Travelog for: Elephonse

Today Helly & Steve took me to another great viewing point. It's at the top of a place called La Pernelle, which is near St Vaast la Hougue.

The view was wonderful, looking out over the sea.

(I did look for more blue elephants, but don't tell Helly as she told me yesterday that I was unique and not to worry myself by looking).

On the way back we stopped at Crossville Chateau. I didn't go inside but Steve told me it was lovely. However, i had a good look at the outside.

We drove quite a distance today to visit Les Roches De Ham, which Helly had read about in a guide book.

You can see from the photos that the countryside around was truely gorgeous. The place we visited was just south of a town called St Lo.

On the way there we drove through a little village which is twinned with the Lydiards in Wiltshire, near to where I came from. We took a photo of the sign to show Helen's boss, Evelyn.

Today was a really moving day for Steve. He and Helly found the stretch of beach where Steve's grandfather came ashore in France just after D-Day. It's at a place called Le Hamel, which is just east of Arromanches. You can still see the mulberry harbours there - temporary harbours which were brought in to create landing places.

We didn't get out of the car for long as the weather was REALLY windy and chilly.

However, we drove back down into Arromanches and Helly took a photo of Steve, holding onto his hat so it didn't blow away. The photo shows one of the remaining mulberry harbours with the sea breaking over it.

Well, what can I say! Helly & Steve had a VERY lazy morning. Apparently the hospitality of Chris and Steve who own Hope Cottage, and of Rudolf who owns the local 'pub', was a little too good last night!

I'm not too sure what that means but as they were both very quiet and feeling a bit 'yuk' this morning I think it had something to do with beer!

Anyway, once they'd both surfaced we went to Cherbourg to sit and watch the activities on the beach. There were lots of school children picking up rubbish - I thought I might introduce myself but I was too shy.

I was also excited by some people in land yachts. That looked ever so exciting.

Tomorrow we start the journey back across France towards the ferry.

I remembered that I hadn't shown you any pictures of Hope Cottage, so here it is.

It's gorgeous.

Helly and Steve stayed in the one bedroom gite at this end.

After saying goodbye to Chris & Steve and Hope Cottage we set off on our way to Honfleur, where we were going to stay the night.

On the way I asked to stop at Pegasus Bridge, which was the first spot in France to be liberated in the second world war. Steve & Helly had a cup of coffee at the Cafe Goddree. What a shame Tiger Tom wasn't there, he could have had a glass of wine (probably two if I know him!) and fulfilled one of his missions.

The bridge in the photo is a replica of the actual bridge, which now sits just down the road in a museum.

After stopping the night in Honfleur I got very excited crossing over the Pont de Normandie.

The bridge is ever so high.

I couldn't see it properly as it was ever so misty this morning.

Despite the fog we got to Boulogne in plenty of time.

I was able to watch as we drove on the ferry. I looked out for the 'fight the pirates' sign, although I wasn't nervous this time.

After another quick crossing we arrived in England.

On the way out of Dover we drove up to a war memorial that Steve wanted to show Helly. Then we set off back to Calne.

I did have a wonderful time! I can't wait to go back. I wonder if Steve & Helly will let me go with them at Christmas?

AND, I never did see another blue elephant!

Back in England and back in Monsieur Alfonse. I went for a short drive today because I'd been missing him SO much.

I was SO EXCITED! Today I went on a 'Convoi Exceptional' with lots of 2CVs, to the Cardiff Bay Barrage.

First we met up with Dave & Ellie in their yellow and black Charleston. We met at Leigh Delemere services on the M4.

Then we met Gary in his Dyane. Gary was VERY naughty and waited on the hard shoulder near Bath for us to pass him. He's lucky the police didn't come and take him away as that's not allowed!

I also crossed the 'new' Severn Bridge, near Bristol. It's a very long bridge and looks just as impressive as the bridges I crossed in France.

It was much more expensive to cross than the French ones though!!

How Much? !


Steve told me Helly got on her 'high horse' and said she'd go the long way round to Wales next time. I'm not sure what that means as I didn't see any horses, but I think she was cross at the price!

All those 2CVs, I was SO EXCITED!!

There were 14 of us. We met up at the services just outside Cardiff, and now I can say I've been to Wales. Hurrah!

Once we were all there and had greeted old friends - and young ones too - we set off. We each had a map of the route we were going to take.

Ooops! The person leading took us the wrong way, so we did the 'obligatory 2CV 'u' turn!'

After a short drive we parked by the Cardiff Bay Barrage.  We had a guided tour of the barrage and then caught a 'dotto' train into Cardiff Bay itself.

The guide told us the Barrage is one of Europe's most advanced engineering projects, consisting of locks, sluice gates and a fish pass. I wanted to have a look at the fish pass which consists of a series of 'steps' which the salmon leap up each year in order to swim up the rivers to spawn. I think Isambard would have been very impressed as he likes engineering.

I didn't have my photo taken on the barrage itself as it was chilly and I stayed wrapped up in the warmth of the ruck sack. I did peep over the edge though.

The Dotto Train took us into the bay itself. We got off at Ronald Dahl Plass. This is the site of the old dock, which has now been turned into a vast open space where markets are held.

Next to this I had my photo taken by a huge red building, the old shipping offices.

Wales Millenium Centre is made of natural materials. The slate which lines the front is all from Wales and has been arranged to replicate the strata of sea cliffs. It's very beautiful and the photo doesn't do it justice.

Finally I travelled on the Dotto Train back to the car park. The train stopped half way back to pick up some more visitors. Totally by chance, one of the visitors was another 2CV friend, John and his wife, who were visiting Cardiff for the day.
What a coincidence!

Back in the carpark. Monsieur Alfonse had part of the lettering of the name of the convoy across his front window, so I just had to have my photos taken!

I left Monsieur Alfonse behind for the weekend and travelled to Cornwall in Helga the Honda, Helly's two seater car. (Also named after an 'Allo Allo' character)

I stayed in a log cabin for two nights. I'd never been in a log cabin before, it was lovely. The cabin was situated in some woods so I kept an eye out, in case I could see any elephants.