WHSC visit To Normandy - Aug 2002

These Pictures come from this years Normandy trip.We started on the Wednesday evening with the regular meal at “Les Voyageurs”, and then on the Thursday we had the driving test in the square. The weather was very good to us and a number of driving tests had been arranged by Kevin. Here is a shot of Liz with her passengers Olivia and Lucy. Lucy nervously observing yet another close encounter!

In the background can be seen some of the fine array of Hornets and French cars that attended.

The Friday took us on a treasure hunt organised by Margaret and we ended up at a high spot in the countryside just North West of Saint Sauveur. The weather was hot and hazy but with fine views of the whole of the Normandy peninsular.
I seem not to have any pics from here although I remember that there was plenty of time while we waited for Roger to complete the course in the Itala which he did, of course, in the most stately of fashion

The afternoon found us at Hubert’s place for a DIY barbeque. Some were still recovering from the previous night, some played games and we all viewed Tony and Margaret’s “new” hornet shown here.

Some took the excursion to the chateau at Crosville sur Douve and it was on the return from this outing that Tony’s mishap occurred. Fortunately it occurred when he was right back in the approach driveway to La Court and no other harm was done.

However it did give cause for a very ceremonial award of the Piston Broke trophy and much further celebration making full use of the local elixir.

The rural recovery service was also effected to much applause and admiration from the assembled company.

On Saturday the rerun of the Rauville games was held. Despite the valiant efforts of the young ladies present, the luck of Agincourt was not to be, and we were soundly defeated.

There are those of us who might observe that the more Gallic contestants have their fingers over the holes in the bottom of the cups. This could be considered an adaption of the sentiment that “England rules the waves but France waves the rules”. Nevertheless the more wily of us fully accepted the most scrupulous of judging by the organising host

This was not, of course, just an international ploy to elicit invitations to the evenings repast.

The partaking of the local food and ferment ensured full enjoyment by all

Sunday had been billed as the day of the free lunch. The assembly was to take place on the green behind the Plage in Quineville.

So firstly, down to the refuelling stop in Picauville where we encounter this very James Bond like car raised to the roofline of the Garage-Depennage

On closer inspection sous le voiture are a very English looking pair of mechaniques up to their elbows in le goo and le sticky tape.

Lucky, methinks, that the Piston Broke had already found a home.

In store for us on the west coast was a surprise. As soon as we approached Quineville there were attendants and members of the public to point our way to the assembly green. This was a truly leisurely affair with time to partake of the coffee and croissants as we assembled on the green. The mayor arrived to welcome us, and with much flourishing and gesticulation the procession was assembled and off we set. Down the promenade to the east of the town, back to the centre and off down the promenade to the west of town; back to the centre again, and down into the high street; pausing at this point to ensure that no stragglers had been detached from the cavalcade and in so doing ensuring, coincidentally of course, that no visitor to the town could possibly have missed the Mayor and his procession. Off again and out into the country brought us to the Chateau de Quineville.

The Chateau has the grandest of settings and here we were indeed to feast in the most sumptuous of surroundings

What a splendid way to finish our trip to Normandy (and also to ensure that there will be a good uptake on free lunches when offered in future).

I am sure we are all looking forward to a similar venture in 2003 which will be the tenth anniversary of this trip to Normandy and is likely to be well attended.