D +117 Sunday 1.10.44
The weather seems brighter this morning. Was awakened by chicken pecking biscuits from enamelled plate! Intended being up at 6am for early start... but it was already 8 o'clock! No use worrying. We had breakfast - sorted all kit etc: re-stowed vehicle: filled up with petrol, water etc - and eventually got away 11.0am. No news of rest of column, but expect to meet a D.R. somewhere en route.
Route:- St Saens: Neufchatel: Londinieres: Fresnoy: Eu: and then along coast road via Brutelles to harbour at Pende. A hilly route, across valleys of rivers la Varenne: Bethune, Eaulne, Yeres, and Bresle. First stop St Saens - a little town in pretty hilly country on R. La Varenne. Brake adjustment! Adjourned to restaurant for coffee - Everyone served when I arrived - "No grub in this joint"? Pedder said something to a waitress - and she later appeared with plate of potatoes! God! they were serving us with dinner!
Another course arrived - meat and peas - and then lettuce - and bread... We had to tell her to stop. Our available cash was very low. We asked for the bill apprehensively - 200fr. (£1). We just managed to scrape it together.
Meanwhile, the seventh member of the party had been invited by a lady to lunch - all seven of us! A free lunch too! The lads really enjoyed it this time - no financial worries! Could only manage coffee myself - with much cognac in it. Decent old couple. The husband carried many scars of last war. Several people outside gave us food - cake, fruit etc. No payment asked - no begging. How different from Normandy.
Stayed too long in Saint Saens, so had to make up lost time. Next stop for food at Brutelles - after long tiring run. Very cold on high ground between valleys. Saw English Channel soon after leaving Eu. The English Channel! Am nearer home now than for a long time - Ah Jess.....
Reached Brutelles about 5.0pm. Pulled up on roadside - and immediately surrounded by dozens of youngsters - all over the vehicle. Chicken released on string - caused some fun. Corn was provided for it! Brewed up and had bread and jam - and then off once again - only a few miles to go to Pende. But soon had to pull up again - this time it was a group of people standing in the roadway waving baskets. They must have had news of our arrival, and had grub all ready for us! Bread, fruit, eggs, cakes - !! How very kind these people were! One woman even gave us some ciggys - we were very short by now. Through Lancheres and more fruit and tomatoes and finally to Pende - where the village turned out en bloc.
We harboured about 7.0pm. A long run and tiring day, but very interesting. Much more fun travelling alone than with a squadron! T.D.U. convoy had left Pende in morning for next harbour - but Geordie Grant (?) was there with a burned out engine. Erected bivvys - and then back to village to a "dance", after washing etc. The dance was in the local inn - one concertina for band - and several young people swishing around a tiny board floor. What a medley! 'Life' in a French village! Amusing to watch Geordie's reactions to a girl of about ten drinking beer...
Back to harbour at ten and a brew. But rest of fellows had disappeared from the dance. Went to bed beneath vehicle - cold, but dry.