"D-Day" visit. (For Gord).

[Sir Limpsalot]

A few of these pics were posted here a couple of years back, while Gord was in China. Knowing him to be something of a recent history buff, I was going to PM him the following. Then I decided that I might as well post it for all.

The Normandy coast is a beautiful, peaceful place. This is how it looks today.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06020.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06067.jpg

The Allies fight back against the Nazis started here on 6th June 1944. On the night of the 5th British troops were flown in in gliders. Part of their job was to secure the Benouville bridge over the Caen canal. This later became known as the Pegasus Bridge in their honour (Pegasus was a winged horse, the regimental badge).

The original bridge remained in service for many years, being recently replaced with this modern one in the original style.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06107.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06106.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06105.jpg

The original now forms part of a small museum dedicated to the landings.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06081.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06068.jpg

The British commander of the raid, Major John Howard is remembered with a statue and the French have named a road after him.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06082.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06104.jpg

In the outside area of the museum are the larger exhibits.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06083.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06097.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06098.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06080.jpg

And a hero is remembered.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06093.jpg

Inside there are display cases (which make photography tricky - sorry).

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06099.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06100.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06101.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06102.jpg

The whole area is packed with reminders of the past. This gun emplacement is on the seafront of a random little town nearby.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06112.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06113.jpg

The inevitable result of war. Death. At least our fallen warriors are given a decent resting place.
This is a small corner of one of the smaller cemetaries.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06125.jpg


http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06126.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/normandy06127.jpg

France is a great place to visit (a great place to live, come to think of it) I can't wait to return.

Si.

[BobFV1]

Thanks for sharing those, Simon! RIP Lance Corporal Mullen. My Dad landed at Normandy on about D plus 3 but I have never made it back there. Have been to Nettuno in Italy - people forget about the "other" allied invasion in Italy.

[DarthRider]

Thanks much for "going public" with that post Si.
We need to see these things often.

[Deans BMW]

Thanks Si.

[Gord]

Si - most excellent post. Thanks for sharing. It's always interesting to see how yesterday's battlefields have withstood the passing of time. It is wonderful to see that while tiime has passed, memories persevere. We owe a huge debt to that generation who gave so much.

[isiahstites]

Simon - Thank you so very much for all of your posts with great photos from what seems like to me another world away from here.

Between your posts and Bobs world travels I now know that someday I need to catch a flight across the pond to experience your way of life versus here. I am so fascinated with all of yours and Bobs posts of lands far away and am quite ashamed about how ignorant I am of your culture and other countries cultures.

Again, thanks and please keep educating me.......

Scott

[Ed K]

Si... What a contrast... now and then.

Glad that is remains a place respectful of the past.

[SV Andy]

Great stuff Si, i wonder, day trip to France maybe. Andy.

[Boyaghan]

Thanks Simon. Your post has reminded me that I really must make an effort to get over to the the D-Day landing beaches. It's been on my 'to do' list for a while. Another forum I post on (Bikers Oracle) has a trip organised but the dates don't suit me :( So, I've been looking around for a short touring package where the dates are flexible and found Bike Normandy (http://www.bikenormandy.com/whatwedo_tour4.htm). Seems suitable for what I want.

Thanks again for the photos :)

[Arby]

Thank you , Si. You've got a way with the camera. Glad you didn't keep this posting private.

Judy's brother likes France so much, he keeps an apartment (or flat?)in Paris. Just flies back & forth as it suits him.

RB

[Sir Limpsalot]

Judy's brother likes France so much, he keeps an apartment (or flat?)in Paris. Just flies back & forth as it suits him.

RB

I love Paris. Lin and I spent our honeymoon there but have only been back once since. It's time we went again I think. The Euro is very strong against the pound right now though, makes continental travel a lot more expensive than it used to be.

Andy, why not? A day wouldn't hurt. We could sprint down to Amiens for lunch and take pic's of their Cathedrall for the guys..

Barry, go for it you'll love it. I promise.

Si.