Ouistraham Bunker

Just off the seafront of Sword Beach lies this bunker; most bunkers are built quite squat to the ground (for obvioius reasons), whereas this one is a reinforced concrete tower used primarily as a lookout.

It not only has a few vehicles and weapons outside on display but a good number of highly informative dioramas in the various rooms to give a very impression of life and work inside the bunker...

On D Day, the defending occupiers of the bunker held out for about 3 days with constant machine gun fire and stick grenades until Bob Orrell and 3 of his men eventually blasted the heavily armoured outside door off its hinges. They even found a box of explosives just inside the door left by the retreating occupiers! Anyway, when challenged, the two German Commanding Officers and their 50 men, 'invited' the British to go into the Bunker to get them out. Thinking quickly on his feet, Bob shouted up the stairs, 'Not bl**dy likely mate, you come down here.' The 4 British Tommies took the 52 German defenders as POWs.  If you had read this in a Boy's Own comic, you would find it hard to believe but it was true - not a bad days work! .

Merville Battery

Later, during the early hours of D Day, the 9th Parachute Battalion were tasked with taking the Merville Battery which contained 4 huge cannons aimed at the bay off the Normandy Beaches.

600 men parachuted in but, due to poor weather, many were dropped way off target; some landing in the sea, others in flooded fields, others shot in the air as the fell to ground. Only 150 found their rendezvous point. Their Commanding Officer, Lt-Col T Otway decided the attack could not wait as the landing depended on the guns being silenced. He urged his men on. Despite heavy casualties, they took the guns. 100 Germans were killed and 26 were taken prisoner.

At the entrance to the battery is a refurbished Dakota; one of only a few left in existence. These planes were the work horses of the War and many went on to civil aviation companies afterwards. This one was found decaying in Egypt.

The battery still contains the 4 huge gun casements and other buildings like the canteen, ammunition stores and blockhouses. Some of them have exhibitions inside and one has a sound and light show of what it would have been like on the night of the attack - not for the faint-hearted.

Pegasus Bridge

I won't bore you with all the details, but just post the highlights of my recent grip to France. 

I visited the Normandy Beaches about 10 years ago and have gathered things have changed in that time such as established museums being updated and new museums being built. I have been talking the trip over with my youngest son Ben but that trip might be some way off due to his work and family commitments so I thought a recce would be in order.

Starting at Pegasus Bridge, this was the extreme eastern edge of the landing grounds and had to taken and held by the British in the small hours of D Day. It was to be the main breakout point for the allies so the occupying Germans had to be overcome and stopped from blowing it up.

After months of training, the 6th Airborne landed their gliders within 50 meters of the bridge. This would have been a remarkable achievement in daylight after many practice runs but this was done first time in the dark over enemy occupied France. The bridge and its sister bridge were taken in the first ten minutes and held until reinforcements arrived later in the day. It is well documented so if you're interested, find it on line.

The existing bridge is a replacement in the original style... 

...but, following pressure, the original bridge has been preserved in the grounds of the museum. A very well informed and enthusiastic young guide illuminated the scene on the night of 6 June 1944.

The museum is a fantastic dedication to the men who fought at the bridge; not only those that lived to tell the tale but also those who died. One person in particular stands out. As the landing force ran over the bridge to take out the small defending sentries, Lt Den Brotheridge was mortally wounded in the neck. 

He was buried in the nearby Ranville civilian cemetery as the military cemetery had not been started at that point. He was the first man to die on D Day and didn't live to see his soon to be born baby girl.  His daughter has been back many times to pay respect to the father she never knew. Moving stuff.

A full sized replica of the Horsa glider is also on display. None of the original gliders still exist; they were designed to be used only once and after the landings they were stripped by locals for fire wood and mementos.

This is a 'must see' place on any trip to the Beaches - you cannot fail to be impressed by the bravery and tenacity of the men involved.

Oh, and don't forget to pop into the Cafe Gondree for some refreshments!

Is this bird simply mad?

Just spent 10 days touring the northwest coast of France by Landy - more to follow on that - but in the meantime, is this bird simply mad or just simple?

Cambridge with Lady Saga

Having bought my annual permit to enter Cambridge via the river Cam (£26), I took Lady Saga into the city. It was my second time and I thought Kay would enjoy it. And she did - despite the dull weather.

During the previous weekend, Midsummer Common had seen the annual Fair, and many of the residential boats had vacated their moorings due to the noise and other disturbance over the weekend. It's a shame people can be so disruptive - the fair has been going for about 800 years, they should have learnt by now to keep the noise down!

We moored near the water point as the visitor moorings were all full. We walked into the city and visited the shops and a few museums - we know how to have fun! Of yes and we had lunch and a pint at the Eagle RAF bar. I was served by a nice young lad who, unfortunately, ended each question or statement with the word 'sir'. I like a bit of respect and politeness but it wore a bit thin after the first six or seven times!

Returning to Little Ouse Moorings, I filled up with red diesel. At only 75p per litre, I don't get the same shudder as when I fill up the Land Rover for £1.21p. I think LOM must still be the cheapest place to fill up in the Fens - and you get a nice friendly chat with Nattie thrown in for free!

Blacking feedback

I picked up Skylark yesterday from Ken's marina at Stretham Ferry and all looked well. He had pressure washed it down to the metal, waited until the surface was completely dry then applied two coats of bitumen. His approach is to start at one end and roll one coat from the base plate to just above the water line, then apply the rest of that coat from the gunwales to just below the water line. Then he does it all again. That means the hull get two coats all over and the water line gets four.

He commented that the hull is still in good condition, which it should be after only 3 years, but recommended I should have it re-blacked every two years. I suppose he would say that wouldn't he but it makes sense really. I would prefer to prevent corrosion before it starts rather than deal with it afterwards. Personal choice. 

If you are boating in East Anglia and need blacking, I recommend Ken - he's a big, friendly bloke with tons of knowledge, he's got a cracking little dry dock tucked away next to his marina, he's skilled and his price is very competitive. Let's hope it stays that way. Give him a ring.

My first blacking

I took Skylark over to Stretham Ferry Marina on Sunday to have her bottom blacked. She should be ready by next Saturday. I'm hoping the next few days of brilliant weather means the coatings will stick well and last me a few years.

So far, I have been pleased with the service offered by Ken Mansfield at SFM and his prices are very competitive. He has a very quaint dry dock built deep into the side of the river and the feedback I have had from previous customers has been very good.  I'll hold fire on a final conclusion until I pick Skylark up again.