2 September – End of blog

We have completed all that we set out to do with the exception of finding the gravesite of my grandfather Charles Tilden Baker. My task today is to keep Johanne occupied without keeping me too occupied. There’s a fine mist outside – a perfect day to do some grave searching. We walk to the Forest Row cemetery to see if we can find my grandfather’s gravesite. It’s a bit of a long shot since he lived in Forest Row for only a few years before he moved to Brighton, but we’re determined to check out all possibilities. Johanne goes off down the rows, searching for a stone with his name.
We find a few Bakers, but not Charles. He’s definitely somewhere else. We decide to go for a hike in the Ashdown Forest, not to look for my grandfather, but to check out the view of the South Downs. The search for my grandfather will have to continue when we get home in St. Bruno. On the way to the South Downs hiking area, we have to share the road with the locals. The sheep and cattle graze freely and appear to have the right of way. The view from this area of the South Downs on the edge of the forest is stunning.
Always the fashion diva, Johanne’s “hiking” sandals are all the rage. Everyone else is wearing Wellingtons. Notice how the colour of her footwear blends with the natural surroundings. We walk towards a distant stone enclosure. It’s a memorial to the crew of a Wellington Bomber that crashed at this site on 31 July 1942. They were either on their way out or coming home and something brought them down. The serial number of the Wellington is W5364 so we should be able to find what happened to it. Perhaps when I get back.After a couple of hours of walking, Johanne’s sandals are filthy, covered with grass and whatever. It’s time to go. We arrive back at the Chequers looking forward to the Sunday afternoon Carvery. The hiking has worked up an appetite. But first we must make ourselves presentable. I get the most difficult job, cleaning her sandals. For our meal, we have the choice of lamb, beef, turkey or any combination. I have roast beef and Johanne chooses the turkey.
After a delicious meal, we retire to our room to pack. Johanne is concerned it might not all fit – its the books and magazines on the Dieppe 70th Anniversary that are causing her grief.

It has been a remarkable and at times emotional 18 days. We have enjoyed providing a glimpse of our adventure to all who have followed our blog. I look forward to sharing the memories of this trip when we get home with my family, siblings, and friends.

Until our next adventure.

Michael