Paris to England -

 Saturday 10th April, 1982                       fine but cold

On the road again after Sandra and Rae walked to Suresnees for jeans and jumper - Rae looks good even the boys say so.

Good bye Paris - after a few tries we were out of Paris and off - stopped at supermarket to fill cupboard with Easter food - then off through Houdan, Dreux, L'angle, Le Pin au Haras - all white fences, St Clare a walled village.  Countryside is beautiful - nice villages old castles etc.

Sunday 11th April, 1982                    sunny but cool             Arromanches camp

Up early, all showered ready for England.  Off to see the museum in the village, very impressive.  I didn't realise just how affected Europe was by war - every time I see a war cemetery I have a weep for the boys who stayed. 

Arromanches Museum

I never realised the invasion was so involved and massive.  We spent all morning at Arromanches and then walked up to mass - a lovely old derelict church with an old derelict priest saying high Mass.  Singing was good old songs I knew.

Back to camp had lunch and on the way to Cherbourg.  Past St Honores des Reters and  on to Omaha to visit American war cemetery - 16,000 men are buried there - they lost 6000 on the first day, sixth of June 1944 out of 60,000.  On past St-Mere-Eglise where the church that featured in the movie "D Day" is - through names of towns that went into history books -Montebourg, La Glacerie and into Cherbourg where we had a two hour wait to board Townsend Thoresen for Southampton at 5:30 p.m..

The sun is smiling in a mock goodbye.  Must see "The Longest Day" again - white wine has caught up with me.

Had a glass topped up for the crossing to Southampton, arriving about 9:45 p.m..  No trouble disembarking and after a little drive found the camp area.

Monday 12th April, 1982                 English soil                 sunny

Awoke to a beautiful sunny morning for our first English morning after so long.  The camp Anwar, was quite nice, and situated in a huge paddock surrounded by cows etc.  On our way to Salisbury to see the lovely Cathedral built in 1012-86.  All in one pattern except for the turret which was added later on. Then to Stonehenge a remarkable mystery - number of stones in a circle thought to be there since 2900 BC - it has a four stage history and thought to be a sundial and for worship.  

Stonehenge

Lunched in the car park with many English out for the day - then on to Beaulieu to visit Montagu Castle-£1.40 entrance for me a senior citizen - vintage car museum, monorail train display and a visit through gardens and Castle. 

A lovely day through English countryside and now we are at Brocklehurst at camping Holland’s Wood.  A lovely camp belonging to Forestry Commission - love these English areas in the wide open spaces - kids run wild.

Shower has a chain but no hot water.  To bed - Sandra and Rae have colds.

Tuesday 13th April, 1982                   sunny

Sun still shines brightly on the new Forest area - up and into village of Brocklehurst to do washing.  Marie and Sandra tackled that whilst I sent mail, went to a bank and shopped.  The village is lovely, small horses wander at will along the streets and footpaths.  Lunched and on way - passed Sway, through Bournemouth to Sandbanks where we caught car ferry across to Corfe Castle - a lovely stone village - then on to Wool where we visited Bovington Camp Tank Museum - the male species enjoyed that.  On the way we noticed a thatched roof being repaired.

On through beautiful countryside in perfect spring weather - winding roads lined with neatly trimmed hedges - barely fitting our vans.  Newly born sheep romp playfully beside contented sheep - fat cattle look lazily at us chugging by.  On through villages with delightful names of Bere Regis, Piddle-on-Trent, Affpuddle, Tolpuddle where the union movement began - with a hotel named after the martyrs, Puddletown, Littlehampton past statue of Thomas Hardy at Dorchester.  He was born near here in Dorset County - we visited "Smith's Arms" England's smallest pub Godmanstone.  

Charles II granted the blacksmith a liquor licence after the king asked for an ale.  The building dates back to the 15th century.

On through Cerne Abbas where we just managed to buy some sausages for tea before closing.  Then up a long hill to the Giant's Head camp area, lovely spot overlooking a green valley.  A lovely day had by all - thanks John.

Wednesday 14th April, 1982              sunny and cold

All up early, beautiful morning, on the road for a little way to the giant - carved in chalk on the hilltop.  180 feet long with a 120 foot club in hand, it may have been an offering for fertility in the Roman days.  On to Sherborne where we shopped in the little shops of the village, a lovely change after the European supermarkets.  Decided to stop at an Inn at Spackford near Marston Magna for a ploughman's lunch - was really friendly pub.  The Innkeeper has a sister in Sydney, (Aunty Fay from Roses restaurant at Crows Nest) - we had a delicious lunch, everything fresh.  On through Prestley, Shepton's Mallet, Boscombe to Wells where we spent an hour in the Cathedral and the village - Sandra, Rae and I sneaked away for an English cuppa, tea and cakes, John found us so we all had refreshments.

Decided to stay at Wookey Hole caravan Park.  All but Sandra and I have gone into the caves.  

Wookey Hole, Wells, UK

Not far from here is Longleat where "to the Manor born" was filmed.  They all liked the caves, though Marie said Jenolan Caves were far superior.

We settled into little caravan Park - clean with hot water.  We are right beside a little clean Brook.  The kids ran wild along the lush green lawns - the parents all went to the Wookey Hole Inn to play darts - a cold crisp moonlight night.

Paris to England - Wookey Hole, Wells, UK