Category Archives: Poland

Stalag Luft III

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09/08/23

For the first time in ages, J ran and I did a short pilates. After all the driving, my back demanded it. My stomach muscles paid for it for the next 2 days.

The Stalag Luft museum started with a short film … the area had been a German military zone, and there were POW camps here in WW1. During WW2, there were camps housing 300,000+ POWs. Stalag Luft III housed 49,000 airmen. Initially, officers and then a further camp was built for non-coms. The German Luftwaffe ran the airmen camp following German tradition. POWs were relatively well treated. They were not used as forced labour. They received Red Cross parcels. To pass the time, they organised extensive entertainment, including theatre / cabinet twice weekly.

Despite the camp’s location …. a long way from neutral Switzerland and the route to the coast was German or occupied territory. Numerous escape attempts were made. Tunnelling was the method. Another factor against the would be escapees was the camp was sited on sandy soil. They used bed slats, wood from Red Cross parcels, mattresses, etc, to shore up the tunnels. After the Great Escape, all beds were limited to 9 slats! The subsoil sand was also a different colour to the top soil, so had to be mingled or hidden. Huts were half a foot above ground and English speaking Goons used to lie underneath trying to ear wig escape plans.

Tom, Dick and Harry were dug simultaneously. One abandoned as the camp was extended where it planned to exit. Harry was used and was a few metres short, and escapees were discovered. 79 escaped. Only 3 made it to Norway. 50 were shot on Hitler’s orders. Two chaps named Churchill and Nelson escaped the firing line due to their names. Lucky.

Model of Stalg Luft III
Caught exiting the mock up of Harry
We walked through the pine wood, noticing the sheer size of the camps area to the mass grave. The cement lines added in 1961. They estimate 120,000 bodies. Many now exhumed.
The site of the exit of Harry, which was several metres short of the shelter of the forest.
Just one of the camp remains.
The museum and our previous night’s parking.

Corrie’s Post

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Summer 2023 – August I think… They say we’re in Ecosse – sounds Franglais to me….. I think we are in Scotland – home of Andy Murray, Murrayfield, Muray Firth and Murraymints ! I made the last one up…..

I must talk about Oscar – very sadly passed away in Calais – my mate – we used to snuggle together on his bed at night. But no pain or suffering which was good – much missed…

Back to Ecosseshire – we visited the Elphins – giant metal horses which changed colour at night. Then the Falkirk Wheel – they made me go upside in this device – Not my fancy at all. We ran along the canal – I went slow to make them look fast – the things I do for them….but they do look after us – sorry me…..

Got to see / sniff old and new friends. Sotland – Jesus – very lively but didn’t play? Scottish setters….. one minus one leg but very agile…..South West England and we saw Evie – a bit rumbustious and Kensey – not too well. Zoa made Evie look calm. Then Doris and Kevin at the same time. I’m exhausted and need my/their bed…

Off to Polski via Rustington – more hairy dogs – a tunnel train, night at Bergues. Polski was in a curtain – something about ironing – K has ironed curtains- why ?

Two days driving and we’re overnight at Bunkerville for a tour tomorrow – I may decide to stay in bed – K made me walk 113 km this afternoon – well, 13 actually. They discovered a leak over their bed – I hope it doesn’t disturb my sleep under their duvet – I might have to relocate James !

Goodnight and adieu Oscar ….

PELL. Here We Come

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06-8/08/2023

Farewell to Woodlands Farm in Chichester … until the end of Sept. Do hope the British start camping again … soon. The site was spectacularly empty. Dropped the aging UK car at the Aged Ps. Had a shower, ‘cos we could and we don’t know where our next water will come from, and off we went.

First stop was another huge lunch with Mel, Ian and Jimmy in Rustington. Even got a quick hello and goodbye with Ruth and Brian. Sober to Dover lunch for me as the driver. Actually, Le Shuttle, due to the recent rebrand, but sober and Dover almost rhyme. Le Shuttle even managed to put us on an early train. We promptly did our traditional tunnel crossing decamp to bed for a nanny nap! Quiet night at Bergues, about 40 mins into France.

0830 on Monday we were at Leclerc to stock up on box wine. Not sure, given how far north PELL is, how good the wine is. I’m sure we’ll sample some of the Polish vodka at some point.

Monday and Tuesday were planned to be driving days. However, we made such good progress, that we ate up 749km, leaving only 292km for the morrow. Out came the guide books … what could I put in for the next afternoon en route? Lagow became our destination. A castle and pretty village on a slip of land between two lakes.

3 pages on a spreadsheet of most of the places we’d like to see on this trip. I have put on some xxx OR yyy … in 6.5 weeks will only scratch the surface.

A quick soup lunch and then J joined me for a quick wander to the castle, now a hotel, and a view of the lake. Corrie and I continued up the other side of the lake. We followed a Nordic walking trail for about 11km. Good after such a long drive and so many calories imbibed.

Lagow
Lake view. Quite a few trees down, so I was over and under. Corrie mostly under.
The return walk was through a village. 3 linear ponds. Modern play ground. Old renovated houses with immaculate gardens.

Only a short drive, we thought, to the Bunkery Ostwall museum (love the name) we plan to visit tomorrow. I’d read that most roads are dodgy and we’ve experienced the tarmac turned into crazy paving. Our 2 sat navs are programmed to avoid unpaved roads. I guess they count century old cobbles as paved.

Average speed 10mph for over 6km.
2nd gear and wind wipers deployed. Fortunately little oncoming traffic.

The ticket office for tomorrow was shut, but the kooky cafe had an English speaker. First tour at 10. And, of course, we can sleep in the car park. Though not sure how much sleep J will get. He discovered a wet duvet … on his side. The roof light, which was replaced about 2 years ago, is leaking. Duvet drying on the dash board in intermittent sun.