British Expeditionary Force.

What the buzz, tell me what's a happening?

It's that time of year when flights and ferries have to be booked to get the best deals. I just checked flight and ferry return and can get it for around £100. At the moment I plan to stay at Les Capucines in Ranville leaving Scotland 31/05/2007 staying in Poole for a day or two and getting the Ferry on the 1st or 2nd of June and returning a week to ten days later.

Any ideas of dates, where and accommodation plans Andy, Steve and Len? Cost sharing would be an idea for accommodation etc and I will pay my way in petrol costs Andy. The quicker I book the better for the flight, the ferry is a static price.

Ian

If several of you want to team up, I propose my help to find a cottage to rent.
Better than a flat mattress and dry towel, isn't it Andy???

Well, I'm going. I'll be at Ranville like last year. But i'm still waiting on a schedule of the events to plan my trip to the detail.

oops, sorry, probably 2009...

I will be going this year again Ian. Although as Steven says I will need to see what events are scheduled first before I do my itiniery, I would like to be near Pegasus bridge again. Ferry wise I prefer the fast one into Ouistreham or Cherbourg. I probably wont do more than 3- 4 days. I`d like to see Falaise this year. As long as I have a shaving point I`ll be happy as I dont want to be scruffy on parade when Frederick inspects us, you know what a stickler he is for discipline.

Frederick had Andy on report last year. There are facilities at Les Capucines camp site, I wet shave so it's no problem. Does the ferry to Cherbourg leave from Poole? It would be ideal for me if we were to stay near that area, but it's a trek and a half to Pegasus. At the moment it's Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham).

Look forward to meeting up with you again and Steven. Tripe with chips, mussells and chips downed with a glass of calvados here I come.

That cottage sounds ideal Nathalie and worth considering, are there any in the Ranville area? If so can you PM the details and I will contact the invasion force from the UK. My fall back is my trusty tent.

Well im in a real tizzy guys, Steve and I were planning on taking Len as some of you know. But of course Len cant commit because of Irene's and his own health! So of course if we book anything theres the possibility he wont be able to come. Then there is another matter of a very good friends wedding that I dont want to miss. Ideally I would like to do both, but at this point in time I just dont know if I will be able to afford to do both, especially if it involves Len going. Then of course I also have to arrange for somebody to have my daughter!! Being a single parent is far from easy, is it Nathalie?

So I just dont know, if Len can go and I cant is anyone able to help Steve with Len, in regards to chipping in with costs in accomodation and helping him getting Len about? I think being with Len when he finally makes it back would be something very special for any of us to witness.

Andy (confuzzled)

It would be an honour to accompany Len. I don't have transport and only have a motorcycle licence so driving is out I'm afraid, but will help re costs and act as guard of honour and help any way I can. Andy/Steve PM me re provisional plans, accommodation etc if known.

Ian

Ian If you do go with Len, please be sure to keep Len out of the sun at all cost. I'm tempted to say you need to take a bottle of air and a mask (NOT an oxygen bottle) but I think Len will know what he needs!

I hope Len can get to Normandy and he'll enjoy every moment of it.

Ian, I'll look into it and let you know. This type of accommodation would be ideal for Len, not a tent, poor man!

I'd be glad to help out financially (a bit) if you manage to take Len over. I'll do my best anyway under my personal circumstances. I can't commit to being the chauffeur because I am a single parent and there will be school and I don't know if I'll still be unemployed or not.

However, anything I can do to help, I will gladly. (search for info, help with the organisation, booking, etc.)

Andy, I guess your Mum would agree to have your little girl for a few days. And I'd like you to be my guide again.

Misako, how about a trip to Normandy in June ??

Last precision: I now live in Le Havre, which is much closer to Caen than Le Mans was.

Nathalie

I'll be leaving my tent at home if Len is coming over.

Yeah, how about it Misako I'm sure Len would love your company.

Filip and Claudine,

2009 ??????

I will be at Carentan from the 1st of June till the 7th.

Don't miss the second Carentan airborne festival all week end and the Brother in arms march on sunday 3rd.

I'd love to go Nathalie, if I werent so skint I seem to be skint all the time, it's all because of the tax in this country, you know

Len will love YOUR company, Nathalie. Please look after that chap if he makes it.

probably yes... 65th Anniversary... I hope.

That's a long way... I shall miss both your lovely company.

Thanks Nathalie, we will miss yours too.
There are some events at this time which make it impossible to make the trip this year.
Not bad events but merely a mixture of things.
We'll meet again later ...

Hi Everyone.

I will be travelling with my Dad as usual on the afternoon ferry from Portsmouth on the 4th.
We are staying at a big campsite in Houlgate (10 minutes drive from Pegasus Bridge). We are leaving at 9am from Ouistreham on the 8th.

I will be driving. Spending most of our time at Pegasus but will be taking in other sites. I would be delighted to help out with transport for anyone who wants it.

We live in South Buckinghamshire so if anyone wants help give me a shout.


HAM AND JAM!

Danny

Oh man, what I wouldn't give to join you guys ! Got room for a Yank ?

Geoff

Always room for one more Geoff. I don't know how to drive to Michigan though!!

Hi Danny, see you there, I hope to take the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg and take in the American sector on the 1st,2nd and 3rd of June, St Mere Eglise, Carentan etc and a few US cemeteries if Andy can't make it over this year, then it's off to Pegasus for the 4th through to the 9th or 10th returning from Ouistreham to Portsmouth. It's at the planning stage nothing definite yet except I will definitely be at Pegasus on the 4th (ish).

Ian

Ian,

Trying to think things over too.
If all goes well, I'll be free at the week-end.
I don't know how to organise things because my life is rather complicated and full of constraints.
I'd like to be around Ste Mère at the week-end though.
Where will you be staying there? Or will you have to travel back and forth from Ranville?

Nathalie

Nathalie,

Not sure yet, I may stay in a hotel in the area around Carentan/St Mere Eglise for two nights then head to Ranville. I might pitch the tent if there are any campsites in the area. Nothing planned as yet. I haven't even planned how to get to Ranville either, I think it's about 100 miles away,probably hike it, bus it or whatever else is available such as a train. Still to research that part.

Ian

Ian,
Just a landing craft and few thousand miles away. You guys will have an unbelievable time.

Geoff

Ian before you bus it down the road to St MereEglise look around Cherbourg , it has some impressive German fortifications along the seafront and indeed inside the town there are many narrow streets with bullet pock holes in them, especially the steelples. Sit a while at the harbour front and have a beer in one of the street cafe, which look like they have not dated at all. Dont forget St Marie Du Mont which is on the way down to Utah beach, you have to pass through it.

Agreed. I used Cherbourg as "base" during my trip in 2004 and had a wonderful time. Very interesting and busy little city. One of my best European memories emanates from a pub there where I shared several drinks with an active Air Force 2 Star. I was also nearly mugged heading back to the hotel one night but that's a different story. Great times...

http://www.ville-cherbourg.fr/uk/

Every year this topic rolls around and I think, "I have got to get there." We have an extra long summer this time--and I am out of school in time. I told myself I would not spend like a crazy person this summer...but just reading this makes me want to start looking at prices...and attaching myself to someone who will be there and be able to be serve as a friendly guide. sigh. ok. maybe my planning period will be spent on expedia

I would like to go this summer but I have to arrange a date with some friens. Will do this in the next couple of weeks. I am almost finished with my school sop I will have some time to arrange a date.

Frank

For anyone interested in picking up a signed copy of What d'ya do in the war Dad? (the story of Wally Parr), his son and the author Barry Parr is doing a book signing at the Pegasus Memorial Museaum near Pegasus Bridge on the morning of the 5th June 2007.


See you there!

Danny

Afternoon All,

I thought I'd just add my credit to this thread as I'm now really looking forward to June!!! The details are on Len's thread but suffice to say that I have now decided to take the plunge and go across to France with Steve and the guest of honour -- Len.

Plus I'm really looking forward to finally putting the ugly mugs , oops errr I mean faces to the names of us that have been posting to one another on here for so long!!!

Regards,

Pat.

You're a bit wrong there... I won't be going to Normandy this year.

I have booked and paid for the flight to Engerland from civilisation (Scotland) as well as train fare to and from Pompey Harbour and Poole. Just need dates and details of who is going and WHERE to book my seat on Ferry for operation overlord 2007. If any Chelsea fans are reading this PM me!!!

IAN

Well I dont know how he would get there from Michigan but I do know how he could get to London from New York Take a look at these directions

Take 60 seconds to do this, I guarantee you will show someone else, it's too funny not to.

1. go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York " in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London " in the second box (the "to" box)
6. scroll down to step #23

That is inspired genius. It will get all of us very fit and improve tourism.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Nice one ma'am

Danny

Merville:
Ceremony 17h30 : 5 June 2007 - Commemorative ceremony and inauguration of historical space and new museography of the battery of Merville by Admiral Brac de la Perrière, President of the Comité du Débarquement, the ambassador of Great Britain (?) and the military attaché of the German embassy
20h30 : 5 June - Large gathering, British army in the salle polyvalente de Merville (limited number of places, to be registered with museum Tele: 02.31.91.47.53)
12h30 6 June - Planting of two oaks in memory of Terence Otway and Sid Capon, and release of 700 carrier pigeons returning to England.

A little memory jog for those who forgot Patellie's site and those who did not know of it:
Details of other ceremonies throughout Normandy
http://www.6juin1944.com/6juin07/index.php

Patrick & Steve,

Are there allready some plans on what you guys are going to do in Normandy. When and on wich places you are going to be with Len.
I would really like to meet you guys there and meet Len.

Hi Steven,

I'm hoping to catch up with Pat & Len over the weekend. Watch this space!

Steve

I may have to have a late change of plan and leave from Poole to Cherbourg rather than Portsmouth to Ouistreham. This presents me with a minor problem. Cherbourg is 80km from Caen and for the life of me I cannot seem to be able to find public transport that goes anywhere near Benouville/Ranville. Worst case scenario is a two day hike in full pack or to get a train to Paris and hope it stops at Caen on the way. The plus side is that I can check out the American sector for a day or two using Cherbourg as a base before heading to Pegasus to meet up with Len, Steve, Pat, Danny et al on or around the 4th June.

Any members clued up on the Busvert routes/trains. I checked the internet but my French is somewhat lacking and it's difficult finding routes and timetables re Cherbourg to Benouville/Ranville/Caen if it exists. A bus going along the A13 would be ideal.

Ian

Ian, you can take the train from Cherbourg to Caen, it takes just over an hour.
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvHom...ageUK&WB=HP

I think you can take the number 20 bus from Caen to Ranville.

Steve

Ian mate, I remember That there is an excellent bus service out of Cherbourg.
It goes to Bayeux , Caen , ouestrham , etc , etc.
Thing is though mate try to use it before the 6th ..... this is the day the French "down everything"
public holiday etc.
Gary.
My investigations led me to find that there is a pass system and that for one purchase you can travel all the top of Normandy , unlimited , for a week. the name of the bus line is "vert"... something.


Frenchie ? Frenchie ? where are you ? (Nathalie)

Thanks guys, I was all over the place trying to plan my travel using the French websites. I may not need it though I have been in touch with Andy and it looks like Portsmouth to Ouistreham after all.

Ian

That'll save you a trek! Are you travelling on the Sunday or stll unsure?

Steve

It's difficult for me to get to the Ferry Port in time on a Sunday as the earliest trains from Poole leaving at 5.00am do not include Sundays. The earliest train on Sundays is 07.30 and that is too late. I may yet wangle something though,such as travelling on the Saturday and getting a B&B. I or Andy will get back to you this Monday when we have decided on it.

For anyone in the Benouville (Pegasus Bridge) area, this is part of the itinery I have been sent for this years events.


ITINERARY ~ June 2007
‘Coup de Main’ Group

Tuesday 5th June

1200 midday Memorial Pegasus ~ for both French & English, a short ceremony on the
old bridge, and a second ceremony by the replica Horsa Glider.

2345 hrs Midnight Ceremony by Major John Howard’s bust on LZ and fireworks

Wednesday 6th June

1030 hrs Ranville Churchyard for wreath laying at Den Brotheridge’s grave

1100 hrs Ranville Cemetery for Airborne Service

1220 hrs Signals Memorial by the new bridge ~ ceremony and wreath laying by
Mayor & council members of Bénouville, veterans of the ‘Coup de Main’,
veterans of 7th Parachute Battalion.

1245 hrs March over Pegasus Bridge led by veterans of D-Day, Mayor of
Bénouville & council members, friends and families
*Let us know if anyone needs transport up to the Mairie

1250 hrs Ceremony at 7th Para. Memorial * M.Lepareau has written on
his Itinerary ~ ‘Religious ceremony at the monument in front of the Mairie
with the veterans & wreath laying. I anticipate that this will be the usual
service held at the 7th Para. Memorial.



Hope to meet all of you out there.

Ian, I see you will be bus-ing it about. If you need a lift anywhere, I will have space in the car. Let me know mate.

Cheers

Danny

Thanks for the itinerary Danny. Andy, Steve, Len, Pat, Steven,Gary and myself will be based in Benouville LePort and Ranville and no doubt refreshing ourselves now and again at the Cafe Gondree or The Three Gliders. Definitely see you there. We plan to go to the ceremony at Den's Grave anyway and maybe the Airborne service prior to moving on with Len to Juno Beach for a service there.

I would have been bussing it about if Andy couldn't make it but he's going now although his car is not 100%, we might need you.

What ferry are you getting, most of us are on the first ferry from Portsmouth on the 4th?

Ian

As far as know there is no bus service between Cherbourg and Caen. The best way to travel between the two towns is the train.
The "Bus Verts" service is just inside the calvados. (an exception for Le Havre)
All the trains between Cherbourg and Paris stop in Caen. In Caen railway station there is also the station of the "Bus Verts" and the line 20 is going to Ranville. Line 20 is the line from Caen to Le Havre.
The time table for the line 20 is here http://www.busverts.fr/_hiver/base_horaire/hiver/L20S2.pdf
Your start point is wrtitten "gare routière s.n.c.f." and your arrival "Ranville Bourg" it takes around 20 minutes. each day (during the week) you have a start at 09:03 - 10:25 - 12:41 - 14:20 - 15:30 - 17:00 - 17:58 - 18:30
I don't know which is your date of arrival at Cherbourg but, if it's during the week you have a train to caen each hour: 05h51 - 06h48 - 07h30 - 08h04 - 09h37 - 11h03 - 12h15 - 14h04 - 16h23 - 16h52 - 17h23 - 18h44 - 19h24 and it take around 01 hour 10 minutes between the two towns.

Tell us when you arrive at Cherbourg by the ferry (date and hour)?

Ian
I saw that you arrive at Ouistreham.. (you wrote your last message same time mine).
Forget my message about train and bus

Thanks for that.

I intend to do the Poole - Cherbourg route later on in the year, and check out the 101st and 82nd DZ's and battles ,including E Coy at Brecourt and Carentan.

My sister lives in Poole and a ferry leaves Poole to Cherbourg daily so it will not be a problem. This year it's about Len and that is why I was seeking help re busses and trains from Cherbourg to Pegasus, I was going to walk it. Andy and Danny to the rescue.

Ian

I am getting the 15:15 ferry from Portsmouth on the 4th.

I presume there is an earlier one that you will be on.

See you at Les 3 Planeurs!!

Danny

Indeed Danny, I think it's the 08:45 sailing. I am leaving Wednesday (tomorrow morning) from Prestwick Airport to Bournemouth and staying in Poole for a bit and then getting the train 05:00 on Monday to meet up with Andy at Portsmouth Ferry Port. I am currently trying to defy the law of physics by putting too much into my rucksack !

Probably chill at Les 3 planeurs with a few beers that evening after the stress of travelling and putting the tents up

See you there.

Ian