European Adventure
- Thread starter Dan_seed
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Tuesday Day 39 - Chimay to Albert (France)
Mileage: 148km
We decided today that we would get relatively close to the French coast so that we could have a relaxing last few days. We spotted the Somme area and thought this would be a good area to visit. We decided to head for Albert and found a municipal campsite on the internet that looked nice.
The sat nav did the work again today so an easy ride took us towards our destination. As we entered the area we started to see the cemeteries of many nationalities from the first world war. We stopped at the Pozieres British cemetery and were amazed at the size. Little did we know this was only one of many......we needed to educate ourselves a little more. We decided to get the camp sorted and head to the Somme museum in Albert to get a history lesson. This is a great place to visit to get a better understanding of the history around the war and the area. It certainly opened our eyes. We decided that the following day we could not just leave, we should go and experience some more of the area.
We decided that this evening we would have some home cooking and went to the supermarket to stock up.
It was really quite nice to able to site in the quiet of the campsite and have a chance to think about what we had learnt that day and the area in which so much fighting had happened.
A wet start
Pozieres cemetery
The evening campsite
Mileage: 148km
We decided today that we would get relatively close to the French coast so that we could have a relaxing last few days. We spotted the Somme area and thought this would be a good area to visit. We decided to head for Albert and found a municipal campsite on the internet that looked nice.
The sat nav did the work again today so an easy ride took us towards our destination. As we entered the area we started to see the cemeteries of many nationalities from the first world war. We stopped at the Pozieres British cemetery and were amazed at the size. Little did we know this was only one of many......we needed to educate ourselves a little more. We decided to get the camp sorted and head to the Somme museum in Albert to get a history lesson. This is a great place to visit to get a better understanding of the history around the war and the area. It certainly opened our eyes. We decided that the following day we could not just leave, we should go and experience some more of the area.
We decided that this evening we would have some home cooking and went to the supermarket to stock up.
It was really quite nice to able to site in the quiet of the campsite and have a chance to think about what we had learnt that day and the area in which so much fighting had happened.
A wet start
Pozieres cemetery
The evening campsite
Wednesday Day 40 - Albert to Wimeraux
Mileage: 184km
We had decided to head to the Thiepval Memorial and also Delville wood today before heading to Wimeraux, where we had some accommodation booked.
The memorial is currently undergoing some restoration work and therefore you could not take it all in but we still got a feeling for the scale of the monument and what it stood for. Very humbling!
From here we wanted to head to Delville wood (known as devils wood) where the South African army fought and thousands of men died in the 5 day battle here. The wood was also destroyed at the time but has been replanted, the ground however was left in the way it was deformed from the explosions of shells etc. It was quiet dramatic to see this deformation and to think how many men still lay in this wood.
We then made our way to Wimeraux where we had booked a mobile home for 2 nights so that we could relax and catchup on sleep before heading back to the chaos of life at home and work.
We checked in to our Caravan and then went to supermarket to stock up and lock ourselves in for the evening. We even had the chance to play cards. This is something that at does not happen too often as Laura is very competitive and usually wins. Tonight however the luck was with me and I think we can safely say that Daniel was the winner and played fantastically!
Time for a pic with the bike in the sun:
Thiepval memorial
Delville wood
Mileage: 184km
We had decided to head to the Thiepval Memorial and also Delville wood today before heading to Wimeraux, where we had some accommodation booked.
The memorial is currently undergoing some restoration work and therefore you could not take it all in but we still got a feeling for the scale of the monument and what it stood for. Very humbling!
From here we wanted to head to Delville wood (known as devils wood) where the South African army fought and thousands of men died in the 5 day battle here. The wood was also destroyed at the time but has been replanted, the ground however was left in the way it was deformed from the explosions of shells etc. It was quiet dramatic to see this deformation and to think how many men still lay in this wood.
We then made our way to Wimeraux where we had booked a mobile home for 2 nights so that we could relax and catchup on sleep before heading back to the chaos of life at home and work.
We checked in to our Caravan and then went to supermarket to stock up and lock ourselves in for the evening. We even had the chance to play cards. This is something that at does not happen too often as Laura is very competitive and usually wins. Tonight however the luck was with me and I think we can safely say that Daniel was the winner and played fantastically!
Time for a pic with the bike in the sun:
Thiepval memorial
Delville wood
Thursday Day 41 -Rest Day Wimeraux
Mileage: zero!
Today was planned to be a relaxing day, catching up on some sleep and generally chilling out. After a late get up we spent time listening to music, eating and updating the blog and pics etc. in the afternoon we took a walk into Wimeraux and found several kite surfers practicing for an event this weekend. The place was much quieter than the last time we visited although that would have been mid August. Was lovely to blow the cobwebs away and then return to the chalet/ mobile home for some home cooking and another bottle of wine.
Angry sky:
Our first view of England for just under 6 weeks:
Crazy kite surfers
No beach to be seen today:
Sums up our last few countries:
Chopper:
Our little chalet:
Mileage: zero!
Today was planned to be a relaxing day, catching up on some sleep and generally chilling out. After a late get up we spent time listening to music, eating and updating the blog and pics etc. in the afternoon we took a walk into Wimeraux and found several kite surfers practicing for an event this weekend. The place was much quieter than the last time we visited although that would have been mid August. Was lovely to blow the cobwebs away and then return to the chalet/ mobile home for some home cooking and another bottle of wine.
Angry sky:
Our first view of England for just under 6 weeks:
Crazy kite surfers
No beach to be seen today:
Sums up our last few countries:
Chopper:
Our little chalet:
Well done Dan/Laura I have read the lot what a fantastic time you both have had. I'm only in Grendon so perhaps when you have had time to reacclimatise I could pick your brains regarding european travel do and dont's as I'm looking to head of next year.
(RIP) Geriatric Germ
Registered user
Hi Dan & Laura, we enjoyed your trip write up and are looking to go next summer (but in Clou our Motor Home) 
Your little Bongo served us well and we sold him after use to a couple in North Wales, nice to see you are still enjoying your selves and wish you both well, maybe catch up with you sometime.
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Your little Bongo served us well and we sold him after use to a couple in North Wales, nice to see you are still enjoying your selves and wish you both well, maybe catch up with you sometime.
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