and at the request of Lang the Aussies and New Zealanders were at the end as we had to leave earlier than them. We drove along the beach to Arromanches where there was a crowd gathered to welcome us. There appeared to be a bit of friendly competition as to who could drive through the mud hole without getting bogged (I later found out to be a sewerage drain - so no wonder it was on the nose). Those that didn't make it had to be towed and those that did were pretty happy.
The British contingent broke a record with having 140+ motorcycles (British) on Arromanches Beach. This should appear in the Guinness Book of Records.
We left the beach around 3.45pm as we had to drive to Noyers Bocage for a wreath laying cemetery at the memorial dedicated to the Typhoon Pilots killed during Normandy landings. The Mayor of the town was present and welcomed us to his town.
After the ceremony we then drove in convoy to Chateau D'Amaye Sur-Seulles where we were welcomed by Anna and Frank and along with many friends of theirs sat down to a lovely meal provided by them. There was lots to eat and drink and they made us feel very welcome. They had set up tables in their grounds but unfortunately it rained late in the afternoon and they had to arrange seating inside. Some stayed the night camped in and under their vehicles and the rest of us drove home. Without the aid of the GPS we would still be driving through the rabbit warrens.
Normandy celebrations
5 June 2009
Fireworks were planned for late that evening along the beaches. We set off around 9.00pm with the McKinneys so that we would get a good vantage point before the crowd built up. Jim and Ray were in the front of "George" and Jenny and I were locked up in the back. We found a good spot at the top of a hill and settled down with our chairs, lots of blankets and a cuppa as it was very cold outside and the wind had a real nip in it.
People chatted to us as they arrived and so many seemed to know about the Aussies/NZ who drove from Turkey in their military vehicles. We were invited to tea by a German couple who were camping in their mobile home and to some apple cider/liqueur by a French guy. Both of these we gracefully declined as we had already eaten and were a bit scared of how potent the apple liqueur might be as the Frenchman described it with much gusto.
The fireworks were set off at various spots along the coast simultaneously and were a magnificent sight. Well worth getting frozen for.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Federal Tank Transporter
A Federal Tank Transporter fitted with a 6-71 GM Diesel engine belonging to a British group
Normandy/Arromanches
Yesterday Jim and Ray (NZ) drove along the Normandy coast road looking at the various sites and the different variety of vehicles. There were lots of jeeps and nearly as many Dodges 4x4, 4x6 and some heavy vehicles.
The numbers of military personnel are starting to build up due to Barack Obama's visit and we heard that Prince Charles is also arriving for D-Day - the roads will be chaotic. There have also been quite a lot of military helicopters flying around.
Today Jim and I went to Arromanches which is not far up the coast from our caravan park and had a picnic lunch in a quiet little country road. We knew that once we arrived at Arromanches the traffic would be horrendous and not much chance of getting a spot along the ocean. There are a lot of old military vehicles around and of course, mobile homes in every available parking spot. It is a bit hard to detect the 'real' army from the 'dress up' army as some military enthusiasts go all out for this occasion and look a bit like Dad's Army. We are not used to seeing our members dressed up in full garb (thankfully).
Fortunately the weather has been perfect although there does look to be a change coming in.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Normandy
We have finally arrived in Normandy which was our ultimate goal. We are camped with the British Military Trust members in a lovely caravan park at Etreham. Normandy is full of military vehicles in all shapes and sizes namely from US, Czech Republic and the UK to name just a few. There has been lots of picture taking by everyone.
Today we spent wandering through the American Cemetery on the edge of Omaha Beach. It is situated on a very picturesque spot right beside the ocean. In the information section they have continuous movies and lots of written information and pictures to view.
Barack Obama is due to visit on D-Day so preparations are underway and security is tight. There were US marines, French soldiers, sniffer dogs and security guards there already.
We then went to various other museums and sites and then drove down on to the beach at Omaha. There were vehicles on the beach so Jim decided to drive George down also (nothing to do with the fact that the Kiwis had successfully managed it!). The sand is so hard when the tide is out that even when you stand on it there is no impression left (or we have lost lots of weight – somehow I don’t think so with all this French bread!!).
There are lots of interesting vehicles in both the caravan park and driving around the streets. We saw a lot of vehicles from the Czech Republic parked at one spot we visited. Everyone is very friendly and interested in each other’s vehicles and particularly the fact that we have driven so far to be here for D-Day.
Country retreat
We spent a night camped at Peter and Marjory Tombs' country villa. Peter and Marjory made us feel very welcome and allowed us to camp on their 5 acre property. Peter is also a collector of military vehicles and we were all very impressed with his collection housed in a large shed that he had raced to get finished before our visit.
Peter and Marjory invited us to a BBQ tea and provided all the food and drinks. Marjory had organised a cake decorated with the Aussie flag so we sang our National Anthem and cut the cake.
A friend of theirs is a music teacher who plays the guitar so along with Sam on his saxaphone and Dale on his guitar we had an enjoyable night of music and singing.
Le Mont Saint Michel
We spent 2 lovely days close to Le Mont Saint Michel. We set off early in the morning to go for a photo shoot at the monastery. Fortunately they let us line up on the road so that we could take our photo and then we quickly moved on.
We spent the day driving along the coast to St Malo and through the quaint little villages. Very rural and lush and green. Lots of mobile homes on the road and camped in the carparks designated for them. It seems the best way to travel through Europe rather than tow a caravan - the roads are far too narrow and the buildings are too close to the road.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Paris
Our campsite was in the centre of Paris so we were all very anxious about driving through the traffic in Paris. We set off early in the day so that we would not be driving through peak hour traffic. The trip through Paris seemed to last forever and the traffic was horrendous with merging traffic everywhere. Much to our relief we eventually made it to our campsite alongside the river Seine.
The next morning some of the guys went to the Paris Military Collectors sheds and when they returned mid afternoon we caught a bus with the 2 couples from NZ and set off to explore the sights of Paris. We had a long walk from the bus stop to the Arc de Triumphe and Eiffel Tower which are far more impressive in reality than in the movies. Paris is a very busy city with lots of beautiful buildings and interesting things to look at.
We were amazed at the parking skills of the drivers - they seem to park with just centimetres to spare between the vehicles. Most of the vehicles are small and there are a lot of motorbikes and scooters.
It had been suggested that we might go and have a picture shoot at the Arc early the next morning but after watching the traffic going around the roundabout with 12 exits it became the furtherest thing from our mind.
Paris Military Collectors Group
We were invited by the Paris Military Collectors Group to have a look at their vehicles stored in some large sheds loaned to them by the Defence Department. Henri, who is known to many in Oz and who went on the 2005 trip to Alice Springs, escorted us through the Paris traffic to their sheds.
There was a large variety of vehicles ranging from Dragon Wagons down to pushbikes and they were very impressive. They also had Sherman tanks, one with a new old stock engine.
Their club members meet there regularly to carry out work on their own vehicles as well as the club vehicles. They were very hospitable to us and made us feel very welcome. We were treated to lunch and drinks.
It was a magnificent collection and we were all very envious.
Jim
Friday, May 29, 2009
Verdun
A two night stop here enabled us to explore the WWI battle sites and museums around Verdun. Verdun was the scene of some very heavy fighting between Germany and France during WWI. Just out of Verdun is a massive monument built to commemorate the soldiers killed during the two years' battle. In the lower part of the large building the bones of 130,000 unknown soldiers (German and French) are piled and these can be viewed through glass windows.
Also there are some very comprehensive museums nearby with continuous running films and much war memorabilia. There are also several forts which can be toured - these are several stories deep and are cold and wet inside.
All the surrounding countryside, even though the trees have grown back, still has the bomb craters and trenches that have not been disturbed since 1918.
One comes away feeling very sad at the enormous loss of life.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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