guess who got new bikes? No excuses for being unfit now. I've also worked out that I need to use the bike for only 10 weeks to get my money back.  Sweet.

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If there was ever any doubt that I am a hardcore nerd…

Today, I went to a place that I’ve often daydreamed about going to.
I’ve read so much about “ULTRA” and the Enigma Code-breakers, so going
to Bletchley Park - the origin of modern computing - was like a trip
to Geek Mecca.

I got to see the cottage where the very first Enigma code was broken.

I got to see a working replica of a BOMBE code-breaking machine.

I got to see a working version of COLLOSUS.

I got to see both a 3-dial and a 4-dial Enigma machine.

Dude, I walked in the footsteps of giants. I got to spend time in the
gardens where Alan Turing first dreampt up modern computing. If not
for Mr Turing, geeks like me would be forced to spend time in the
sunshine actually speaking to people without the aid of a keyboard.

Today, I paid my dues to the thousands of people who worked at
Bletchley Park during the second world war - arguably, the best weapon
the allies ever had.

http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk

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The beaches around Normandy - Omaha Beach, Juno Beach and Utah Beach.
Visited the Canadian, US and German cemetaries with Heidigirl - very
different places, but all very powerful.

Also… the food was amazing.

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Catching up with pics - here’s some good ones from Epernay in the
Champagne District!!

(Yes, I had a drink or twelve….)

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Around Begium (Ypres).

Commonwealth Cemetaries, French Cemetaries, Peace Memorials, WW1
Plane Flyovers and ANZAC’s buried together. Big day. Ended with some
Belgian beer in a local pub, with a smiling barkeeper. It seems
everybody loves an Aussie!

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Off to the Champagne district tomorrow. Forgive me if I dont blog
right away… much local produce to sample!

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The Mothership and I went out for dinner last night in Amiens. What a
stunning place!

Drove from the Somme through to Flanders - staying at a B&B near Ypres
(now Ieper). Drove via Fromelle and the new Australian War Grave -
first one in 60 years. Absolutly stunning. Fitting tribute, and a
lovely peaceful resting place.

Hard to associate all the death and violence with this lovely peaceful
farming community.

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