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  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,852
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    edited May 2020 #35372

    Although I was only 2 1/2 at the time, I can remember VE day clearly as it was the day Norway was free of the German occupation after 5 years.

    Everyone was celebrating and I have a vivid memory of the older children pushing each other around in wheelbarrows.

    Our remote village had no Germans in it, but the nearby town of Bodo  was pretty much decimated as the Germans retreated south and burnt everything they could.  It took a long time to rebuild everything.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,190
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    edited May 2020 #35373

    Long walk again this morning so second day doing 11 miles.  Ended up on the golf course at 11a.m. So stood facing the cold dark North Sea as we remembered the people who gave us our freedom.

    This afternoons VE tea at the front of the house was a  complete washout.  After over a month with only the odd shower it decided we were due some ๐Ÿ’ฆโ˜”๏ธ

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 8,474
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    edited May 2020 #35374

    OH Oneputt how disappointing.

    KjNelln glad you can remember it, my aunt  who was 10 remembers very little - they lived in a small village in Essex, one that makes it onto calendars! One can so easily forget that some were occupied so a different sort of war. Not that there's a good sort ๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜ข. My mum remembered it as did my dad he walked from Gold Beach to Berlin, where he was VE Day. I believe he said something rather naughty to a red cap on the day ๐Ÿ˜ฏ๐Ÿค”

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35375

    Brue and the Bells, you probably have them but Sustrans do regional cycle maps, I've just got one for the Tyne and Wear and I've found it excellent, I thought I knew most of the paths round here but I've discovered some more. It is easy to see all the national and regional cycle routes and which parts are totally motor traffic free.

    see https://shop.sustrans.org.uk/maps-and-guidebooks

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35376

    Shame about the tea Oneputt.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 14,612
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    edited May 2020 #35377

    Yet another sunny day, warm but not too hot...grand for walking. Did a tour of the old sports fields this morning, stopping for the 2 minutes silence en route. More weeding in the garden this afternoon before a 5 ml walk with Flyte. I certainly can't match your distance, OP. No too many folks out walking today, but I did pass a few small gatherings of neighbours and one street party. 

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35378

    Yes we've got that one (although I may have "tidied" it away from view๐Ÿ˜).

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35379

    Lambert?!   Smacked wrists...or was it the drink?! laughing

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,852
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    edited May 2020 #35380

    When we were in Northern Finland in 2010, we visited a museum that had a lot of info on the war there, they also suffered a lot of damage, the town we were in was burnt down, only the chimneys of the wooden houses survived as they were of course made of brick or stone.

    OH's Dad was with Montgomery in the desert,  and later on the push to Berlin, he was a signals officer.  He was one of the first to enter what was left of the Reichstag, and brought home a few souvenirs......the bell from Hitler's desk, napkins originally destined for a German battleship, and a copy of Mein  Kampf.  We still have the napkins and the book, but the bell has mysteriously disappeared.

    He was in Germany quite a long time after the surrender and made some good friends amongst the civilians the British Army had to look after, he and MIL, and latterly OH , visited them in Germany frequently, and kept in touch with them up til about 5 years ago when they died.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35381

    Well it's very warm and very quiet here today. A lot of sore heads around I would think. Social distancing went out of the window for some as the day progressed. It's going to be hard easing off these restrictions when it happens.

    Doesn't feel like Saturday as Friday didn't feel like Friday.

    Too hot to garden so I might resort to a recently bought puzzle. The states of the US of A.  Having been brought up with all things Canada I can never remember where each state is south of the northern border. laughing

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,155
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    edited May 2020 #35382

    Lovely sunny day here today and quite warm so another day in the garden I think. Itโ€™s my birthday today too so a lockdown birthday will be something different we were supposed to be down at Troutbeck Head Club site this year for my birthday but back garden it is. Might do dinner on the BBQ tonight if the weather stays like this. Hope everyone has a nice weekend 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 8,474
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    edited May 2020 #35383

    Happy birthday Francis ๐Ÿป๐ŸŽ‚

    Brue I've started a complicated jigsaw, harbour view but distorted houses/buildings, hard to describe - the picture wasnt much help for the outline ๐Ÿ˜ฑ fortunately the weather turned, only the outline done at present. Hope the head recovers!

    Sitting in the shade ready to start reading new book on the Kindle, but playing on here until 3rd load of washing finishes, towels dried in minutes even with no breeze ๐Ÿ˜€. The machine has just sung its finished song so time to go,

    Just ordered a new pair of sandals - will I get to wear them this summer? Hopefully I'll still be here for next summer!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35384

    Happy Birthday Francis, enjoy the warm weather!๐Ÿบ๐Ÿท๐Ÿฐ

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35385

    Happy Birthday. Save me slice of your birthday cake.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35386

    Lovely hot day, was out before 8 and took a bike ride into Newcastle. The quayside is worth a visit if you're in the area.

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,155
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    edited May 2020 #35387

    Thanks B2 Brue and Corners for the birthday wishes 

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35388

    Seriously impressed:you must be fitter than me๐Ÿ˜€

    When we were there, there was hardly anyone around and it felt very strange. What was it like today?

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 9,414
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    edited May 2020 #35389

    Happy birthday, Francis - hope the weather with you is as good as it is down here today. smile

    Out early with the dogs because the forecast was for it to be very hot this afternoon. Met up with a guy walking two boxer puppies, both bouncing around like mad things and of course all Ralph wanted to do was steal their ball. So stood around chatting to the owner who, it turns out, I used to teach, though he left school in 1999, so hardly surprising I didn't recognise him. But I did remember when he told me who he was,  that he was,  shall we say, a "bit of a character" -  good to see how they all come good in the end! smile

    Going to be a lot cooler/colder tomorrow; big decisions is whether to put the shorts away again or not? wink

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35390

    A few joggers and cyclists but otherwise empty.

    And it's only a 7 mile journey there so not really fit at all, surprisingly just as quick, or perhaps even quicker sometimes, as using the western bypass and Redheugh bridge when I take the car, just 30 minutes using the bike through the Old Durham road through Gateshead. Came back via Dunston and the team valley.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35391

    Another then and now. The quayside in 1961 and today, only the bank upwards has stayed the same.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,915
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    edited May 2020 #35392

    just leave them on and put trousers on top.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,794
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    edited May 2020 #35393

    What a difference!

    Look at the reg on that A35 van, 10 CBB. I had one like that of the same era. Mine was 21 AFK. Hindsight, eh!๐Ÿ˜€

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35394

    It's about 5-6 miles to Quayside from ours. You can cycle along the riverside so far then a steep bank up into Bill Quay and Pelaw then eventually down to riverside again. We used to cycle over the bridge and come back through Newcastle/Wallsend side (via North Shields Fish Quay for lunch) and eventually back through pedestrian tunnel. That was about 18 miles.....I'll build up to it ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35395

    Mine was  DFF 753  and, like so many, dark green !! But it did get me a few nights cheap camping  in North Wales ( DFF was a Merioneth plate innocent )

    Used to carry about half the footy team to away matches but out of season it transported nearly all our camping gear when acting as " sweeper upperer " to the lads with motorcycles on L Plates ! Twas always a long trip up to the Keswick area with 'tatered' Beeza Bantams ' and a couple of Norton Knockers with side cars  to chase up and only me with a full licence  Thank heavens there was only ever the Preston by-pass to keep 'em away from  innocent

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35396

    My Mum's first "old" car was a Ford Prefect, KVK1, from the Newcastle area I believe? Even then the various car factory neighbours said hang on to the number plate, but she never did...frown

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,794
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    edited May 2020 #35397

    Mine was green as well, Brian. It was a posh one with rear side windows. ๐Ÿ˜€

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 9,414
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    edited May 2020 #35398

    Funny how car registrations stick with you,  well with me anyway. Dad's first car was a Morris 1000 in grey HFB 893 and I can still remember the excitement the day he brought it home to replace the old motorbike and sidecar - I think me and my brother had outgrown the sidecar!

    When we got married and started working I'd cycle to school and for Mrs M it was the bus from Hull to Brough - then we were actually able to afford our first car, a dilapidated blue Austin 1100 countryman -  XAR 848 E. Drove up the east coast of Scotland as far as Inverness over to Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye and back down the west coast via Lockerbie. Our first camping trip together.

    Happy days! smile

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 Participant
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    edited May 2020 #35399

    OH had a similar car when he met me Moulesy. I thought "what a careful driver" until he later told me he thought the floor was going to fall out. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,770
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    edited May 2020 #35400

    A different walk for us today. Very short drive, but oh so different, takes in an old carting track. It was a BOAT, but now reserved for equines and walkers and cyclists. One of our old riding routes, lovely and quiet. 

  • milliehull
    milliehull Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 4,968
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    edited May 2020 #35401

    Happy birthday Francis.  I hope you have had a good day.  Lovely photos TDA.  I wish we had somewhere nice to walk to but we are in the middle of town. I am hoping we might be allowed to drive a little further afield soon as we have some nice walks a few minutes drive away.

    Thank you for your memories of Norway during the war Kj. We don't hear enough about Scandinavia and you all had such a dreadful time.  How lovely that your FIL kept in touch with friends he made in Germany.  I was interested to see that they celebrated VE day and said that they were celebrating being freed from their oppressors. I think we tend to forget that a large part of the German population were oppressed by the Nazis as well. We saw the celebrations in the Channel Islands on the news today.  They must have been ecstatic to be freed at long last.

    I love your window bakers2.  I unearthed the bunting that we took to France with us during one of the Jubilee celebrations. The other nationalities on site were a bit bemused by all the Brits having tea parties on site!  We put them up across the front of our house.  We were Billy no Mates though as no-one else in our road bothered.  Sadly community spirit has largely disappeared in our road as so many houses are no rented out. I watched the online VE service from Peterborough Cathedral at 3.00pm a very fitting and moving service and we then watched the VE day concert from outside Buckingham Palace in the evening.  I found it very moving. Glorious weather these past few days so much time spent in the garden. After a sunny start this morning it clouded over this afternoon but still very warm. 

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