Hi John, Thanks for finalising the farmhouse booking for us - we have a CP! Looking forward to seeing the living room pictured below at 'Le Houlland' covered in maps and aerial photos! Below is a screenshot from the booking site; the farmhouse now reserved for our group is visible round the corner of the stables, which is the building in the foreground: Perhaps the first aspect of our tour might be to have a look at the many glider sites discovered on the Forum...I am thinking maybe two full days? In order to gain access to the fields, I think its important we commence an organised process of firstly identifying the property owners involved and then contacting them for permission to access the fields concerned. Anyone any thoughts on how this might be best achieved? Regards, Pat
Hello Pat and all, Glad to see the accomodation is sorted. I'm happy to tootle around over the winter and ask about the possibility of visiting various places. I think it best to come up with a list, sort them out by how keen members attending are to visit them, and then seek permission. We have time. The only potential issues really I think are whatever the owners are using the field for in June. For crops, then I think obviously it's a "no". Pasture land, well again it depends on what's in the field. Cows might not be a problem, horses neither. Bulls might be a case of "at your own risk" If we can nail down some sites then, and take it from there. Do you want to continue in this thread or open up a new one? Cheers Sean
Thanks Sean, Lets start with glider fields; where do we want to visit? Any suggeztions? I think any field with livestock or growing crops should be avoided unless the owner brings us onto the site. Also, its best not to call at milking times on dairy farms and in June livestock farms may be harvesting grass or maize (corn) for silage...most definately to be avoided from a H&S point of view. Common sense should prevail. I think we might continue with just this thread on the subject in order to maintain cohesion. It seems to be getting quite a few 'views' and readers probaby have saved shortcuts for quick access. Regards, Pat
I'm all for cohesion Pat, but it might be a good idea to have a place with an overview of this 'project'. People who develop an interest at a later date can't really be expected to read an entire hread like this, especially as it undoubtedly will continue to grow in length.
Hi All, I agree with Niels and Sean that we should have another thread just for an location wish list and itinerary. In fact I would place it in the "Ask A Question" section, so it doesn't cover up this thread by bumping it. Also (for example) if we are at the pond field, that is a good time to visit Hiesville, Vierville, Angoville, and Addeville areas, rather than running to the next glider location. John
I have read all this about the proposed holiday meeting with great interest - but unfortunately i will have to decline. However, I wish everybody a great time, and look forward to seeing the reports as they occur. cheers Allan
Hi Allan, Thanks for checking in and letting us know. It is too bad that you will not be able to make it. But if circumstances change, you are more than welcome! John
A second thread..., Have a look guys at my table showing a provisional Schedule of Events in the edited opening post of this thread here. Does this table negate the need for a second thread? Content in the table is for illustration purposes only and can be amended, edited and added to as we progress discussion as this end of the thread. What do you think? Pat
I would say from your rough Schedule Pat that you're trying to fit in too many locations in the am and pm. What would you guys be planning for the 8th? I am currently thinking about staying in the stables from around the 1st till the 10th of June as I'll have my family with me.
Hi Pat, I like grouping locations into general areas because I think that will be the best way to tackle locations. I also think that we will have to keep the schedule loose so that if we do have a combined groups day with maybe Mark Bando, we have the freedom to move or adjust our agenda. We may even be in the situation where in our evening discussions we are deciding on where to go the next morning or afternoon. ... And like Neil says, since we already have the reservation starting on the 7th, don't forget about the 8th! I am hoping that a big amount of the core group can maybe commit for at least the 8th thru the 10th ... or longer. I am sure as we get much closer to the date we can finalize some things, but I hope we hear from many others on what they might like to see. For example, the Normandy American Cemetery is on my list but it might make the most sense for me to just see that alone and later in my visit. John
Purely to get the table format working as intended Neil We can change and adapt locations as required. Pat
Yes, I agree John, there are places where only a small number of people would be interested in seeing - not that your example would be one of those; a big contingent will want to visit Colleville, but I am thinking more like the village of Boissey, pertinent to the 'Charlie's Church' thread. Personally, I would be eager to do a 'Falaise Gap' tour over either one or two days; perhaps on one of the set tours run by the guides, if we could fill eight seats on a minibus. In order to progress matters though, can we firstly work on the American airborne bridgehead, where I expect the largest level of interest will surface. We don't need to finalise exact locations so soon, but let's put some geographical structure on it. For example, what is the level of interest in going down to Graignes, which is probably the southernmost location in the American airborne bridgehead. Thoughts please, Pat
Pat, Graignes is not a high priority for me personally, but since I will be there longer than most I might see it at some point. I wonder if Graignes could be covered as a quick stop when seeing maybe something like a Carentan / Bloody Gully / Brevands / type day, or when heading to the other beaches or on a St Lo / Falaise type day. Please guys, lets all attending give some feedback on locations... John
I am very interested in the areas on the schedule. However I am not sure if the area NE of Boutteville including the Audoiuville, St Martin and Germaine areas are included. This is the area my father reported landing his Horsa in water on June 7,1944. At this time are only 2 days planned? Thanks. Chuck
Charles, We would be sure to include any area you wish to cover. I plan on staying for 10 days and some others for a week. Neil is the only one I know for sure that will have to get back since he arrives in Normandy on the 1st. Others I don't know, but I think a few of the regulars here may have to work, or get back to work. I wish I knew more... John
Hi Chuck, We hope to be running informal group tours of locations foe about a week or so, perhaps longer depending on how many people can stay beyond seven days. Mixed in will be a few guided formal tours run buy the battlefield guides. Sean has kindly offered to do a couple of such tours for no fee but we will be looking for those taking his tours to at least cover his costs. Other guides might be persuaded to give us a discount on their tours as a result of Sean's generous offer I'll add some of these tours to the Schedule of Events as examples only and see what interest there is. Pat
Guys and Gals, Have a look at the sites of our two Forum members who are professional battlefield guides. We would hope to integrate some of their set tours, either in part or in full, into the week's events: Normandy Insight (Sean Claxton) D-Day Historian (Paul Woodadge) Feedback please. Thanks, Pat
Hello there Couple of things.... I'll avoid offering feedback regarding Pat's last post for obvious reasons but reiterate I'm happy to offer a couple of days work to the group for free. Like I said I've got enough out of this forum to more than compensate for that. For info the tours on my website are just suggested guidelines for a day, just to give people an idea of what's here and what can be accomplished in whatever time they have. Don't underestimate the driving time to (and from) some of the "other" locations like Boissey, Falaise etc., away from the US Airborne sector which it seems most folks here are interested in visiting and in which of course the group will be based. If Falaise (or to a lesser extent St Lô) will be on the agenda then a minibus for the day would be indeed the best option. This could be awkward for me as I don't have the relevant licence to drive paying passengers. As I wouldn't charge I guess it would be totally legal but I'd rather avoid any potential hassle with the transport regulation authorities and/or malevolent types. I can certainly look into the legal ramifications in the coming weeks, as we have almost a year of course. Graignes is doable if you want to hang around the environs of Carentan for a day. It's only about 15 minutes from the Bloody Gulch/Bloody Gully area. It depends what everyone wants to do in and around Carentan of course. Potentially there's easily enough to fill a whole day there, especially if there's a bit of a "walking tour" in the town itself. Hope this makes sense. There's a thunderstorm happening now so I'll stop before the power goes.... Anyone have any direct questions, please feel free to ask here, via PM, or email. Cheers Sean