Had a great final day in France, at least for this time, yesterday.
After a wonderful breakfast,mwent to visit a final cemetery - Devonshire cemetery. Looking for the grave of poet Noel Hodgson, who I have to admit I had never heard of. Talking over breakfast about the away Poets to our hosts, they tell me about him, and share with me some of his poems. Great stuff!! Noel was the fourth and youngest son of a former Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and himself leaning towards ordination to the priesthood. He was killed, lie so many young men, on 1st July 1916, in action at Fricourt, near Albert. Again, another example of the shear folly and tragedy of war!
In this cemetery, it snowed, and now over the years, I have experienced every form of weather!!!
After leaving here, drove for almost 3 hours, to the Normandy Beaches. Spent time walking and reflecting on Omaha Beach - it is just packed with a sense of history and nostalgia. Also spent quite a bit of time going round the Omaha USA exhibition, and memorial, before visiting the so moving American Cemetery. Time ran out on us, and after a quich car tour of the other sector beaches, we drove to catch the overnight ferry home.
Not a great night's sleep, especially due to the fact that breakfast was being brought to the cabin for 5.30am. Was woken up at 4am by mistake!
Good journey back to Ollerton - got home by 11am. This afternoon I have just caught up with lost sleep.
I will blog my reflections on the past week in a day or so, along with entails of where we stayed, which was the most excellent of places.
Going to see my Spiritual Director this next week, before my Round Britain Rail Trip which starts a week on Monday.
Again, I will re-list the itinerary and realist the Just Giving reference for any contributionsb for Kidney Charity.
Blog tomorrow!
Thanks for your continued support.
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