We spent our last couple of days to the east of Dunkirk, not far from the Belgium border and in an area steeped in WWII history. We were staying near the dunes where British troops camped in early June 1940, awaiting evacuation back to England as part of Operation Dynamo. At low tide the wrecks of a couple of British paddle steamers that came under fire are still visible. We also walked along what remains of the Môle, the pier where the larger ships docked to enable troops to board, and visited the nearby museum chronicling the events of those days.
From there it was a short trip back to Calais and Eurotunnel, fortunately avoiding any delays following a broken down train in the tunnel the previous evening. We’ve had a wonderful six months on the road and our new (or not so new now) van has lived up to all expectations and made the trip even more enjoyable.
We’ve charted our stops on an app called Polarsteps which is quite a nice way of showing graphically where we went and all the places still to do. Time now to shake down the van and start planning the next adventures.
Thank you for reading!
Oh Claire, we have enjoyed every single one of your emails – they have been so interesting and informative that on some occasions we have felt as though we were there with you! I do so hope you are going to turn them into a book? It would make fascinating reading for people wanting to embark on a similar journey.
Much love from us both
Mary xx
Thank you Mary – really glad you’ve enjoyed reading about our adventures. We’re going to read back through them ourselves and remind ourselves of all the places we’ve been to along the way. Love to you both. C xx
Really enjoyed following you on your adventures Claire, & I do hope we can find time to catch up soon.
All the best, Love Wendy xx
Thanks Wendy and thanks for following our travels. Just getting ourselves shipshape again and would definitely love to catch up soon – will be in touch. C xx
Have been following your journey with interest Claire & Joe. In Dunkirk, you probably walked/stood where my Dad, your grandfather, did Claire. He was apparently one of the last to leave (according to my Mum, who seemed a bit annoyed he didn’t get back to England sooner!)
Enjoy getting back to ‘normal’ and planning your next trip.
Love to you both,
Chris & Malcolm xx
Hi Chris it wasn’t until I spoke to Dad when we got back last week that he told me that Grandpa had been evacuated from Dunkirk and he didn’t know that until Aunty Peggy told him. I also remembered that great-grandpa Brown owned boat that had previously been to Dunkirk. Fascinating history! Hope you are all well. Claire and Joe xx