Hotel Restaurant Orchidees Verdun

... but then we aren't Japanese down under!! It was a bit like WW3 had started for a couple of hours in the pm with several fighter jets and helicopters doing maneuvers above us, just like a free air show. Don't know if we are near an air base or a manufacturing facility, the locals didn't seem to take any notice but for me interesting!!

Number One Son drove today all around the quaint villages of the champagne district. The tastings are not free, at least 5E each and there are hundreds of cellars, but the ladies managed to restrain themselves to just two samplings!! Apparently the champagne tasted good a few bottles were purchased and we ended up at Epernay which has the Avenue de Champagne. Local produce was bought for lunch which included some powerful smelling cheese that tasted good ...

... it only had to surrender weeks after the German did occupy France and the armistice was signed. As a sign of respect the French crew of the "Fort De Fermont" was allowed to parade out of the fort with full military honours.we then returned to Etain for a fast change of clothes to head to my cousin jean-claude for diner. I will not bore you with the menu but a lot was homemade like fois gras etc...Etc...

... husband Michel decided to let go some fire works... it went fantastic for the first 10min, until Michel thought it was getting to loud (lol) Patrice of course was making sure he was letting go the biggest one and Michel repeatedly yelled "no more bang, no more bang" when suddenly we heard Patrice said " too late" he had just lit one as big as a dynamite stick. What a laugh.

Now the real site seeing starts, so far it was more of a break for me than for the family, we all got up bright and early to go and do some sightseeing of the 1st world war starting with the "Memorial of Verdun" this place is amazing no matter how many times I have seen it, it always brings me goose pimples. I then took every one to ...

So far the weather has been pretty average for Europe... even in spring where it should be much nicer and warmer than what we have now. Unfortunately this morning we have to get up at 0545am to go gat Alex at Frankfurt airport and is raining like the proverbial deluge. So here we go for the next 3 hours in the pouring rain ... too bad as I really love the autobahn. On arrival we are told that the flight from London will be around 45 late (damn we ...

Got up this morning a little late as we were supposed to do breakfast with Manu and Isabelle but as we have a big "Bauchet family reunion at lunch we do not have the time so... sincere apologies to everyone I may have offended but we only have a limited time. So here we go on the road again for the next hour and half to a little place ...

... dozen km from the town which had been evactuated prior to the fighting. The region had been fortified, due to its location, prior to WWI. In the citadel, which is essentially a deep tunnel system, has an audio visual presentation where you sit on a motorised cart which drives through the tunnels stopping for small film clips of re-enactments shown on full sized screens telling of life in the town and the citadel during the war. Very well done. After the citadel ...

... hotel said my mud splattered bike would be no problem and promptly put it in his back room. (bike bit: Reims, D74, La Potiere, Fresnes, Pomacle, Bazancourt, Warmerville, St Masmes, Bethenville, Saint Souplet, Sommepy, Manre, Ardeuil, Sechault, Bouconville, AAutry, Chatel, Sechault, Bouconville, Autry, Chatel Chhery, Apre,ont; Varennes, Avocourt, Chattencourt; Mare, Verdun)

... and then either one of two things happened, it was either destroyed in 1945 in a bombing raid, or Hitler burnt it himself to save having to sign France back over to them !!! There is a memorial built, still left standing from WW1 and there is also a copy of the railway car. To pay to see the car, realistically wasn't worth it, but at least we can cross it off of our Lonely Planet list !!! We drove back to Calais, late as usual, not having any time to ...