27 July - Albert to Epernay

Another great brekky at Hotel Royal Picadie before we left Albert for Epernay. Very relaxing driving on small roads before Michael put us onto the motorway to gain a bit of time. Wow 130km/hr but that wasn't quick enough to stop other cars whizzing by! The toll caused a bit of a problem at first but we think we have them mastered now.

We visited Villers-Bretonneux a beautiful town and a massive memorial. This is where the British and French fought over 4 years and on the night of 25 April 1918 the Australian troops recaptured Villes-Bretonneux from the Germans. 

This huge National Australian Memorial is where Anzac Day is commemorated every year. 

Around the walls of the Memorial are the names of 11,000 Australians "missing" in action in France. 

Me up the top waving my scarf!

Near the entrance overlooking battle fields. 

Then we went onto Le Hamel to see the Australian Corps Memorial.

It is claimed that the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (WestAustralians) led by Lieutenant General Monash, took only 93 minutes to move around the Hamel village, advance up hill and drive the Germans from a series of trenches and dug outs on top of the hill. This is known as the Battle of Hamel (a textbook victory).

There is a path with stations like this giving an account of what happened with photos (also some original trenches from WW1).

A wheat crop is surrounding it overlooking the valley of the Somme. 

The inscription on the Memorial. 

It was here at Le Hamel where the Red Baron who was a famous German fighter pilot (80 victories) was shot down over the valley of the Somme. 

We left the Western Front and headed for Epernay along the Motorway with tolls quite costly!

We stayed in a small town 5 mins from Epernay called Dizy at Hotel Grains de L'Argent. Feet up for a few hours then into Epernay to find most restaurants closed on a Monday or full. 

Dined at La Cave á Champagne.