Tour of Northern France - Page 2

Monday 13th. 

Day two saw us take both Jeeps on a tour to the coast to the West of our site. The first stop was the 'Musee 39-45' at Ambleteuse. There were many displays of mannequins in period clothing from all sides, and strangely, the faces all looked typical of their country of origin. A Sherman and a Halftrack stood outside the museum, but behind a fence out of easy reach. After leaving the museum, we headed down to the sea front for our packed lunches! 

From there, we headed North up the coast towards Cap- Gris- Nez, and the site of the Todt 39-45 Coastal Gun Battery Museum. The gun opening in the Block House has now been glazed to protect the exhibits within, which included a nicely finished Kettenkrad, complete with two trailers in tow. Outside the museum, is one of only two 280mm Rail Guns in existence, the other being in the USA. The gun is covered in surface rust, 'though the ladders propped against the barrel and a couple of workmen suggest some work is being carried out. While not clear in the picture along the barrel of the gun, England's White Cliffs could just be seen from here.

After leaving this museum, we headed to the coast at Cap-Gris-Nez and found further concrete emplacements, some still in place, others fallen from the eroding coastline. A shelter down a set of steps was in complete darkness, but the camera flash illuminated the scene well enough for a good picture. Along the dirt track at the cliff tops, we also found a part exposed concrete ring and rusting mounting bolts, although for what I don't know.

From here we headed back to the campsite ending the day having covered 73 miles. Noel's Jeep had been having some starting problems, and the battery was suspected as not holding charge. While checking this and other things, we also found that the points gap had slipped since last being reset, so this was also re-adjusted.
When it came time for the evening BBQ, coals were supplemented with dry dead wood from the nearby trees, 'though Noel was a little reluctant to use his axe at first as it would chip the paint!! The BBQ was a little slow to kick off, so Malcolm helped it along with a small cap full of petrol!!!!

France Page 3

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