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Dead Man's Corner (And Less Beer)
By Bogger
Saturday Day Four
If you’re still reading this. Well done. You’re obviously a glutton for punishment.
Today we’ve decided to go to Dead Man's Corner Museum. The museum is situated just a couple of miles to the north west of Carentan. We take the back roads via Barbeville, Rubercy and Isigny-sur-Mer. The museum is about 32 miles from Bayeux and it took us just over an hour to get there. The weather at the campsite, before we departed, was roasting so I left my waterproofs behind. I’ll not be needing those.
When we arrive at the museum it’s busy and we struggle to find a parking space. It’s also baking hot. There are various ticket options for said museum, let’s have option one. We had a look round the original house, obviously on the corner. During the war it had been a German aid and communication station and as such the inside now replicated this scenario. It was very well done. Our ticket also included ‘The D-Day experience’.
Dead Man's Corner Communication Room.
Pedal Powered?
Dead Mans Corner Aid Station.
Scary Exhibits.
At our allotted time we turn up for the D-Day experience, which is in a more modern part of the complex. Twenty five of us are ushered into a smallish room and watch a life size hologram of a speech one of the commanders gave to his airborne troops on the eve of D-day. Ten minutes later it’s over. Is that it?
We trundle out of the room into a darkened hangar to be confronted with Douglas C47 Skytrain aeroplane. We are asked to climb inside and to strap in. We now take a very, very realistic ‘flight’ from a British airfield over to France. Only to be shot down and crash land in 1944 Normandy. After the ‘crash landing’ we make our way back outside. It was now even hotter. For our missing pal back in England we had made a set of US dog tags from an original wartime machine bearing his details.
Climbing into the Skytrain
Sherman Tank.
BMW Combo.
After the worlds biggest tray of chips it’s back to the bikes to get ready for a visit to the town of Villers Bocage. This is where a large part of a British armoured division was stopped in its tracks by a handful of German Tiger tanks. How far is it Nige? Not far about forty miles. Hmm oh. We were glad to get going as we were all sweating from the heat.
Ten miles down the road it seems to be getting very dark, but it’s only 3.00pm. Then the rain starts. Hmm perhaps it’ll stop? My arse it’ll stop. It was of monsoon proportions, our speed was down to fifteen miles per hour and we could see nothing. Obviously we were drenched completely and utterly. You know what? Let's give Villers Bocage a miss. It took us over an hour to get back to Bayeux. A miserable hour at that.
Back at camp we console ourselves with a hot shower and some dry clothes. I suppose we’ll have to go for a drink tonight.
Before we head to Bayeux central again I have a very interesting chat to a couple of British lads, who now reside in France. I quite envied their lifestyle. You can guess by now which bar we were aiming for? But not before a meal and a drink in the Irish bar. I was the most Irish thing in there and I’m not Irish and have never been there.
Oh Ooh La La bar was closed. Shock horror! The rain had been so heavy it had flooded out the bar. Steady away tonight as me and Fatboy are on a mission tomorrow?? Ooh what’s that all about then?
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La France Day 1
Bogger provides an acceptable excuse for going to France but the first day of this adventure sees them in Dorking. Dorking is not in France but it does have the best beer garden ever. Apparently.
The Ferry and France
There's a ferry then there's some getting lost then there's some drinking. It seems there's an ongoing theme to this tale that involves alcohol. This time beautiful Bayeux hosts the liver apocalypse.
Normandy Beaches And Booze
Bogger and his entourage might have been to the D-Day beaches before but there's still more to see and do. They might have been tipsy before too but that won't stop them joining the locals for a round or 6.
Dead Man's Corner (And Less Beer)
Bogger and the crew take in a WW2 museum but have to curtail the rest of the day due to unforeseen circumstances. Not to worry, there will surely be more alcohol to soften the blow.
Friends With Food
The group temporarily fragments while Bogger and Fatboy visit Bogger's French friend. Food abounds all around and of course there's a beer or two to wash it all down.
Miles And Mates Coming And Going
There's people leaving, people joining, lots of riding and well wouldn't you know it - some beer! There's a crew change and a location change for Bogger today.
Cars, Motorcycles, Engines, Nap Time And More Beer
Bogger and pals (both French and English) take in the splendours of an automobile museum. There's a lot of lovely cars, a few motorcycles and one napping Bogger on display for all to see.
More Of Everything That Bogger Enjoys
Guess what? Bogger's et al are riding motorcycles, visiting museums, eating, and drinking all of Brittany's fabulous hospitality. Poor Bogger, it's a hard life.
Bogger's Brilliant Day Out
As Bogger's trip draws to a close there's still an awful lot to do, an awful lot of fun to be had, then throw in some delightful motorcycles and Bogger's a happy chappy.
Emotional Endings And Homeward Heartache
It's the end of Bogger's Brittany experience and it appears he's rather enjoyed this sojourn. Alas and alack it's back to reality though, all good things must come to an end.
Reader's Comments
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Sounds like fun (sometimes). How many times have I said "It's not going to rain, won't need them"? The camouflage on that Wehrmacht BMW is very effective isn't it - the panniers disappear into the background. Although I must say war museums aren't my cup of café au laît.
22/09/2022 16:16:05 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
That plane sim sounds a hoot.
I think I beat you on the stupid scale. When it comes to waterproofs anyway. If I haven't got em on when I set off I NEVER stop to put them on. It'll only be a quick shower...and again, and again, and....
Upt'North.
22/09/2022 17:20:14 UTC
CrazyFrog said :-
We must all be the same. If its raining when I set off, I'll put the waterproofs on, but in the forty years I've been riding, I can honestly say I can't remember ever stopping mid journey to put them on. I wonder why I've got drenched so many times?
22/09/2022 19:35:59 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
When living in the UK I maintain a simple rule. The furthest distance I will ride without waterproofs at least in the top box is 100 yards. Will I stop to put them on? Begrudgingly yes. I presently have "full leg zip" waterproofs so while it's still a bit of a faff it's nowhere near as much of a faff as regular overtrousers. Do you lot just like getting wet?
22/09/2022 20:42:58 UTC
Bogger said :-
Can I just say that our favorite bar WAS closed. But the other bars WERE open. Hic Burp, nother four pints please.
Bogger
22/09/2022 22:16:34 UTC
Bogger said :-
The windows in the plane had been converted to video display screens. So on 'take off' you can see the fields and trees go by. Then when 'Airborne' you can se the other planes in the formation and the thing pitches over and bucks as the flight continues. It was well done and engineered.
Bogger
23/09/2022 10:28:54 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I generally use traffic traveling in the opposite direction as a guide to waterproofs. Bearing in mind I am usually on a fully faired tourer and always carry waterproofs.
If the oncoming traffic has their wipers on intermittent I hold of as it may be a short shower, but if the wipers are permanently on, I stop and put on the waterproofs.
23/09/2022 11:21:36 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Headlights are another useful indication but in these days of DRL less obvious.
23/09/2022 12:17:03 UTC
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