Boulogne to Stella Plage – Hot and Bitter (third post today)

It was to be a long day today. Over 21 miles in a hot sun. Bring it on you bed wetting boo boys.

What does that mean Dave?

No clue mate, just wanted to sound macho without having to face any risk by doing so as this blog is retrospective recording. As such, I know the outcome by the time I’m writing it so I can portray the day in a way that makes me look manly. In fact…….hold on a minute mate will you before I finish this reply. I just need a wee wee.

There, that’s better, now what was I saying…….? Oh that’s right – have a look at these potty cats.

Bye Boulogne.

Today was a tarmac day. Pounding pavements as fast as I could to make up some ground. And not many photos. Sorry.

However one village had a right big street market.

Fifteen sweaty miles later another village had something half worth photoing.

And just around the corner this bloke bunged up the equivalent of the world’s most amazing garden gnome. Is he religious?

Then my fatuous nature was cut down by the most emotional and humbling experience of this trek. The Etaples Commonwealth Great War Cemetery. My jaw dropped.

I was drawn in and couldn’t stop looking at the headstones. These were lads. And lasses – 20 female nurses killed by the Germans.

These lads were never identified.

These died just a week before the end of the war.

I staggered out weeping and wailing. It did for me.

I crossed the river in Etaples and pounded the last four miles, dehydrated and sad.

The room was crap, but I ate well before I slept and slept deeply.

Night night.