Strange Notations From a Laborious Life

We have hit the first thick fog of winter today, and no, that’s not me venturing out on my early morning walk….just a free photo to capture the mood for the day. I didn’t see the worst of it, I wasn’t out of bed until after 8am but it was still thick on the ground when I let the dog out and fed her. She wasn’t impressed to be thrown outside although for the old dog she is she likes a feed. It was reasonably warm in the sun and it looks like it will be a fine day but that doesn’t placate the dog. She’s sodded off to her bed in the garage-her downstairs apartment as I call it and is probably sulking. I will go out there shortly and she will no doubt have that sunken eyed look of a canine that feels it is getting the thin edge of the wedge. Never fear, she gets looked after alright.

Yes, winter again and it has been cold. The last few winters in Canberra have been mild but this year certainly has a chill in it. I have tried to stay indoors for the most part and my gardening has been put on hiatus for the moment. Nothing much wants to grow in this weather anyway. Yes, Europe beckons and I am looking forward to that French summer sun in a few weeks although the ten days or so I will be spending in the Scottish Highlands may not be so warm and pleasant.

And, as I talk about my coming travel it is worth noting that it is the 6th of June today, a date forever etched in history as D-Day, the beginning of the liberation of western Europe in 1944 and one of the most important days of the 20th century. It’s the 75th anniversary of the invasion this year and the last few veterans of that “Longest Day” are strutting their stuff in Portsmouth, re-enactors are swarming the beaches of the Cotentin Peninsula and tourists are no doubt wandering the cemeteries behind the famed landing grounds paying homage to those who gave their lives in the great campaign.  Of course fighting didn’t begin or end on D-Day. The Battle of Normandy was a hard fought affair, the fighting was as tough and as vicious and unforgiving as the Second World War could produce but it was the beginning of the end. Germany could no longer hope to hold the Soviets in east whilst being hard pressed in the west. The war was over nine months later.

I am staying in Cherbourg for a couple of days in late July/early August. I’ll be visiting Omaha Beach where American gallantry shone so brightly and will try to get down to one of the British beaches as well. Old battlefields can be beautiful yet poignant places. A sharp reminder of the cost of war yet it is often hard to imagine the struggles and horrors that gripped these places when you visit them decades later.

So, the countdown is on. Nervousness is roiling in my stomach as we get closer to leaving. I hope to write and fill you all in on our adventures. Until then, happy days.