I know I was going to do it daily, but I have been really busy, and finally got back to it.
Day 1, August 9
After leaving Rock Springs on a wild and exciting plane ride, we arrived in Denver. Leaving Denver, We narrowly escaped the impeding thunderstorms beginning to bear down on the city. After sitting on the plane for almost 9 hours we landed on a rainy dismal day at London Heathrow at just about noon. After all the customs and passport checks, we finally got on our way again. Travelling by Tube (Subway) for a while to find our hotel. As the ride progressed, considerably more and more people got on the train, and they seemed to fill every place they could. Getting off with our luggage was quite the challenge. Finally Holborn station, we get off the train and must fight through what seemed like millions of people to get up the 3 escalators to the top, where we found more sensible transportation to our destination. A cab….
Finally after getting to the hotel and lightening our load considerably, we decided to go out on foot. Leaving the hotel we walked what seemed like miles through the area of London where we were at finally we found Oxford Street, A main thoroughfare and what looks to be quite the walking mall to boot. The whole afternoon was intermittent rain, but not the rain that stings you when blown at 100MPH like I am used to back home. We finally worked our way back to the hotel where we retired for the night.
Day 2, August 10
We arose quite early this morning. 5:30 local time that is. We had to go catch the Eurostar leaving London St. Pancras Station headed for Paris via the Channel Tunnel. After a very nice ride we arrived in the bustling Paris Gare De Nord Station. We knew we had to hurry to St. Lazaire Station if we wanted to catch the next train to Caen, so we headed for the street to find a Taxi. My grandmother asked a man for an ATM to get some Euros for a cab ride there. This man Happened to be a Taxi Driver (Or so he said) After finishing at the ATM this woman pulls up in a very ordinary car and moves to the passenger seat, This man Who had cut off another man trying this same racket, told us he would take us to the station, so why the hell not…. After a wild, wild, ride through the streets of Paris, He finally gets us there….. 50 EUROS! We got in to get on the Noon Train with only a couple minutes to spare, that only cost 45 Euros. So we headed by high speed rail again for Caen. That afternoon, after checking in to the hotel, we decided to go and take in the first part of our Normandy arrangements. That was the Caen Memorial Museum. It was very well done, and they take you through history starting just after the end of WWI It covered all the Global Politics and treaties, as well as the breakdown between the European countries and the eventual start of WWII, It covered the war in great detail, as well as even into the cold war, ending the exhibit with 2 pieces of the Berlin Wall. We took a walk through their gardens that are dedicated to each country that took part in the liberation of France from the Germans, United States, Great Brittan, and Canada. The British garden has plaques showing each division that took part; The Canadian garden has a small reflecting pool with a black, fine grained, rock that has a French term on it with no English translation. It also has the same stone at the bottom of an outdoor stairwell with the words “La liberation vient par la mer” or “Liberation comes from the Sea” Finally entering the American Garden, we came upon a large pool, and it had a waterfall off of it into a pond below. The path wound around the pool and down to pond level and behind the waterfall, where. Inset among the rock face were plaques from each state commerating soldiers from each state. When we entered the museum, I noticed a very destroyed Jeep Cherokee Police vehicle. I soon discovered that during our visit, they had an exhibit on loan from the New York State Museum, an Exhibit on the September 11th attacks. As I walked through the displays, I was brought back to reliving that day, and just how horrible it was. Although some people thing that the images of that day are too graphic for TV, I believe that they should be shown every day, to remind us that although we are the most powerful country on the planet (even the French admitted that oddly enough) We can still be hit, not stopped, not brought down, but just hit, and then…. The ball is in our court……
Day 3, August 11
We arose again about 6:30. Had a good breakfast at the hotel’s dining room, and then set off to the Memorial Museum again. But today is different; we are met by Sylvan and 3 other men, 2 from New York, and the other from Pennsylvania. They had traveled here for the same reason. Sylvan was our tour guide for the morning. We departed the museum in a van, and headed for the coast. The first stop being just to the west of a small town called Arromanches. Perched above a cliff, to the east of us was Gold Beach, one of the British landing spots. This is where the temporary harbor dubbed “
ort Churchill” was built using huge concrete blocks, engineered to float with air chambers inside, but sinkable with the pull of a plug. The outer breakwater wall is for the most part, still there. We then passed through the town of Arromanches to a gun battery two thirds of the way between Gold and Omaha Beaches. All 3 Bunkers(or as they are technically called Casemates) still have their guns in them, in fairly good condition except for the dents and dings, from the American and British shells as well as some shrapnel holes in the armoring. Then we continued to the Cimetrie’ American’ or American Cemetery. This piece of ground is true American Soil. It was given to the US by France in 1947 and although is staffed by the French, it is governed totally by the United States Government. This is the Cemetery that the opening and closing scenes of “Saving Private Ryan” was shot at. According to our tour guide, there are just over 9900 American Soldiers buried on the hallowed land on top of the bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. He also showed us a special grave site. It was Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Son to President Teddy and Eleanor Roosevelt. Buried next to his brother who died in 1918 in WWII, (buried at that location at his parent’s wishes.) Quentin Roosevelt’s stone is normal, White rock engraved with his Name, Rank, Division and company, as well as the Date of death, His Brothers is White rock, with the standard carving, but his carving as been inset with gold coloring, and down the front of the cross is says Medal of Honor. He died on July 12, 1944, because he refused to leave his men and was killed even though he did not have to go to the combat zone. As we stood there listening to Sylvan explain how the stones are randomly placed, not alphabetically, we heard this odd roar and looked toward the ocean. Then we saw the French F-16 fighter that was flying by us at slow speed and low altitude. Sylvan then went on to explain that as the cemetery is a very good landmark, they often use it as such in training flights. After some time at the Cemetery, we proceeded to Vierville. A small town directly on the shore at Omaha beach at the famed Dog Green Sector (the sector in which Saving Private Ryan was set in at the start of the movie). New construction was not allowed along the landing beaches after the war, but the owners of the existing homes and businesses however had the right to rebuild, and the Germans were given 4 years to clear the rubble so rebuilding could begin. Here, we got to walk on the beach a bit. Today, except for the 2 bunkers still in place at the bottom of the bluff, Omaha beach could look like any other beach in Europe. People out sunning themselves, Children playing in the water, Horse rides down the beach, if you had no clue what happened there, you would have never known it had happened if you were there. We then loaded up once more and trekked on to Point du Hac. At the top of the cliffs were 3 Gun Emplacements, 3 open, and 3 housed in Casemates, This is the emplacement that the Army Rangers assaulted by climbing the cliffs and taking the position. However, when they arrived, they were able to repel the garrisoned Germans, but discovered that the guns had been removed and replaced by fakes, and the real ones moved farther inland. They did destroy the ammo dump there, which was housed in a concrete bunker. They used Bangalores through the vent windows, and the explosion was so great, that it sent 70 ton pieces of concrete flying up to 50 feet away. Their next objective was to take the road down to Veriville, to hook up with another group of Rangers, However, they ran into the new position of the guns and took them out. By this time, they hadn’t seen the other Rangers and had assumed that the landings were a failure, and returned to the emplacements at the top of the cliff to wait for help or death. In their 48 hours occupying the position, they managed to repel a large German counterattack on Omaha Beach. A counterattack in which the Germans would surely have been able to win and reclaim. The beach head. All around the top of Point Du Hac, were craters some up to 30 feet around, and 10 feet deep. These are told to be shell impacts from the USS Texas, who was shelling the area awfully hard before the Rangers attempted their Fateful mission up the cliff. After this we returned to Caen, where we ate lunch, and bid farewell to our new friends who had just spent 5 hours with us discovering the great feat the Allied forces managed to pull off at this quiet part of coastal countryside. We returned to the hotel, gathered our things, and went to the Train Station or Gare de Caen and boarded the Train headed back to Paris. About half way there, just past a town called Evreux, the train comes to a halt. After a series of announcements, all in French, this older gentleman, who had an eye that was turned in so far you couldn’t see anything but white, asked, “Do you understand French?” and quickly started translating for us, explaining that the locomotive had broken down. After some time we get news that they are sending another one from Evreux to pull us back to the station where the next regularly scheduled train would be waiting for us. After sitting on the line for over 2 hours we were finally back on our way again. We arrived in Paris, and caught a cab outside St. Lazare Station, and headed to our hotel. Along the way, the cabbie took us by many famous places. Paris was AMAZING by night, the Arc de Triumph lit up in orange, and the Eiffel Tower lit up in blue, absolutely amazing. Upon arrival at the hotel we find a family from England having trouble with the man behind the counter. According to his ever changing story they had a leaking pipe, and his colleague had left him with many problems. To make the story short, he booked us a room at another hotel. We headed for the other hotel, which was just up the street. We arrived and they were closed, but were let in and given a room. It looked like it was more of an apartment than anything, entering it from an outside court in back; there were 2 other rooms just like ours. The door was full glass, with no shade, and the place was pretty insecure, so we went to bed right away.
Day 4, August 12
We arose from dreamy sleep to the nightmare which was our hotel room. Got ready, Ate Breakfast, and left as soon as possible, having the lady at the desk call us a cab. She came back and in her best French-English, she told us that she called and asked for a Mercedes Cab, as If we should be impressed. We immediately headed for the Eiffel Tower. He took us there and off we set, at 9 in the morning, the line was already doubled back twice across the width of the tower, and knew automatically that we would not have time to go up. So we walked underneath it, and headed down the park. By then it was time for another cab. This time to Paris Gare du Nord. This is where we would catch the Eurostar and ride it under the Chunnel again. We arrived in London, and headed to lighten our load at the hotel. And set out to find a bus tour. We found one that took us all around the city, and spent most of the afternoon on it. We stopped at Leicester Square for dinner, and set back to our hotel on foot, it was a really nice walk, running into people, both figuratively and literally, along the street. One girl at the Corner of Southampton Row and High Holborn streets was particularly nice, and we chatted for a minute before heading on our way. We returned to our hotel just minutes before a torrential downpour came out of the sky. We were in need of some rest after our night in Paris….. I will never return to Paris. Ever.
Day 5 August 13
Today we set out about 8 after a nice breakfast. Caught a cab to the HMS Belfast to start our day. We arrived and found that it does not open until 10. So we walked the Thames River Waterfront a while. Got some great shots of the River, Tower Bridge, and the Rest of the City. Ten o’clock came around and we finally boarded the moored WWII Era cruiser and spent most of the morning exploring it. Everywhere from the Boiler and engine rooms, to the Gun Turrets, to the Crew Quarters. We learned about it’s infamous battle with the German Battle Cruiser “Scharnhorst” Which was sunk in the Battle of North Cape after she tried to attack a British Supply ship convoy headed for Russia in the Arctic Ocean. She was attacked by the Belfast, HMS Duke of York, HMS Sheffield, HMS Jamaica, and the HMS Norfolk. With the Duke of York being a Battleship, and the rest being Light Battle Cruisers. The Belfast last fired her guns in Anger during the Korean War. Her WWII service time was marked by some notable operations such as, supporting the Allied Troops as they landed on French Beaches on Jus4 6, 1944, The Battle of North Cape, Humanitarian efforts after the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and being hit by a German Magnetic Mine. Seeing this preserved War relic helps the understanding of what kind of people it takes to live on a ship. We then continued on a River Cruise down the River Thames to Westminster Pier, Big Ben, and the London eye where our cruise ended. We proceeded to the depth underneath Her Majesty’s Treasury. A large building with very tight security and literally no people walking in the small streets near it. Below, in its basement used to be store rooms, but was converted from 1928 to 1940 into a bunker, Capped with a 6 foot thick slab of concrete, and inch thick steel armor plating. This was where Sir Winston Churchill has his War Cabinet Rooms, the location he commanded the war from when the Germans were bombing London. He never slept the night in the room made for him, although he did take his afternoon nap there a few times. This place also had an old broom closet, disguised as a bathroom, which had a secure, scrambled transatlantic telephone in it. This allowed him to talk to people like Roosevelt, Truman and General Eisenhower. This place also had a whole museum outlining Churchill’s life from birth to death. From there we headed back to the hotel for a short rest and dinner. Then we headed to the Noel Coward Theatre to see Avenue Q. The Show was absolutely hilarious. It is a must see if you ever have the chance. Be warned though, it is nothing short of terribly dirty puppet porn. This musical is the origination of the song “The Internet is for Porn”, and has other numbers entitled “It Sucks to Be Me”, ”I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today”, And “You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want When You’re Making Love”. See it… Now….
Day 6, August 14
Today we set out for the British Museum. It was a beautiful place with a few pretty interesting exhibits, but it was for the most part a huge collection from ancient civilizations around the world, from the Egyptians to the Greeks to even the North American Indians. Even though it was a respectable collection, it wasn’t that interesting. So after a whirlwind trip through the place, we emerged to a rainy afternoon, so we headed to Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum. After seeing the different modes of transportation used in London throughout time. We headed back to the hotel after watching some street performers and rested before nightfall came. After dark, I headed out and set to take photos of London’s greatest landmarks. Tower Bridge and London Bridge first, then on to Big Ben and the London Eye. Oddly enough, Big Ben and the London Eye were not lit up at all so this was not suitable, so without getting out of the cab, I asked the driver to make way for Trafalgar Square. It was a quiet night and sadly were not showing any of the Olympics on the huge screen they have set up. There, my batteries died, so I was forced to call it a night there.
Day 7, August 15
This morning we had to check out of the hotel, so we packed up and after a good breakfast we left are bags with the porters and caught a cab to the Natural History Museum. This Museum is amazing. They have some great rock and fossil specimens from all around the world, including some from Southwest Wyoming. It thoroughly goes through the building of the earth, and the amazing things that are on the face of the planet. Erosion, mountain building, oceans, rivers, and everything that shapes and forms our world, which also happens to be everything I love to learn about. Then, we made our way into the environment and ecology sections, while not up my alley, was very interesting and well done. They also had a display with all sorts of gems and other precious stones and metals and at the end of this hall of gems, was a vault with numerous VERY valuable things including a whole collection of Diamond that turns colors in the proper light, an Emerald that is high quality and perfectly colored, and a Snuff Box that has so many jewels on it that you can hardly seen any of the base silver on which they were set upon. If you are ever in London, and enjoy museums as I do, I must say that this should be a must see for you. We noticed the time, and hurried back to our hotel to pick up our bags, and then caught another cab what whisked us away to the Liverpool Street Train station. We caught a train to a town called Norwich where my Great Uncle picked us up. We headed to their small coastal town called Cromer, picked up some incredibly fresh Fish and Chips, and arrived at the house.
Day 8, August 16
We arose late, and had a great breakfast, then set out walking along the cliffs above the sea. The trail took us down into town and we ate lunch at a small café on the shore and then walked out onto the pier and into the Lifeboat house. Cromer has the Newest and biggest Lifeboat in the whole country, which is used quite often as they are along the North Sea and have nothing in the way of land between them and the Arctic Circle. We continued down the beach and climbed the stairs to the Cromer Carnival grounds. The Carnival really gets into high gear in the coming week with an American Classic Car show, an aerial display by the RAF Red Arrows (Similar to the Thunderbirds or Blue Angles) and a large fireworks display from the pier.
Day 9, August 17
We arose late again, now joined by my Great Aunt who arrived home late the evening prior, and saw that it was quite rainy to start off the day. After a great breakfast, we set out in the car to a small village called Thursford. Here, there is some converted farm buildings and an old hangar. Inside are 19th century carnival rides that have been switched from steam to electrical power, but they still work, even the organ system that uses folded continuous sheets of “music” that instead of notes, has holes punched in it. They also have a large collection of working fair organs that have also been converted to electric power instead of steam. The main reason for our visit was to see the numerous steam powered tractors and things that had been restored and on display. However, the main show they had was a man who played this late 1800s Wurlitzer 3 keyboard organ. The organists name was Robert Wolfe, and he was absolutely amazing at playing this organ. We left and turned back for Cromer by way of a small town just on the other side of Sherringham Called High Kelling.
Day 10, August 18
We set out under light showers, and headed Alysham. This is the main terminus if the narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway. Travelling for about 45 minutes, later arriving in a town called Wroxham. Here, he boarded a boat and took a cruise on the Norfolk Broads, A system of lakes connected by the Bure River. These lakes are lined with huge homes and summer homes for the rich and important. This is also a place for people to spend vacations and recreate in their spare time. A very enterprising man has even converted a boat into a floating ice cream truck and travels the broads selling various cold treats to the people spending their day on the water. We headed back by way of Great Walsham and made a stop at the Wroxham Barns, a converted farm with stores craft shops and some entertainment for kids. I purchased some home and handmade fudge. It is absolutely delicious, I only wish we could get this kind back home.
Day 11, August 19
Morning produced yet again a dreary cloudy day. We walked the mile cliff top path to the neighboring town of Overstrand. After a coffee, we headed out to the town of Sherringham. After walking along the beach front, and in through town, we boarded the standard gauge, steam powered, Norfolk Northern Railway. After about 10 minutes we arrived at Weybourne Station, meeting the train headed in the opposite direction. After about another 10 minutes, we arrived in Holt. The end of the line, they had a small museum, a Carousel for the kids, a gift shop, and a small but very well done HO scale model railroad. 25 minutes later, we were leaving Holt back for Sherringham. We headed back to Cromer for dinner and a nice evening relaxing at home.
Day 12, August 20
After breakfast we had to make lunch and leave fairly early as we were meeting some family at a place called Sandringham. Sandringham is the country home of the Queen. While Buckingham Palace is owned by the state, Sandringham is owned by the Queen. After a quick coffee break as the rest of the bunch likes to often take, the rest of our family arrived, my cousin Rob, wife Sally, and daughters Holly and Lucy, as well as Sally’s mom, Joan. We had a great time sitting around the large picnic table outside the gift shop and catching up. Then after a picnic lunch, we entered the grounds and roamed a while. Late in the afternoon it was time to part ways, we made the trip back to Cromer, but noticed that we would be late back and would miss the performance by the Red Arrows. The realized this when we saw them flying in formation over the sea about 10 miles away, leaving their trails of red, white, and blue smoke in their trail. That evening we headed down and watched the Cromer Carnival Parade, It was fun, and quite interesting to see the influence of American Pop Culture in this country. I say this because they had a Float and surrounding cars all in the Dukes of Hazzard theme. They had 3 cars, all SUVs, painted in the General Lee, Roscoe P. Coltrane’s police car, and Boss Hogg. And the Float was done up like the Boars Nest.
Day 13, August 21
Today was decided that we would just mooch around town today. After a mid morning coffee break at the Rocket City Café Above the Henry Blogg Lifeboat Museum, it began to rain, so being able to be on my own today, I stepped in the museum and had a look around. After the rain I walked out along the beachfront and out on the pier, taking plenty of photos along the way. I met up with everyone and we headed over to Kelling for lunch at a Tea House and Bookstore, and then headed back again. We arrived back in Cromer to another rain storm, so I donned my raincoat and headed out on my own again. After wandering around town for a while, I arrived at the church. I stepped in, stuck my pin in the visitor’s map and looked around a bit. Then I noticed that they allowed people to the top of the tower, so I said, “Hey why not.” I paid my £1.50 or $3.00 and headed for the door. I began up the spiral staircase, completely ignoring the signs at the bottom. The tower is 50 Meters high, and 178 steps tall. The stairs kept narrowing as I ascended the tower, with a few small places where a door takes off to enter a room to ring the bells or to tend to the workings of the bells. At the top, the circular stairs stop, and some straight ones take off to the left, this space is about 2 and a half feet wide and 5 feet tall, leading to a door. Finally, open spaces and fresh air. This is probably the best view in the whole town, the only obstructions are the 4 spires on the corners of the tower. Ascending was hard, descending was even harder. The stairs being very steep with only about 6 feet of vertical space meant that I was just a touch too tall to walk in there so I had to bend down a bit to keep from hitting my head on the roof. I think that is something I probably won’t do ever again….
Day 14, August 22
Today, we took our time getting ready, but then packed up and set out for a small village near Cambridge. Making our way through the English countryside, We passed small towns, farms, and 2 very large RAF/USAF Air Bases. We stopped in Cambourne for lunch, and continued on to Thurston where my Aunt wanted to visit a stained glass shop, as both her and my Grandma are into the hobby. We finally arrived at My cousin Debbie’s house, where she lives with her husband Wayne, and Daughters Becky and Phoebe. We had a walk around the village, and then had dinner while watching the England and South Africa Cricket match. England Won.
Day 15, August 23
We headed for a place Call Woburn Abbey. It is a stately home, but also on the grounds they have a Drive through safari park with Rhinos, Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Black Bears, and Grey Wolves. They also have a walking park with Wallabies, Ostriches, Lemurs, Penguins, and Monkeys as well as a Sea Lion tank. We arrived and met with Rob, Deb and their families, as well as my other cousin Steve, his wife Emily, and sons Charlie and Ollie. We had a nice picnic near the fun fair so the younger kids can ride the rides within view. Then we started to explore the park. After we had seen everything, we decided it was time to head home, or at least our final destination. Tonight that would be the Sandlewood B&B in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. That is the small town where Steve lives with his family. Steve invited me to go have a couple pints at the local pub so we went and had a great time. I also discovered Cider Beer. It is really delicious and definitely worth trying once.
Day 16. August 24
We set out to a couple small towns, one called Chalfont St Giles, where at the church there some of our relatives are buried. But in the church, there are original paintings on the wall dating back to the 12th century. We then proceeded on to Seer Green, met grandma’s cousin Bob at the local pub for lunch, and then went over to visit her Aunt Molly and Uncle Jim. Jim served in the 51st Highland Division and landed on Sword Beach on June 7, 1944. He and Molly were married not long before D-Day. After our nice long visit, we headed back to Chippy (as the locals call Chipping Norton)
Day 17, August 25
We set out after breakfast will everything we had in the car and Headed for London. Not to visit anything in particular, but our destination was Heathrow International Airport Terminal 4. We were heading home. After waiting what seemed like all day, we finally boarded the plane. But as this was a daytime trip, I decided I wanted a window seat, even with a little less room, I was glad to have it. I saw most of England and some of Scotland as we flew over, and then turned left and passed just 100 miles south of Iceland. As we approached Greenland I began seeing Icebergs in the ocean, some were the purest blue I have ever seen. Finally the source came into view. An enormous glacier that must have been 15 miles long, slowly flowing and breaking off into the ocean. Then the jagged and tormented ice gave way inland to smooth, placid looking snow. Over northern Canada we crossed the Hudson Bay and the sea level swamplands around it, crossing into the USA over eastern North Dakota. Crossing Nebraska we were in the home stretch. Turning west to land in Denver turned us in the path of a looming thunderstorm. I was informed later that once it got in the plains to the east produced a couple of tornados. After Passport Control, Customs and Baggage claim, we headed out and caught the hotel shuttle to the Microtel. I phoned a friend and he came and picked me up and we headed down to Union Station. All the railroads in town wanted some PR during the Democratic National Convention. Union Pacific had the 844, 1989 Rio Grande Heritage unit, a Genset switcher and two business trains. BNSF had one of their new SD70Ace Locomotives, and I am not sure who owns it but there is also an ex GMO car that has been turned into the Patron Tequila Express. We finally made it back to my hotel about midnight, and after being up for 24 hours, I went to sleep.
Day 18, August 26
After sleeping in and a nice breakfast at the hotel, I decided that it was time for a little relaxation, so I spent the morning watching some TV and playing a game on the computer. Noon rolled around and we headed back to the airport, checked in and had lunch went through security and roamed the terminal. Finally it was time to board our last flight home. In less than an hour after takeoff we would be back, and ready for anything that was remotely normal to us. The approach took us in just south of Baggs and into the airport. Although this was probably the roughest flight I have ever been on, but I enjoy that sort of thing. We landed to a warm, breezy day collected our bags and headed to town, ending our adventure that had taken us through 3 countries, XXXXX miles, and 18 days. But we were home now and the real world caught up really fast. After that adventure ended another was soon to begin….. College… Again.
And it's up!
Content
Neutral
Cheerful
Irritated
