After a night on the ferry we arrive early into Le Harve, from here we transferred by coach to Senneville- sur- Fecamp. This tiny village is the final resting place of 6 Commonwealth soldiers – 4 “Known unto God” 2 of them RAF pilots.
The local school children had learnt “God Save the Queen” in English and sang to us before laying flowers on the British graves, Bryn then gave them all a Hero bear as a thank you. We then had a short but moving service inside the church from our Pedalling Padre and a candle was lit that would burn for 7 days.
From here we had a short walk to the local village hall were our bikes were waiting for us (as well as bacon butties and muffins!). And finally we were off; piped out by our Scots Guard and we were on our way. I was close to the back and could see the stream of riders in front, an amazing sight!
Today’s route took us along the French coast to Dieppe. This was to be the most “undulating” day, I actually quite enjoyed the hills, steady switch backs up long hills and fast down hills (although would be faster if I wasn’t glued to my brakes!). Making new friends already we ate up the miles and chatted on the way. Already I had seen members of Team Battle Back and Team Marine who had members with one leg and pedalling a normal bike with a proestic leg and others on hand bikes - this is why we are here.
Arriving in St Valery – en –Caux, down on the coast with beautiful views along the cliffs, I could see people up on a memorial and was told lunch was round the corner – round the corner and up a steep incline but nothing compared to the good old Hampshire Hills I have been contending with in training.
St Valery-en-Caux was to be the first ceremony stop; here the 51st Highland Division memorial sits on the cliffs overlooking the harbour. In May 1940 the 51st Highland Division were cut off from the rest of the BEF and were heading to Le Harve, most never made it home. Over the next few days we would ride along some of the roads they used trying to get to the coast and the safety of England.
This was a taste of what was to come without Bugler from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles playing the “Last Post” as wreaths were laid this was the first of many moving experiences. I hadn’t expected the ceremonies, the ceremonial team or the Battlefield guides - I soon realised this was as much an emotional journey as a physical one.
From here there were more undualtions along the beautiful coast and an arrival in Dieppe for a cermony before finding our hotels (and new room mates). A 3 course meal and an early nights was called for.
I felt good at the end of day one, a little tired - mainly due to lack of sleep on the ferry and confident that the coming days wouold be a breeze......
The local school children had learnt “God Save the Queen” in English and sang to us before laying flowers on the British graves, Bryn then gave them all a Hero bear as a thank you. We then had a short but moving service inside the church from our Pedalling Padre and a candle was lit that would burn for 7 days.
From here we had a short walk to the local village hall were our bikes were waiting for us (as well as bacon butties and muffins!). And finally we were off; piped out by our Scots Guard and we were on our way. I was close to the back and could see the stream of riders in front, an amazing sight!
Today’s route took us along the French coast to Dieppe. This was to be the most “undulating” day, I actually quite enjoyed the hills, steady switch backs up long hills and fast down hills (although would be faster if I wasn’t glued to my brakes!). Making new friends already we ate up the miles and chatted on the way. Already I had seen members of Team Battle Back and Team Marine who had members with one leg and pedalling a normal bike with a proestic leg and others on hand bikes - this is why we are here.
Arriving in St Valery – en –Caux, down on the coast with beautiful views along the cliffs, I could see people up on a memorial and was told lunch was round the corner – round the corner and up a steep incline but nothing compared to the good old Hampshire Hills I have been contending with in training.
St Valery-en-Caux was to be the first ceremony stop; here the 51st Highland Division memorial sits on the cliffs overlooking the harbour. In May 1940 the 51st Highland Division were cut off from the rest of the BEF and were heading to Le Harve, most never made it home. Over the next few days we would ride along some of the roads they used trying to get to the coast and the safety of England.
This was a taste of what was to come without Bugler from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles playing the “Last Post” as wreaths were laid this was the first of many moving experiences. I hadn’t expected the ceremonies, the ceremonial team or the Battlefield guides - I soon realised this was as much an emotional journey as a physical one.
From here there were more undualtions along the beautiful coast and an arrival in Dieppe for a cermony before finding our hotels (and new room mates). A 3 course meal and an early nights was called for.
I felt good at the end of day one, a little tired - mainly due to lack of sleep on the ferry and confident that the coming days wouold be a breeze......
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