France Part 16: Still In Dienville, And Just Writing As I Enjoy It!

Still sitting in the sun in Dienville, here goes with at least the start of my second post, which is down to the heat really. Today has been a day for staying in the shade or going in the water. As I left my armbands at home, so I’ve decided to stay in the shade!

It has been hot, and I did take a dip earlier, but that was enough for me. I’m sure a cold beer would help cool me down, though it’s not 5.00pm yet, but only ten minutes to go!

I have been looking at the photos I have saved in case I needed them for a post, and after having a clear out, I’ve decided to use them in this one so I can get rid of them and start again. So be prepared for absolute rubbish – no comment please!

If you have read any of my previous posts, you will see from France 11 I first mentioned St. Moret cheese, which I am still eating when I can. However, the other day my wife went shopping and she couldn’t get any. I think that was because she was in one of the German stores (in France though.) So, when she went yesterday, there it was, but they only had the small size, so look what she did for me – bless her?

Thanks co-pilot!

Have you ever been to one of the cities whereby people leave a padlock, usually on a bridge? I know Dublin has one bridge with hundreds on it, yet I have seen it in other places, including London. When we went to Colmar and to Little Venice, it was obvious it was something they didn't want to happen!

Not here, thanks!

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When we were driving in Italy, we stopped to have a bite to eat in the motorhome, and I got out to stretch my legs and admire the view, and what a view it was for lunch! But I just couldn’t help notice the strangest thing as I admired the scenery.

Beautiful lunchtime view

Did you notice? That is the strangest place to keep a wheelbarrow!

I still cant help liking some of the pedestrian crossings; they are a bit unique and different and something that just makes you slow down and think for a minute, on a pedestrian crossing, that can’t be a bad thing

Can you see me?

Parking in disabled bays without a blue badge is a contentious issue; let’s be honest, nobody wants to be disabled, and nobody asks to be. But here in France they don’t beat about the bush; this was seen on our travels, and I just had to take a photo. Here they just say things as they are, and being an age thing, I quite agree. We say so many simple things nowadays, and people get so easily offended – I could cry!

You can have my place, but you have to have my disability - love it!

And what about food? I'm not sure about you, but why is it I only eat jam and cheese together when I am on holiday? Saying that, it could change after I get home this time. But here is a plate I had the other day.

Bread with my favourite cheese and jam, half a croissant, and half a chocolate pastry, with the co-pilot having the other halves, and to finish off, I added some coated peanuts. Now is that such a bad thing because combined they were delicious? It’s a bit like ice cream and yoghurt – ever tried it because it’s delicious!

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

But with these alternative stories, before moving on to a little section about choices, I would like to add a part about young men who didn’t really have choices, and we are back to those brave young men who gave their lives so that we could live ours.

My previous posts have covered the Normandy Beaches and the war graves and cemeteries and how emotional it was to see it all. We are heading to Belgium and the Menin Gate, as I wanted to hear their daily Last Post being played; it was always on the agenda. I hadn’t given any other visits much thought until we were driving yesterday and came across Choloy-Menillot War Cemetery by chance after driving past Toul.

We pulled over and visited the graves, and I just can’t believe how perfectly set out the graves are. You could not get the lines any straighter or more precise if you were using laser measuring tools or any other piece of modern technology.

Is it done to represent the forces' personnel on parade? Attention and stand straight and all the other things the drill sergeant or corporal would shout at you (remember, I am ex-forces,) but I think it is a fitting and the most respectful way to lay out these headstones and graves and to honour the fallen.

Again, there are many nationalities and ranks, trades, and regiments, and this cemetery recognises the contribution of the Canadian forces; it's quite ironic that my great-uncle's grave in Boulogne-Sur-Mer shows he was in the Canadian Infantry.

These poor men, as I said, most didn’t have a choice; they had to go to war. Imagine telling that to our 19 & 20-year-olds today! But it is also sad to see what looks like aircraft crews from the same flight buried side by side. Previously we had seen one stone, or a double stone for a crew, but these were individual stones showing gunners. engineers, pilots, wireless operators, etc. were all killed on the same day, and again, varying nationalities showing that the Commonwealth fought together!

I am in total awe of these young men who went to war for us; they had no idea what they were doing, and many would know they were unlikely to come home, as many didn't, and according to research from the two world wars, over 1,250,000 didn’t come back. That to me is immense, and it doesn’t include any other conflict! My admiration for them is immense, and we should never forget, and we must make sure the future generations never forget either!

But from the poignant to the real and those few silly stories and points from our travels. But for those of you unfamiliar with travelling life, if you did decide to have a go, your options are massive, and here are a few of those options for you. I have mentioned doing your research and hiring (to try) whatever method you fancy. You can even get a box to put on top of your car that turns into a tent; it was funny when we saw quite a big guy with a box on top of a mini, but that just goes to show it works!

I can’t recommend it highly enough; it is such a freesreading,tyle holiday or adventure, as my wife calls this trip, and she is right! It’s not something we can do every year, unfortunately, or the house would be on the market – hang on there’s an idea! We have discussed maybe a long-term years rental and going away, but then time will tell, but that’s how good it is, even to think about doing that!

Some choices for you, and trust me, there are many more!

We have just been into town, and there wasn’t too much going on; the bar that showed the football and put on the barbie and extra tables last night was closed; maybe it was such a big night last night they didn’t need to open. or were still hung over. Pity, really, but there’s always somewhere else to go, and we had a couple of quiet drinks and came home to a lovely chicken salad, prepared wonderfully as always by the co-pilot.

So there we go, two posts in a day, and I think that’s a first. I appreciate my writing will not appeal to many, or should I say ‘any,’ but I enjoy writing more than reading and it’s a way to chill out and keep the mind occupied at the same time.

Here’s to many more posts

Thanks for reading

DJ