After a lot of planning in the weeks before hand. At last 07.00 the day arrive when a group of intrepid Rats meet at Maidstone the shop for the off.
The ride went via Tunbridge Wells .First stop was to be at the petrol station outside the port of Newhaven. Time was not on our side, we had to go straight to the booking office then onto the ship.
On Board:-Some of the group made a dash for the restaurant whilst others found a comfortable place to relax, and then make a dash to the restaurant. During the next 4 hours the onward route was discussed and formulised. Whist other just enjoyed the sea crossing, by the way the crossing was calm.
On arrival in Dieppe we were meet by another Rat member. Then it was off, next stop via petrol stations on the way to our lodgings at 'La Daviais'.
One point to remember is that some of the French petrol stations use a radio frequency that may have an effect on the ability to restart your M/c 'Jamie' unless you get a big person to bump start it 'Paul'.
Approx 212 miles later we arrive at 'La Daviais' a little later than planned. Where we were meet by the owner and shown to our rooms, or in the case of some, to the dormitory.
The evening meal was great and the wine flowed freely. Well my glass was kept topped up.
Let me tell you now it isn't much fun on the top bunk, and listening to the various sounds of the night!!!! Mind you 4 of us found that the couches down stairs were comfortable.
Day 2 Saturday early start. Only to be greeted with a lot of ground mist.
Our destination, Arromanches, The site of the Mulberry Harbour. It is hard today to imaging what took place on that day the 6th June 1944 and those following weeks.
Paul B had arrange for us all to visit the round cinema to view actual footage of the day of the invasion, and to see the restoration of those areas in the film as they are today.
After short refreshment break in Arromanches it was off to the see 'Omaha' beach which was the landing site for the American forces.
If any of you saw the film Saving Private Ryan, then see this beach head, you will be able to understand just what a task was laid before them on that day, 6th June 1944.
To the rear of the beach is the American war cemetery, commemorating those 11.000 who lost their lives 307 who today still remain unknown
Our next stop was to the German war cemetery at La Cambe.
In its centre is a large mound some 30ft high and approx 60ft round. I have been told that is the spoil from the graves of the 21000 German soldiers who are buried there. Of which only 8000 are named.
On our way back to 'La Daviais' we stopped at the famous town of St Mere Eglise. To see the Paratrooper who ended stranded, and hung up on the church spire, whist down below the Germans were in the town.
You guessed it we arrive back at 'La Daviais' later than planned. After freshening up we all sat down to a feast of chilly rice and of course the inevitable bottle of wine.
Day 3 Sunday all packed and ready to go.
Planned was a visit to Le Mont St Michel quite impressive and very busy, too many French people around I wonder why ?
Our next stop was to see the famous Pegasus Bridge. With its museum. Then it was over the new bridge to the famous café Gondee, for that cup of coffee and a bit to eat. Where we were fortunate enough to meet up with a small group of our RATs who travelled over on the Saturday.
It was decided that we should split up into two groups of bikes. Then make our way back to the port of Dieppe. Ours was led by Paul B.
We should have known better. If ever you wish to see sites off the beaten track then follow Paul. We visited a novel entrance car park to a block of flats. Then saw road works. Visited a roundabout. Then saw the roadwork's from the other direction. Yes you have guessed it; we found the roundabout again, only this time we took the correct exit. And yes we made it to the port just in time. Only to be greeted on arrival in the docks, by the rest of the group who had arrived earlier from the upper deck of the ferry, still we did take the scenic route to the ferry.
It is hoped that very soon you will all be able to see displayed in the shop the signed Union Jack together with a photograph to commemorate our Normandy invasion??
Finally a big thanks to Paul B for (a) coming up with the idea (b)the organisation behind the trip Thanks from us all
JC 2009