May 27th

May 27th
This morning after having French toast, fresh strawberries, juice and coffee, we left Ypres and drove to the largest war memorial in Europe, (Tyne Cot), as well as the Canadian and German memorials in the area. The memorial sights and the magnitude of war dead in this region alone, (500,000), is mind- numbing. What a senseless waste of life. We received a couple of Canadian pins from a Winnipegger that we met. We continued through the last of Belgium, then into France, and took the ferry from Calais to Dover; passing through three countries today. The cost for the 90 min. trip across the English Channel was $120 E (which works out to approx. $180.Cdn). The “Chunnel” was not a consideration because of cost. I chose to stay warm and dry during the crossing while Georg was on deck taking pictures. Noticing that at mid-point both coastlines were clearly visible, he quipped, “ What stopped the Germans when they were so close ?”
Now the fun begins driving on the wrong side of the road, (English say “right side”), as well as our driver’s seat being opposite. So far, I have hit the curb once and almost had Georg broad-sided . Sure enough, we have had great weather on the continent and now first day in England and it is raining, windy and cold in contrast to the 35 degree weather Britain had in April. Everyone is quite tanned. Georg noticed that everyone is quite a bit bigger that in Holland. Bike riding over here is not as prevelant, probably the hills and very narrow roads are contributing factors. We were planning to drive to Canterbury, but because of the “driving training” and the weather conditions, found a campground straight away. Washed clothes in a machine instead of washing by hand.