Photo courtesy Sprangers Blogspot with thanks.
The Hans Spranger's incident on 31 May would take the prize for the worst traffic accident, when he pulled over to give way on the road from Mont St Michel to Periers, and accidentally dropped off the side of the road. Hans was alright, but it was a bit scarier for his passenger Rene sitting on the RH side. Ray McKinney came to the rescue in the NZ Dodge pulling him upright once again.
Our only incident was scraping against a large concrete flowerpot as we edged out of a petrol station. Sandy Sewell said they'd had a few as well.
A TRIP TO L ABBAYE!
We were permitted to park the vehicles up close to the Abbey for a photo shoot and afterwards we had a good look around the monastery and it's surrounding village.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET!
Pontorson, North Western Italy.
We'd gone hunting for camera batteries and film and of course, internet, and checked with the local tourist office who confirmed that there was nothing "on" in town tonight.
Then, whilst scooting up the aisles of the "carrefour" supermarket, two beaming faces popped up in front of us. Anthea and Ron saw our truck in the carpark and came in to find us. They'd been away for 4 years and just wanted to hear some good old Aussie lingo like "pikelets." They're renovating a cottage in town and called at the campsite later on to look over the trucks.
Over a delightful meal of prawns, salad, blinis and red salmon, a cheese platter, beer and wine, we formed a solid friendship based on grandchildren, ebay and our Australian heritage.
A film crew joined us this afternoon from the history Channel. Stewart and Joel are here to film the "Normandie" 65th and will stay with the convoy 2 days before moving on to the Normandy beaches.
Monday 1st June
ETREHAM CAMP - CONGRATULATIONS LANG AND BEV
THE PERFECT CONVOY!
All good things must come to an end and With our instructions on "how to convoy" refreshed by Lang? we set off for the short journey to join the British at Etreham camp.
We proved that a convoy was possible as we all pulled in around 9 am intact and without incident. Lang reckoned we'd still be coming if we'd set out as a convoy from the beginning, but there's a difference between travelling 130 kms and 35 kms an hour. The speed was cut down this morning to allow the film crew to race ahead to get a vantage spot three times, and to film from the back of the vehicle as we convoyed along behind it. Anyway, it's a fantastic effort and we're all here safe and remarkably without a traffic incident.
CONGRATULATIONS LANG AND BEV! YOU DID IT!
You've got to hand it to Lang and Bev. They take all the wingeing and whineing from a lot of us when things go wrong, fees are high or campsite bookings fall through. They somehow manage to keep composed and smiling and "soldiering on" towards Normandy.
Sunday 31st May
Ron and Anthea picked us up at 10 am and took us to visit their steam buff friend Simon Burch (who loaned us his Turkish flag to complete our set) and dropped us back in to pick up the truck.
We put the Navman on and headed straight for Peter Tombs farm arriving at 3.00 pm.
Our last night was spent camping on a 6 acre farm 15 km between Periers and Lessay. Peter and Marjorie Tombs long time friends of Lang and Bev, invited us all to stop over. It was a BBQ to remember; drinks, chips, dips, meats, salads (a whole baguette each) followed by a selection of tarts and a cake iced as an Australian Flag all home baked by Marjorie. A quilt handmade and generously donated by Jenny McKinney was presented to Marjorie as a thank you gift and memento from the "Anzac Convoy." Sam (on sax) and Dale (on guitar) supported a very talented local guitarist to bring a close to a great evening.
Peter had a wonderful collection of very complete vehicles for us to look over in his brand new purpose built shed. There were 13 trucks, 7 motorcycles, pushbikes, a penny farthing, advertising signs, 2 toy jeeps. Civilian vehicles included a 1939 Austin 8, 1930 Citroen C6 milk truck, 1930 Citroen C4. Also, Daimler Dingo, 3 Dodge Command cars, one very rare 1/2 tonner, a scripted ford jeep, pedal powered pedestal tripod generator, one 1/2 ton Dodge styleside pick up with civilian interior.
A 1917 James Model 6 motorcycle with side car, looked very awkward to ride and in Peter's own words it was "like riding an Octopus on heat!"
BLACKMAN CHEVY
As Peter was showing us around, he told us how in England our Yankee Joe or rather its GMC equivalent was endearingly refered to as a "blackman chevy." This was because the United States command kept its black GIs local in the UK fearing they would be dealt with more harshly by Hitler's forces. Whenever you saw a GMC, the driver would be black.
Friday 29th May 2009
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!
Lang had arranged a tour of the UNIVEM PARIS ILE DE FRANCE workshops at Versailles. Serge Levy gave us 1 1/2 hours of his time to explain the vehicles that are garaged there at the moment. The Organization was started in 1984, as the MVCG and has around 160 members with approximately 160 vehicles, 50 housed privately at the moment.
Blitzes are Serge's passion (about which he is a published author) and Nigel and Lisa and their 2WD Chev Blitz troopy "Leisa Jane" formed an intstant bond! He also was very complimentary about our "Yankee Joe" referring to it as a "very beautiful Chevrolet".
I took a 45 minute video which can be made available. He thought we fought under a "red" flag in WW2, so I presented him with "The Australian Flag," once again compliments from our Federal Member of Parliament, Bernie Ripoll. Serge gave the MJCQ an inscribed English War Department fuel can.
The vehicles included Pacific Dragon Wagon, 980 Diamond T tank transporter complete with ballast box, Scammell coffee pot recovery, Sherman tank (5 Dodge engine type), GMCs, Dodges, Jeeps, Inter semi and trailer, Laffly with its extra forward and centre trench crossing dolly wheels, Ward le France wrecker, Humber gun tractor, Weasels, Matchless, Pacific tractor and low loader trailer, 969 Diamond T wrecker super complete with tools.
From the campsite in central Paris we drove to Versailles where we stopped for a photo shoot outside Louis XIV summer palace - an unexpected pleasure!
Keeping to the motorway then for the 300 km journey to Le Mont St Michel one of the most picturesque strategic island monastries in the world. Seeing it loom up on the horizon is like something out of a fairy tale.
I thought the drive today most pretty and interesting with yet another architechtural style, herds of dairy cattle and beef cattle. Whilst in a picnic spot a former Aussie couple introduced themselves as Sue and Bernard David. They said their local Motor Vehicle club would love to have spent some time with us.
I'll leave you to ponder on a large hand painted advertising sign I noticed - "DETACHMENTS VEHICLES OCCASIONS" - used car parts!
Thursday 28th May 2009
PARIS A CITY OF ARTS AND ROMANCE
Thanks to the desire of Napoleon to leave an artistic legacy, and to the German General who defied Hitler's orders to destroy Paris, we have a city centre which is an internationally recognised arts smorgasborg. The Eiffel Tower is the only high rise building in the precinct. A look at the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower and the windows of the Notre Dame were a few of the things we wanted to see. We were joined by Anne and Bob Ward as we cruised around town twice on the "Big Red Bus," and in doing the odd bit of souvenier shopping. Four heads are better than two when finding your way around on the Metro!
Wednesday 27th May 2009
PARIS OR BUST!
Once again Sam and Lorraine led off the group of five as we convoyed from Le Breuils to Paris taking the Champagne Valley Tourist trail.
I had my first drive for a while. Actually, since I got the RH rear stuck fast against the kerb in a seaside village in Italy. Italian, Swiss and French roads are a much better standard and have formal kerbing. Our RH rear is suffering due to the front driving axle being one wheel width narrower than the rear axle which has duals on it. It keeps getting chunks taken off it when we don't allow for it on kerbsides, narrow streets and right-hand corners!
I only drive to give Dale's balls a rest, but I know he wouldn't like me repeating that! I'd noticed the guy on his motorbike stand up every now and again and do a pelvic giration.
We received a call for help from Nigel on the UHF. He had a broken water pump flange! Yesterday it was the Jeep with a broken axle, and today the Blitz water pump. They'd sought help in a local Caterpillar Dealership, where it was welded and replaced. Dale left his spare water pump and some all size link belt in case he needed it.
The early evening trip into Paris was our scariest yet, due to the speed of the traffic. In fact French drivers have been good and couteous, they seem to recognise the convoy for what it is, and tend the give us right of way so that we can keep together. Many of them associate us with "Normandy."
We were permitted to park the vehicles up close to the Abbey for a photo shoot and afterwards we had a good look around the monastery and it's surrounding village.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET!
Pontorson, North Western Italy.
We'd gone hunting for camera batteries and film and of course, internet, and checked with the local tourist office who confirmed that there was nothing "on" in town tonight.
Then, whilst scooting up the aisles of the "carrefour" supermarket, two beaming faces popped up in front of us. Anthea and Ron saw our truck in the carpark and came in to find us. They'd been away for 4 years and just wanted to hear some good old Aussie lingo like "pikelets." They're renovating a cottage in town and called at the campsite later on to look over the trucks.
Over a delightful meal of prawns, salad, blinis and red salmon, a cheese platter, beer and wine, we formed a solid friendship based on grandchildren, ebay and our Australian heritage.
A film crew joined us this afternoon from the history Channel. Stewart and Joel are here to film the "Normandie" 65th and will stay with the convoy 2 days before moving on to the Normandy beaches.
Monday 1st June
ETREHAM CAMP - CONGRATULATIONS LANG AND BEV
THE PERFECT CONVOY!
All good things must come to an end and With our instructions on "how to convoy" refreshed by Lang? we set off for the short journey to join the British at Etreham camp.
We proved that a convoy was possible as we all pulled in around 9 am intact and without incident. Lang reckoned we'd still be coming if we'd set out as a convoy from the beginning, but there's a difference between travelling 130 kms and 35 kms an hour. The speed was cut down this morning to allow the film crew to race ahead to get a vantage spot three times, and to film from the back of the vehicle as we convoyed along behind it. Anyway, it's a fantastic effort and we're all here safe and remarkably without a traffic incident.
CONGRATULATIONS LANG AND BEV! YOU DID IT!
You've got to hand it to Lang and Bev. They take all the wingeing and whineing from a lot of us when things go wrong, fees are high or campsite bookings fall through. They somehow manage to keep composed and smiling and "soldiering on" towards Normandy.
Sunday 31st May
Ron and Anthea picked us up at 10 am and took us to visit their steam buff friend Simon Burch (who loaned us his Turkish flag to complete our set) and dropped us back in to pick up the truck.
We put the Navman on and headed straight for Peter Tombs farm arriving at 3.00 pm.
Our last night was spent camping on a 6 acre farm 15 km between Periers and Lessay. Peter and Marjorie Tombs long time friends of Lang and Bev, invited us all to stop over. It was a BBQ to remember; drinks, chips, dips, meats, salads (a whole baguette each) followed by a selection of tarts and a cake iced as an Australian Flag all home baked by Marjorie. A quilt handmade and generously donated by Jenny McKinney was presented to Marjorie as a thank you gift and memento from the "Anzac Convoy." Sam (on sax) and Dale (on guitar) supported a very talented local guitarist to bring a close to a great evening.
Peter had a wonderful collection of very complete vehicles for us to look over in his brand new purpose built shed. There were 13 trucks, 7 motorcycles, pushbikes, a penny farthing, advertising signs, 2 toy jeeps. Civilian vehicles included a 1939 Austin 8, 1930 Citroen C6 milk truck, 1930 Citroen C4. Also, Daimler Dingo, 3 Dodge Command cars, one very rare 1/2 tonner, a scripted ford jeep, pedal powered pedestal tripod generator, one 1/2 ton Dodge styleside pick up with civilian interior.
A 1917 James Model 6 motorcycle with side car, looked very awkward to ride and in Peter's own words it was "like riding an Octopus on heat!"
BLACKMAN CHEVY
As Peter was showing us around, he told us how in England our Yankee Joe or rather its GMC equivalent was endearingly refered to as a "blackman chevy." This was because the United States command kept its black GIs local in the UK fearing they would be dealt with more harshly by Hitler's forces. Whenever you saw a GMC, the driver would be black.
Friday 29th May 2009
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!
Lang had arranged a tour of the UNIVEM PARIS ILE DE FRANCE workshops at Versailles. Serge Levy gave us 1 1/2 hours of his time to explain the vehicles that are garaged there at the moment. The Organization was started in 1984, as the MVCG and has around 160 members with approximately 160 vehicles, 50 housed privately at the moment.
Blitzes are Serge's passion (about which he is a published author) and Nigel and Lisa and their 2WD Chev Blitz troopy "Leisa Jane" formed an intstant bond! He also was very complimentary about our "Yankee Joe" referring to it as a "very beautiful Chevrolet".
I took a 45 minute video which can be made available. He thought we fought under a "red" flag in WW2, so I presented him with "The Australian Flag," once again compliments from our Federal Member of Parliament, Bernie Ripoll. Serge gave the MJCQ an inscribed English War Department fuel can.
The vehicles included Pacific Dragon Wagon, 980 Diamond T tank transporter complete with ballast box, Scammell coffee pot recovery, Sherman tank (5 Dodge engine type), GMCs, Dodges, Jeeps, Inter semi and trailer, Laffly with its extra forward and centre trench crossing dolly wheels, Ward le France wrecker, Humber gun tractor, Weasels, Matchless, Pacific tractor and low loader trailer, 969 Diamond T wrecker super complete with tools.
From the campsite in central Paris we drove to Versailles where we stopped for a photo shoot outside Louis XIV summer palace - an unexpected pleasure!
Keeping to the motorway then for the 300 km journey to Le Mont St Michel one of the most picturesque strategic island monastries in the world. Seeing it loom up on the horizon is like something out of a fairy tale.
I thought the drive today most pretty and interesting with yet another architechtural style, herds of dairy cattle and beef cattle. Whilst in a picnic spot a former Aussie couple introduced themselves as Sue and Bernard David. They said their local Motor Vehicle club would love to have spent some time with us.
I'll leave you to ponder on a large hand painted advertising sign I noticed - "DETACHMENTS VEHICLES OCCASIONS" - used car parts!
Thursday 28th May 2009
PARIS A CITY OF ARTS AND ROMANCE
Thanks to the desire of Napoleon to leave an artistic legacy, and to the German General who defied Hitler's orders to destroy Paris, we have a city centre which is an internationally recognised arts smorgasborg. The Eiffel Tower is the only high rise building in the precinct. A look at the Mona Lisa, Eiffel Tower and the windows of the Notre Dame were a few of the things we wanted to see. We were joined by Anne and Bob Ward as we cruised around town twice on the "Big Red Bus," and in doing the odd bit of souvenier shopping. Four heads are better than two when finding your way around on the Metro!
Wednesday 27th May 2009
PARIS OR BUST!
Once again Sam and Lorraine led off the group of five as we convoyed from Le Breuils to Paris taking the Champagne Valley Tourist trail.
I had my first drive for a while. Actually, since I got the RH rear stuck fast against the kerb in a seaside village in Italy. Italian, Swiss and French roads are a much better standard and have formal kerbing. Our RH rear is suffering due to the front driving axle being one wheel width narrower than the rear axle which has duals on it. It keeps getting chunks taken off it when we don't allow for it on kerbsides, narrow streets and right-hand corners!
I only drive to give Dale's balls a rest, but I know he wouldn't like me repeating that! I'd noticed the guy on his motorbike stand up every now and again and do a pelvic giration.
We received a call for help from Nigel on the UHF. He had a broken water pump flange! Yesterday it was the Jeep with a broken axle, and today the Blitz water pump. They'd sought help in a local Caterpillar Dealership, where it was welded and replaced. Dale left his spare water pump and some all size link belt in case he needed it.
The early evening trip into Paris was our scariest yet, due to the speed of the traffic. In fact French drivers have been good and couteous, they seem to recognise the convoy for what it is, and tend the give us right of way so that we can keep together. Many of them associate us with "Normandy."
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