Sounding a Scottish retreat

In May-June 1940 the Germans swept across France leading to the well known British evacuation at Dunkirk and subsequently over-rated 2018 movie of that name. Less known is the disaster that befell the Scottish 51st Highland Division in and around St Valery-en-Caux and in the village of Veules-les-Roses. 300 Scots were evacuated from the beaches here, while the bulk of the Scots were surrounded and captured between here and St Valery. I though the name was familiar.

Guns from the Cerus, that grounded offshore trying to take off soldiers. Another ship took of the soldiers but the ship fought on until its ammunition was exhausted. The surviving crew eventually surrendered.

Another later Atlantic Wall defensive position overlooking the beach at V-l-R.

There was some time-tripping for a 19th C wedding party, though the Covid masks were a little anachronistic!

We tried to stop in St Valery but there was no short-term parking for Reggie to be found. 

Tonight's park-up is Dudeville  Doudeville, en route to Rouen. Another nice little town, though their signposting leaves something to be desired. It is apparently the Capital of Flax. (Trivia: NZ's biggest industry in the 40s? Flax!) Their very unusual Hotel de Ville used to be the covered flax market.

Plenty bargains to be had, if you want a maison in Dudeville...

Our park-up.

The weather has been glorious. I am slightly sunburnt, and the biere/vin tastes all the better when sitting in the French sun in a French village. Life is tough.