arromanches

(Thursday the 31st of may), we all meet up at the half moon cafe at 10:00am ,that is myself -Andy ,Tim,Marina,Gibbo,Marina,Chris,Carol,and Ginge,the weather was over cast, and it started to rain at about 10:30,we all had breakfast at the cafe, and chatted over what were going to do and places to visit wile we were in France, we headed off to the ferry at 12:00pm ready to check in at 12:10,by this time it had stopped raining, but for how long ,the crossing to France was calm and when we got there it had been raining quite heavy ,but it had stopped for now and the sun was trying to come out, we all decided to stop and put are waterproofs on, then we headed off to Arromanches about 2 and a half hours away,4 off us had a G.P.S. so there was no way we were getting lost (you just keep telling yourself that ha ha ha) after about 30 miles yes you guessed it ,it started to rain again, more of a heavy drizzle then rain, this went on for about 50 miles or so, then it stopped, so we pulled over to the side of the road for a rest and a fag ,the rest of the way was dry and the sun even came out, we got the Arromanches at about 7:00pm still dry ,and gibbo ,talk about just making it his bike ran out of petrel right out side Adrian’s house, Adrian very kindly went off and got some petrol for gibbo wile we all had a coffee, then it was on to the hotel, no unpacking, it was straight out for something to eat at the papagal, as most places you have to be seated by 9:00pm a really good meal and plenty of beer was had by all, we had a quick look around the town then off to bed,

(Friday the 1st of June) The next day was hot and sunny, we all went up to Adrian’s place for breakfast, and then set of for the Harley Davidson shop in Carn, which now has moved to Iffs in Carn, the shop if well worth a look around, and a few purchases were made, next it was on to Pegasus bridge we all stopped for a coffee and a bite to eat at the cafe at Pegasus bridge, then on to the museum for look around and take a few photos, next we went to mixed cemetery where there are English Germen buried , for a quick look around,then it was time to do a beer run, so off to a supermarket and load up with beer and took it back to Adrian’s, when we got there we had to sample the goods ,so we had 1 or 2 or 3 (Hic Hic) then we all went back to the hotel for a wash and change then out for a good slap up meal, yes back to the Papagal as it was so good the night before we all decided to go back there, myself and chris got there 15 mins or so before the rest so we had a beer in the bar and got chatting to one of the veterans from the D-day landings, it turned out he was staying up at Adrian’s house, so every one turned up and set down and no one was disappointed as it was still really good, then it was back up to Adrian for ,yes you guessed it more beer and a chat, then off to bed.

.(Saturday the 2nd of June) Sunny again, up to Adrian’s for breakfast a good fry up, and plenty of coffee, we all set off at about 10:30am to the British cemetery and museum which was not far away in Bayeux, the museum was really interesting and there was a cinema in there and a guided tour around the place, then across the road to look at the British cemetery, then back on the Harley's and on to the next stop the German cemetery, “ it was all go” which is on the E46 you can see it as you got down the motorway and you have to turn around at the next junction and come back up the other side of the road to get there, the Germen cemetery is a bit drab compared to the others we looked at, not well kept at all. Next we headed off to Point de hock which was not far from the Germen cemetery which is where the landscape is still littered with bomb craters, we has a good look around took a few photos and then headed off back to Arromanches, “beer time” just as well we did that beer run yesterday, it was going down well, then off to the hotel for a wash and out to “mangez” this time we tried a different restaurant the mulbbry, the food we good but I think we all came out of there still a little hungry, and it was very novel cuisine, small portions, we all set off down the road to this small pub we passed on the way there, and had a night cap.

(Sunday the 3rd of June) Yep the sun was still shining, all up the road for breakfast, then on the bikes to the German battery just up the road where there are 4 large guns, which just 1 of the four was destroyed during the war, next up was the American cemetery, the biggest of them all, which is just above Omahar beach, this one is definitely worth a visit. Next we went up to see some bunkers and tunnels that chris wanted to look at, close to Sainte-mere-eglise, we tried to get into the town of Sainte-mere-eglise next but due to all the celebrations being so close to the 6th of June the town was closed to traffic, so we ended up riding all the way to Cherbourg ,just for the ride, so we all filled up with fuel in Cherbourg ready for the ride back which was about 58 miles, mostly along the E46 doing a steady 80 mph it did not take long to get back as we had planed a BBQ that evening at Adrian house, the BBQ was really good although the sun was not out and it was a little overcast, the evening was still good with plenty of beer cider ,and fruity booze punch, of which Gibbo took a particular liking to ,when it started to get dark Adrian gave us a demo on fire breathing, on which he first attempt he almost set his hair on fire, we all set around the fire drinking till late ,the next day we had to head back home..

(Monday the 4th of June) Up a bit earlier this morning as we had a few things to do before we set off, breakfast then pack, then a quick look around the museum at Arromanches ,then up the 360 cinema to quick take in the film there “worth a look”

now it was time to hit the road ,up to Cancale first, I set my gps the go back the shortest route, to try a different way but after about 35 miles the roads were to bumpy so I reset to go the quickest ,soon got back on the motorway again, in no time at all we were in Cancale, we took a walk along the sea front looking at all the restaurants, soon found one that looked good, this was to be are last meal on this trip, and it was a good one, loads of sea food and lovely stakes, time to head of to Saint Malo, up to the big shopping complex there to do a bit of last minute shopping ,now off to the ferry terminal ready to check in. Over all I say this trip went really well and a really good time was had by all, we are planning to do this again next year.

Written and Edited by Andy~ Webmaster & Editor Guernsey hog