In a slightly jumbled order, some images from days 1 & 2 of our ride now starting through France, most importantly of the German war cemetery near Marigny, where Jutta’s uncle Hans is buried.

Hans died on day 11 of Operation Overlord, just a month short of his 18th birthday, his gravestone in the beautiful, heartbreaking and carefully tended German cemetery remembering, like the other 6000, two dead soldiers.

So young.

Technically, our trip is going largely well, though not knowing we were meant to keep our Pendix batteries charged over the winter, we find they’re well down on last year’s capacity.

Just 50km each if there are any hills (which in Normandy there are), so the longer daily distances are going to be a challenge.

Also, I mustn’t leave Jutta behind again.

Near Utah beach (Juttah in Utta?), one of the two main landing points for the American army on June 6, 1944, I hadn’t realised that, alarmed by an approaching car as I manoeuvred our tandem across the road, she had climbed off.

Somehow, her weight doesn’t change how Daisy handles with panniers and trailer, and off I pedalled, chatting away to my absent stoker, stopping to check the empty saddle only 300 metres later when Jutta wasn’t answering.

In a huff, I wondered? She very nearly was, but we did smile…

Pictures with captions now speaking for themselves.

Preparing to load Daisy as we leave home.
Strapped down
Stopover with Jake & Annabel in Oxford on the way.  With van.
Exiting the ferry in Cherbourg
Normandy back lane. Exquisite cycling.
Where Hans was killed
The farmhouse today where the firefight took place.
In three weeks it’s 80 years since D-Day, and there are already American and French flags being hung everywhere.
Not to be left behind again.
Jutta on Utah Beach.
Sunset over Carentan
Our route day 1
Route day 2
Only in France. Oysters self service.
In memory of those who died, on all sides.

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