Bluey service to Villers Bretonneux France

As per our usual arrangements we got Bluey serviced in Cauffry. It takes the better part of the day as the Contrôle Technique (road worthy) also has to be done. We have a curtesy car for that time so we go to the big shopping precinct at Saint Maximin to, as you guessed it, do some shopping but also some washing. We refuel at lunchtime at one of the many restaurants. 

Then it’s back to get Bluey, pay our bill (€500 seemed a bit steep) and hit the road. We have been meaning to get to the Sir John Monash Centre located at the Australian National Memorial near Villers Bretonneux, so we head off in that direction. As we are still suffering from jet lag we decide to stop at a shady parking area in Folleville (50km). It was a lovely spot looking out at the wheat fields.

In the morning we woke to a beautiful sunrise. 

We enjoyed some galettes (black wheat crepes with egg and ham) for breakfast and then drove 30km to Villers Bretonneux (previously visited on our first trip in 2013 and with the kids in 2003). This town became famous in April 1918 when Australian troops recaptured the village from the Germans, turning the tide of the German advance. 

After a walk around we went to the Australian National Memorial where more than 2100 commonwealth WWI servicemen are buried, 600 of which remain unidentified. The wing walls that flank the tower commemorate 10,719 Australian casualties who died in France.

In 2018 a museum- the Sir John Monash Centre (SJMC) was built behind the tower. It is named after the General who led the Australian Corps with outstanding success on the Western Front. We spent several hours watching and listening to many insightful stories of the battles and life on the frontline. 

It’s another hot day (35°) so we go in search of some shade. After a few failed attempts we actually end up in Pommiers, where we stayed in 2022 for the exact same reason! We swelter away for a few more hours, waiting for the storms to hit later in the night. 

Bluey reunion

We have finally been reunited with Bluey.

We left a cold and wet Melbourne. 

Our flight was uneventful (apart from the horrid turbulence) and we enjoyed the benefits of Business Class including the lounge access but especially being able to get some sleep on the beds. 

We felt quite fresh arriving in Paris CDG at 7:30am. Although the booked driver was a tad late, he was very friendly and got us to Blueys storage with no issues. 

Poor Bluey had been regulated to the corner of the shed and was very dusty from his 2 year rest.  

But to our relief he started and all other essential requirements are working … the water pump, fridge, hot water, house batteries. We were able to give Bluey a good wash before heading off.

We managed to get to the shops before they closed at midday (being a Sunday) for a few essentials. We then found a lovely spot at the aire in Clermont (only 8km away) where we unpacked our suitcases. 

Mark also replaced our bedside lights with ones that have a usb charger. The brake light also needed replacing.

By 5pm we were feeling pretty tired but managed to go for a short walk into the historic centre of town. Which didn’t disappoint. We are always impressed with the lovely buildings and the ambiance of the french villages. Not surprisingly we succumbed to sleep quite early.