We're there!!!

Arrived in France after an overnight crossing to Zeebrugge from Hull. As we sailed passed Grimsby and Cleethorpes, the usual "flashing ceremony" had to be cancelled because of the fog. Now just in case you were wondering, this is a family ceremony which has been carried out by the Goodhand/Holmes (my mother's maden name) family for three generations, and it entails sitting on the sea front at Cleethorpes in your car, whenever a member of the family sails out of the River Humber on a ferry, or on one occasion, a school cruise ship. As the appropriate vessel sails by, headlights are flashed. This ceremony has become much easier, and more accurate since the introduction of mobile phones.

A gentle crossing, arriving in Zeebrugge on time. After leaving the ship, had a delightful drive along the coast to Dunkirk, via Ostend. in Dunkirk we managed to see the beaches, and the docks. Indeed we enjoyed the drive so much, that we decided to go back to the ferry terminal in Zeebrugge and do it all over again. That is not quite the true story, one of the three of us discovered in Dunkirk that they had left their mobile phone on the ship, so we drove back, some 60 miles to see if we could get it, and we did! Now I have to say at this point that it was the least likely of the three of us, Mark, Kathryn and I, who left if there, but I did promise her I wouldn't say who it was, so I will be true to my word. At least I got some great photographs on my return to the ferry, which I wasn't able to do when we originally came ashore!

The day was beautiful, sunshine all the was, but very very cold, and snow on the ground.

We drove along the coast again, this time to Calais, where we had coffee and a cake. Had a brief look round, but here the snow was quite thick. Drove along the north France coast to Cap Gris Nez, past many of the imposing German bunkers. At Cap Gris Nez, the narrowest point of the Channel, we got some fantastic views, but we couldn't see England because of the mist on the sea. We went for a little walk at this place, where Hitler and his gang used to look out on Englang, but it really was very very cold indeed.

We then drove 120 miles to where we are staying for 4 nights, near Albert. This part of France was right at the heart of the battle os the Somme, and the following period of trench warfare during the First World War. We have based ourselves at the same accommodation for the past 7 Parish trips, and it really is excellent and very comfortable. I will let you have details in. Later blog.

In the evening we went to the lovely local restaurant, again where we have been for the last 7 parish trips. Great value 4 course dinner + beer or wine, and coffee 14 euros. WOW I hear you say.

Turned in just before midnight, feeling very tired, but happy!!

PP
Woke at 4am to check what I had written, to see some glaring spelling errors (eg sea spelt sea), and in trying to correct the, managed to delete the whole posting.
PPS
Re-wrote blog, and found still had spelling errors (doing it on my iPad), so decided this time I would make corrections via message posting - I once again managed to delete posting.
This is my third attempt at this posting, and as someone once said, what is written, stays written.
It is now 6.15am, and that's it - sorry for any errors!!!!