Le Tour du Morgandy - Warning Image Heavy

[fizzwheel]

A few of us have been on a little tour, around Normandy for few days, all planned with military precision by Mogs. The rough plan was to visit the D Day landing sites and take in as much as possible. For many of us it was our first time riding on the continent. Not really sure what to expect so I was a little apprenhensive, I had a tankbag full of documents and bits and pieces so I hoped I was pretty well prepared for the trip. I've always been interested in the history of D-Day I really like watching the 50's black and white war films that depicted the era and events of WWII. So riding the bikes and visiting the areas in depicted in the films was something I was really looking forard to.

The welshies, ( Hovis, Luckypants and Mogs ) grouped up at Vipers for King Size Lasagne portions and then were on their way to Sherborne to meet up with my and my dad. From there was a jaunt in the dark and dropping temperature to Poole.

A bit of banter and anticipation of what was to come,

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0002.jpg

Whilst we were waiting some of the Renault F1 Trucks came off the ferry that we were about to get on

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0004.jpg

Pre Channel Crossing Lunging..

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0008.jpg

The ferry crossing was a night one. Despite several attempts I never managed to get a decent kip. I ended up sleeping on the floor under my bike jacket using my bike trousers as a pillow. COmfortable it was not. Those of you that know me will know I am not a morning person so a 5:30am start was not good !! We left Cherboug and made our way to Sainte-Mère-Église, hoping for rest, a coffee and some breakfast and a chance to wake up. Sadly it was a bit lacking, but we managed to get some provisions from the bakers and made a breakfast of bread and ham.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0009.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0011.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0013.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0014.jpg

After a little while we headed out to Utah Beach, just as it was starting to get light. We had a wander round and I found myself wandering just what it was like on D-Day to come off the landing craft and onto the beach...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0016.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0018.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0019.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0022.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0025.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0028.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0029.jpg

We spent a little time here, just wandering about and nattering. At this point I was flagging and was trying to get myself woken up properly. It was very odd driving on the right or wrong ! side of the road, Roundabouts were taking thought to navigate around and being so tired wasnt helping.

From here we pootled along the coast to the Utah Beach Museum. First stop was for coffee !! which seemed to do the trick and perked me up a little, Then into the Museum. We spent alot of time here there was loads to see and read about. It was really well presented. A really good place to go.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0031.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0034.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0035.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0036.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0037.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0038.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0041.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0044.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0045.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0046.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0047.jpg

By now I'm starting to get a feel for the scale and the sheer numbers of men and equipment involved in making this happen, Its not something that comes across well on the TV.

We spent a good few hours here, the musuem was quiet and I really got into looking around and learning more about what happened. We were all flagging again so we sat on the grass outside and had a rest from here we were heading to our Hotel / base for the week at Arromanches.

Viper was out in front and I'm playing TEC at the back, we stop for Fuel and I notice that the Fuel smells different ( funny the little things you notice ) I'm starting to remember my schoolboy french, I'm very very rusty with it and not to confident with it. So its just a case of muddling through. Bikes filled and we find a place for lunch so with bikes watered and us fed and watered to we press on.

We stopped at Bayeux for a re-group and a consultation with the map.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0052.jpg

Then a short journey onto the hotel, for a well earned shower, beer and food. It was bliss to get out of my sweaty bike gear that I'd been wearing for nearly 24hrs.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0059.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0061.jpg

Being lame I retired to bed at 8:30 completely knackered !!!

Day 2 - Mont Saint-Michel

Mogs had an intinery planned and it was really nice to just to go with the flow and follow along, just taking in the sights. I was getting more used to riding on the right now to. Also noticing how much more courteous the french drivers are. An early start and it wasnt warm, shivering in my textiles made me glad I hadnt worn my leathers.

First fuel stop of the day

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0063.jpg

Hovis is wandering just what Luckypants was up to...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0064.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0067.jpg

The sun started to warm us up and burn off the mist...

Mont Saint-Michel

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0069.jpg

Line up...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0074.jpg

Le Lunge du francias..

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0075.jpg

It really is an impressive feat, getting the stones up there and putting the thing together with just basic tools...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0076.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0080.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0081.jpg

It was one heck of walk in bike kit on a hot day... but the view was worth it

Wheres my bike ? And more importantly wheres Luckypants VFR key...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0084.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0085.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0087.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0089.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0091.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0093.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0095.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0100.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0105.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0117.jpg

Sir Hovis, Knight of the Yellow Blade

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0118.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0120.jpg

Ice Cream

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0122.jpg

Fuel again

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0124.jpg

And then back down the coast road to the Hote

Day 3 - Bayeux, Pegasus Bridge, Omaha Beach and the American War Cememtary and Pointe du Hoc

Another earlish start and another grumpy Fizz in the morning !!

First was a trip to Bayeux and the tapestry and wander around the Musuem and Hovis pondering how to get a sword home in his tank bag and then off to the beaches via the back roads and several changes of direction !!

First off Pegasus Bridge, again another excellent visitor centre, loads and loads of exhibts and so much information about how the bridge was taken.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0129.jpg

Again I found myself wandering what it was like to land in a glider and attack the bridge. Knowing how vital an objective it was. The original bridge isnt in situ over the river anymore, but has been preserved in the museum. You can quite clearly see the battle damage, bullet holes etc etc

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0129.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0130.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0133.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0134.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0141.jpg

As we were feeling pekish we decided to lunch here, but before we could sit down the traffic was stopped so the bridge could be raised.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0145.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0146.jpg

More lunging

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0149.jpg

We stopped here for Lunch, this building was the first building to be liberated.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0151.jpg

From here onto the American War Cemetary overlooking Omaha Beach. It felt strange going in. I wasnt sure what to expect, what would it be like, sounds daft but somehow the idea of riding up on my bike with the exhaust burbling away didnt seem right, but then if the people buried here hadnt done what they had done would I even be doing the trip at all. It was very thought provoking.

As we walked in I notice my own mood and those of everybody else dropping. We'd gone from nattering and some banter in the car park for being quiet to then not really speaking at all. The cemetary itself was incredibly well kept, and nothing really prepared me for the sheer number of headstones, they just stretched away into the horizon...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0153.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0154.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0155.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0156.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0157.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0158.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0166.jpg

From here we went down to Omaha Beach itself.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0169.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0172.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0176.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0181.jpg

Standing here I was still reflecting on what I'd seen, what those troops would have gone through, what it had been like when they got the order to disembark from the landing craft into the see under a hail of bullets. It was more than a little erie, thinking about what had gone on and realsing we were walking in the place where so many troops had lost their lives. I think kViper summed up how I was feeling when he said "Its not really the sort of place you feel like going for a swim is it"

From here it was onto Pointe du Hoc

Big German gun emplacement that the US Rangers had scaled 100ft cliffs to destroy the guns over looking Omaha and Utah Beach. Only to find the guns werent there anymore and had been moved. Before the landings the allies had bombed the hell out of it and it was full of massive bomb craters and alot of it had been destroyed, some of the bombs must have been massive as huge big lumps of concrete had been thrown about.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0186.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0196.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0201.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0202.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0203.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0204.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0206.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0207.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0216.jpg

From here we headed back to the hotel, we filled with fuel at a tiny little garage where the attendant filled the bikes for us, we had a little audience as all the mechanics and the lady from the garage shop came out to watch us leave. Hovis didnt disappoint and gave his bike a big handful as he started it and then he nailed it coming out of the garage onto the road, to approving nods and smiles.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0222.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0224.jpg

I headed back down the beach at Arromanche to get some photos of the temporary breakwater that was created to form Port Winston to protect the floating Mulberry "B" Harbour. A real engineering feat.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0226.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0228.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0231.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0235.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0240.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0243.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0245.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0248.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0253.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0254.jpg

A bite to eat in a local restaurant and something of a fromage faux pas and then back to the hotel

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0259.jpg

Luckypants had an early start the next day as he wasnt able to get on our ferry, despite his best intentions I woke to the sound of his VFR rumbling away up the hill and a very nice alarm clock it was to !!

Straight down the motorway to the ferry

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0260.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0262.jpg

I left the others at Poole as I fancied a run home by myself, so back to mums for a cup of tea, she was rather surprised to see me. I sat and had a natter with her and waited for Dad to show up so he knew I was back and then a quick hop home and I was back.

552 miles covered. Alot of boxes ticked and places visited. It was a little sombre at times, but I'm really glad I've been and seen it. If you are interested in WWII I'd heartily recommend you visit the area. I'd really like to go back as theres so much to see it just wasnt possible to fit it all in in the time we had.

A big thanks to Mogs for organising the ferries and accomodation and sorting out the itinary also to Viper for navigating our way round not an easy task, on the wrong side of the road, not knowing where he was going.

Finally, as I was walking round Pointe du Hoc, in one of the underground bunkers amongst the normal pointless graffiti of scrawled names was this and it really summed up the few days away for me...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/Normandy%202008/DSC_0193.jpg

[Frank]

well said Fizz.This place http://www.oorlogsmuseum-overloon.nl/index.php?t=en
is also worth a visit and is not far from Arnheim

[Ed]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/history/cenotaph/poppy.jpg

[hovis]

nicely put fizz......... i realy enjoyed the trip, apart from the American Cemetary, i have seen pictures, but nothing can prepare you for it, we hardly spoke to each other for about the hour we were there.



fizz was inlisted as the chief photographer, i think we all took pictures, but fizz had a top camera, and has a good eye for photos.

anyway, here is just a few of my better ones......


The original pegasus bridge, which has been moved to the museum
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3319.jpg

the replica pegasus bridge,
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3327.jpg

lunch at the pegasus cafe, which was the first building to be liberated
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3328.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3338.jpg

the veiw out of an underground bunker at Pointe du Hoc

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3335.jpg

viper, stood on the remains of an underground bunker at Pointe du Hoc
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k295/hovi5/dcp_3336.jpg

[xXBADGERXx]

I`m envious of you guys , you have seen some awe inspiring sights , a truly nice jaunt through France and loved reading and looking at your pictures :D

[BanannaMan]

Great pics!!! :cool:
And trip!!!




And the D-day memorial is of special interest to me since a great deal of those who died there came from right here where I live.
America has a D-day memorial in the nearby town of Bedford, Virginia, the community that lost the most soldiers there.

Although most have passed on now, I've known several soldiers who were there that day. Amazing stories of both death and survival.
Can't imagine riding a boat though a red sea, stained with blood, amoungst the bodies floating around to try to land on a beach covered with more dead bodies ....while bullets are falling like rain from the sky.
Was bloody **** they say.

[Speedy Claire]

Fantastic pics and glad you all had a great time.

It must have been an incredible experience to see and walk those beaches knowing what happened there and the thousands of brave troops who lost their lives. The sheer fear those men must have felt on landing and instantly being faced with booming german guns! and as Banana Man said...... a sea stained red with blood.

The cemetary looks beautifully maintained, an extremely sad reminder of the huge human sacrifice... without which Europe and the world would be a very different place

[Welsh_Wizard]

that looks like a wicked little jaunt.. nice pics and write ups...

[Dangerous Dave]

Fantastic pictures, beach landings are scary and for what these men did for us on that day was truly amazing.

[Luckypants]

It was a great trip, in great company. It is hard to say how humbling it was to visit those places where so recently (in historical terms) gave up everything they had to protect our freedoms. Fizz has put it very well and there is little to add photographically, but here are a few I took.

Al-fresco breakfast in St Mere-Eglise

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985557_6674.jpg

The Mont St-Michel

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985564_9211.jpg

Cloisters in the Abbaie Mont St-Michel

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985577_4146.jpg

Arromanches, where we stayed. The remains of the WWII mulberry harbour is in the bay.

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985582_6088.jpg

There was some serious hardware back then

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985585_7332.jpg

These were the most poignant memorials

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v329/214/80/677353213/n677353213_985591_9782.jpg

[Quiff Wichard]

superb write up.

brought back some images for me- i went to allthose places with school.
my mum still has a copper carving wall ornament that I bought her from mon st michael. ..


looked good.. I mighta come- if I had known about it.! see all this work and I miss out on the trips.

glad you all home safe.

and finally.

a quick thought to all those that lost their lives there so that we could live free.

[plowsie]

Very good write up and some good pics there guys. I bet the cemetary would be quite chilling for me. Thanks for sharing it chaps.

[Tim in Belgium]

Looks and sounds like you had a good trip with loads of culture, very impressive!

[chris8886]

looks like it was a good trip. a very humbling experience, although mine was to the french/blegium border and the WWI sites, which was fantastic. would very much like to do it again.