Northumberland to Normandy to Saint-Nazaire via Hartlepool .... during October 2021

[B4Apéro]

Northumberland to Normandy to Saint-Nazaire via Hartlepool .... during October 2021

Last month our California took us from home in France to Berwick upon Tweed.
Throughout our month away only once did we pay a camp site fee (one night at the Marina, Huddlesford).

Usually, to return home, we'd take the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, then onward via Rouen, Chartres, Orléans, Toulouse. But last month it was different. For a long time we have wanted to visit Normandy, the D-Day Beaches. So, instead of turning for Rouen we peeled off for Honfleur.

The theme respectfully acknowledges the huge personal sacrifices made along the Normandy coastline.
At Saint-Nazaire on the West Coast of France, giving our time to visit the site of Operation Chariot is the least we could do.
But first a plaque found on the Coast at Hartlepool, supper on Bamburgh Coast, followed by a rainy overnight stop before we visited the National Memorial Arboretum.

 

[B4Apéro]

Commonwealth War Graves at Ranville.
The Cemetery is near the Pegasus Bridge, Museum and Memorial.

 

[B4Apéro]

Parking overnight at Ver-Sur-Mer with its Memorial.

 

[B4Apéro]

The Canadian War Graves at Reviers.

 

[B4Apéro]

The British Normandy Memorial.

 

[B4Apéro]

Omaha Beach.

 

[B4Apéro]

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.

 

[B4Apéro]

La Cambe German War Graves where a wreath of poppies had been laid by the Air Attaché, British Embassy Paris

 

[B4Apéro]

Utah Coast.
At Sainte-Mère-Église, to its church where a window depicts that American Parachutist who dangled from the church tower.

On the West Coast of France.
Operation Chariot - a near impossible objective - at Saint-Nazaire.
Many many names engraved on the British memorial.
The citation reads (in both English and France) :
"IN PROUD MEMORY OF THOSE WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE ATTACK ON
SAINT NAZAIRE ON 28 MARCH 1942."
"They achieved much having dared all"

 

[BigJohn]

Looks like a great trip, thanks for sharing. Impressive to have only used one campsite the whole time, how do you find your overnight stops?

John

 

[B4Apéro]

Hello John
Our principal reference aids for overnight stops are.... Search for Sites and Park4Night. We make a final decision on a place when we turn up (giving ourselves time to scout elsewhere if all is not ideal).
In Normandy we were stumped for an overnight stop the night before we visited the German War Graves site. With no decent pointers from our two Apps, we decided to park in a corner of a car park opposite the Mairie at La Cambe - it was free, it worked for us (see two photos). We got in under the barrier - although we discovered the next morning there was a barrier-free in/out point between the trees! The bakery was a short walk away.



When back in the UK we are lucky, our nearest and dearest, ex-military chums and pals with motorhomes, even the odd fully booked campsite, they all have offered suggestions on where to park overnight.

Also friends are a great help by allowing us to park on their driveways. Naturally we are delighted to see them for a stopover with us in France.... when they are en route to Spain/Portugal or touring France.