The Arrowgroup

Day One: Saturday 13 June

And so it was that a strike out to foreign parts was arranged, with a hop across the channel and drive down to Normandy, with a base in the pretty town of Honfluer. After collection of all Arrow parts the clongomerate headed down the motorway toward Kent, stopping off at Maidstone services en route. At Maidstone services we are all in the vehicle and about to leave when Matt announces that the warning light shows the boot to be inadequately shut. The boot is actually completely open! Oh dear...

The journey continues and they arrive at the Channel Tunnel Port. It was a swift crossing in the tunnel, only taking 25 mins. On the tunnel train, Chris is practising his French and recalls some schoolboy stuff. "If anyone asks you how old you are, the answer is 'J'ai onze ans'" he announces proudly. Stuart mis-hears, but then folds up on realising that means 'I am 11'. Appropriate for the time but points out it is an adjustable statement... From the tunnel it's then a drive along the A26 to Agincourt for a nosy round, it being an important historical battle site. The Group mill about, miss the Visitor Centre and the battlefield somehow. After that, they are coming out of Azincourt and a little lost. Mark is map reading and looking around at his surroundings. I think this place is Carrefour he says (without thinking), as he had seen a sign which was clearly advertising the famous supermarket chain. Having inspected the 'monument' they then leave Agincourt for good and head for Honfleur, their base for the holiday.

After colonising the house it's then to Leclerc Supermarket for a fill up before heading back to the house for a light bite as we are starving. In the order of time they, naturellment, hit the town for food and drinks, eating at La Trinquette Restaurant then heading to Entre Terre et Mer Bar where it's €8 per pint! A good evening. Discussing tomorrows likely destinations, the subject of the tapestry (A 'carpet on a wall' according to some of the arrow members) came up. Mike suggested we could go there on Monday. Chris stopped him mid-flow and declared it was closed then. Mic said, "How do you know its closed?". "Well they vacuum it on Mondays.." came back the reply. Back home for Baileys / Wine & Carbs before falling asleep.

Day Two: Sunday 14 June

It's a sunny day today so perhaps hit the beach or bask in the sun? Nope. The Group decide to visit a bridge instead. But not any bridge though, it's the Pegasus bridge no less of WW11 fame. Matt made an enquiry of Mike about the bridge they are going to see. "Give me some History then!" went the conversation. "Well" said Mike, "William the Conqueror used it in the early age. It was a meeting point for Francis Drake in 1610" he enthused. "Don't give me all that", interrupts Matt, "I'm only interested in the history post 1936"..Chris is able to help: "In that case, they've painted it"..

A car journey later and they arrived at the Pegasus Bridge, Benouville. It was a look round the museum there then the WW11 theme was kept going with a metaphoric march on Arromanche for a general mill about there. The Group have a small meal including crepes which was nice. They head for the Beach 'Gold' - to look at the concrete Blocks that made up the Mulberry Harbour. The the appreciation of these artifacts it was homeward bound via Juno and Sword Beach (Omaha and Utah missed out on their presence, sadly.)

With all the certainty of an on-time express train it was time for DSA, that most cherished of Arrow rituals which must be done no matter what. Then later after the spark of life reinvigorated itself they set off for a meal in the town. This was at La Cheloupe and afterwards drinks at Albatross and La Vintage Bar before retiring for the night and a round of Baileys / Wine etc.

Day Three: Monday 15 June

Another day another breakfast. raring to go, the Group then set off for Bayeaux where, apparently, there's an 'old carpet on a wall' to be viewed. They arrive in Bayeaux and go to the Tapestry Museum, not surprisingly. In the Bayeux tapestry, Matt was ahead on the pictures and dropped a depth charge. The rest of the group were then unable to take in scenes 39 - 42 and an innocent Japanese tourist was also an unfortunate casualty. Later, Chris walks out of the tapestry museum unaware that the others have handed in their mobile audio pieces. An alarm is sounded causing amusement and an assistant dashes over to retrieve the device. An attractive looking garden cafe lay in wait outside the museum, so like the touristes anglais they are, make a beeline for it. It wasn't good, with it serving a hideous variety of microwaved meals. Sitting outside there, Mark, Chris and John are discussing video transfer in great dept. After about 5 mins, Stuart is picking up the steak knife. Mike also chips in that his limit is being reached, to which Matt says that whatever he is feeling, it doesn't even come close to his own mood in the tapestry museum. Not a lover of history then, it would seem.

More museum fun after that as they were on their way to the Normandy museum of 2nd World War. Exhibits a plenty, the Group take their fill then leave, with a drive past of Ohama Beach followed by a visit to the Le Point du Hoc, observing gun emplacements and the like. Opportunities were endless for a good session of millage. Millage fulfilled, it was then home via the Supermarket for stock up. DSA as usual then food at the Ancora Bistrot Italien in the evening. During the meal, Mark requires some additional supplement for his sweet and calls for a 'hot sauce delivery'. Chris asks if this is what he used to put in his adverts. Drinks after at The Green Parrott and La Vintage Bar to finish off the evening.

Day Four: Tuesday 16 June

Another nice day, so the Group walk down to the harbour to book the afternoon boat trip which is something to look forward to. Mark has stepped out of the house for the days activities, the other members are milling in the street waiting for him. He knows we are heading to book the boat trip but still asks the question, which way is it, up or down? Chris helps with "Well were going to the water, so definately down". It's then a walk to the beach in Honfleur at the Seine estuary. The Group of grown men then decide to dam the stream that is filling the Seine; well part of it anyway. They consider the damming a success. They then spied a Mini Golf - it was last used 10 years ago by the looks of it. Ah well, a walk back into the town then for a small eatery off the harbour. We are at the restaurant out of the tourist bit and the french waitress speaks no english. Mark has decided that he wants another drink and needs to catch the waitresses attention. "Excusez-moi!" he yells across the room. It was a surprise attack in an empty room and one that took out Stuart's eardrum. In the same restaurant, Chris tries a little French and orders a large Coca Cola. Back comes a Grand Marnier! It's back to the house after for a chill out.

Down to the harbour later for the aforementioned boat trip on the 'Jolly France' up and down the Seine and it's esturine qualities. Such as they are. Satisfied, the Group finish and back it's to the house. Mark John & Chris drive to the Normandie Bridge and walk to the middle of it for shits and giggles. It was noisy due to traffic but otherwise a most excellent viewpoint.

Back to the house for DSA of course, it’s the last night and Matt finally finds a restaurant that he's happy with in the old town of Honfluer. So it's the Café Resto then La Vintage Bar. Outside the Vintage, an attractive blonde walks up from the harbour behind Stuart. A few minutes later she walks back again. Stuart says that she has come to look at an Adonis and surprised she didn’t spot him the first time. Chris observes that she was dazzled by his brake light (his sunburnt bald patch) Finally, it's a return home to use up the last of the food & drink as it's the last night.

Day Five: Wednesday 17 June

The journey home begins. The Group lock the house that has been their home over the last few days and leave Honfleur for the last time and travel up the A29 and A16 to the Channel Tunnel. They pass through UK Border Agency. As the passports are gathered in at the Calais terminal, Chris notes that John is looking particularly young. On closer inspection, it turns out that his passport has expired some 9 months ago. After a close grilling by the customs people, he is let off with a warning by immigration but not before he has stained his seat and looking very ashen faced.

Time for a snack in the terminal before the crossing, everyone sets their watches an hour backwards to blighty time. The English Leg starts and they make it for lunch at Bishop Stortford Services on the M11. The finally arrive home after 406 miles and 8 and half hours travelling, bringing the trip to a close.