Correspondance with Dave & Ann in New Zealand.
Dave & Anne — 2010 trip to France.
Dave & Anne — Moving to Greytown.
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>
Subject:
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:36:32 +1300
G'day John,
Anne, Bib, Sue and I are off on holiday to France and Uk in June -July. Our journey is , Paris for a week, Giverny, Caen and the D-Day Beaches. We then go and find my great Uncle Henry H McGee, at Mont Huan Military Cemetary,near Dieppe. Wondered if you had anything on his civilian life? or any info. All I have from you is Married Frances, killed 1914. We then go find two Millward great uncles, died at Passendale. We stay in the Menin area for a couple of days. Then down to the Alpes for three days and then a fortnight in Mazan, Provence.
I'll have my bike with me so it's Mt Ventoux for me and the delightful sourounding countyside. I'm at present trying to talk George into joining us there for a few days. Back to Paris to dump the car and into London on the train for five days and then Colwyn Bay and fly out of Manchester on the 12th July.
Hope you and Uncle Willy are well, and the rest of the family too. All for now, we are all well
Cheers Dave
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:35:02 GMT
To: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Your recent email
From: Josh Reynolds <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>
Hi Dave,
Sorry for the delay
in replying, I keep putting things off till I have more time to put together a coherent reply then realising that time is passing and having to rush things anyway.
>> We then go and find my great Uncle Henry H McGee, at Mont Huan
>> Military Cemetary,near Dieppe. Wondered if you had anything on his
>> civilian life or any info. All I have from you is Married Frances,
>> killed 1914.
Methinks you are mixing the two great-uncles who dies in the Great War
Henry McGee features on the first Reynolds CD that I sent. He was born in Glasgow, never married, died of wounds on Friday, May 10, 1918, aged 34 and is buried in the Mont Huon Military Cemetery (Grave ref VI. H. 8A).
Herbert Shanks features on the George & Hilda CD. He was born in Manchester, married Frances, was killed in action on Saturday, July 21, 1917, aged 24 and is buried in Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, Pas de Calais (Grave ref I. E. I.).
Herbert and Frances probably had a daughter but I don't know much else.
>> I'll have my bike with me so it's Mt Ventoux for me
If that's what I think it is, you're a braver man than I, Gunga Din.
>> then Colwyn Bay and fly out of Manchester on the 12th July.
I'll keep the dates in mind and see how things are nearer the time.
We are keeping well, thank you. Dad had a uninary tract infection a few weeks ago which played havoc with his mental state for a couple of days till the antibiotics kicked in, but he's been fine since then apart from the slow deterioration in the strength of his legs and sense of balance. But we're still coping with things day to day.
Hope you are all well.
John
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Your recent email
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:45:48 +1300
John, thanks for the info. So, I do have two great uncles in France don't I, I must admit that I 've only had my eyes on all your sent stuff over the years just now so it's all rather hard to fathom. I did do a family tree years ago but rather naively and herbert doesn't even show up!! I can't even in my brain think about it now how herbert fits in. Hopefully by the time I get there he will, already printed out the CWGC details of both G Uncles and Herbert isn't far of our course of travel, that day in fact we head away from the D-Day beaches and head for the Menin-Ypres area (accomadation not fixed yet) Bib ( Elizabeth) is doing all that for us at present and has found that B and B's around Caen is a no go as D-Day every year grows in importance as does ANZAC day here in NZ every year the morning services grow. Anne has been to the Beach's before but I haven't but we both are very interested in the turn of event's of history. I could go on from there but leave it at that for now.
Don't know if I told you already but we have bought 3-5 acres of bare land (144 Cross Line Greytown-try it on Google Earth Street View if you have it) and are we are having a farm type implement shed built on it at present and when we get back will prepare to build a house on it, so all is busy at present as well as just finishing our house off ready to go on the market.
This evening ( in fact for next three days) we are at Bib's, Anne working for three days and me repairing and painting Trish and Brian's roof, they live a walk away from Bib's here in Karori, remember Karori?, remember retreiving my mini after it was stolen!! Be great to catch up with you when and if!!
----cheers Dave
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject:
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 13:40:07 +1200
Everyone, Suzanne couldn't open the "official" Itinerary that Bib has formulated so here's a Dave McGee special for you all to peruse while we operate in far flung fields. Have a nice time everyone.
28th May Dave and Anne
dep Well. NZ 460 1800 Arr Auck 1900
Dep Auck NZ 2 2130 29th Arr Heathrow 1100 ( via LA)
29th Dep HR AF1981 1250 Arr Paris CGD 1505
29th Bib ( arrives from London on Eurostar 1447) Sue (arrives from Perth 1330)
All staying at Hotel Familia, 11, rue des Ecoles, 75005 Paris. (hotelfamilia@wanadoo.fr)
Dave to ride around Paris early a few times before the mad traffic starts then join the ladies for breakfast.
4th June Collect hire car ( PEUGOET A5008 )
5th June Paris- Giverny 80 kms Monet Gardens and house
Giverny-Bayeux-Mosles 197 kms Chambres d'hotes La Fresnee Mosles, Calvados ( catherine@lafresnee.com)
6th June Bayeux-Honfleur 106kms Via D-Day Beaches( on this historic day) andCaen,
Arromanches D-day Museum, Caen Peace Memorial La Cour Sainte Catherine
Honfleur ( coursaintecatherine.com)
7th June Honfleur-Le Mazis 152 kms via St. Maclou La Briere ( ex Wellington College Typhoon pilot Memorial)
Dieppe-Mont Huon Cemetary ( Henry McGee)
Beubny-Red Cross Corner Cemetary ( Herbert Shanks)
Dorette and Aart Onder de Linden (lemazis.com)
8th June Le Mazis-Sainghin en Melantois, Nord ( 184 kms) Via Tyne Cot Memorial ( John Moir )
Lebucquiere Communal Cemetary Extention ( Walter Moir)
Both Millward great Uncles
Menin Gate Ceremony 8pm
Dominique and Nelly Pollet ( perso.wanadoo.fr/dpollet)
9th June Sainghin-en-Melantois - Dijon 500 kms Hotel La Flambee ( laflambee.fr)
10th June Dijon-Montalbert (alps) 392 kms Dave to ride the Tour de France climb of Courchevel 24 kms and maybe over the Italian border
Staying at Sue's friends apartment who live in London at the ski field of Montalbert
12th June Montalbert-Mazan 353 kms Early start for Dave, to climb the Col de la Madeleine 26 kms climb and 20 km drop into La Chambre to be picked up by support crew !!!!!(google earth it, it's a lovely climb)
Mazan,Provence, about 12 kms from the foot of Mt. Ventoux. We have the Gite for a fortnight with a pool, owned by Agnes and Bernard Cezanne, can't tell you the name of the Gite. Dave to climb Ventoux and explore surrounds.
19th June Hannah arrives form Paris to Avignon by train ( Auckland-Kuala Lumpur-Paris--Train)
26th June Mazan-Moulins 426 lms La Maison de Gisele ( www.la-maison-de-gisele.fr)
27th Moulins-Paris 301 kms Hotel Familia for one night, return car next day.
28th return car, Eurostar #9053 at 643pm and arrives in London 806pm
Best Western, The Boltons, 19-21 Penywern Road, Earls Court, London SW5 9TT Phone +44(0)207 373 8900
28th Sue back to Perth 28th at 335 Arrives Perth 29th 526
Ist July Bib Departs London via Singapore 555 arrives Auckland Sat 3rd.
3rd July Anne Dave and Hannah train to Colwyn Bay
12th July Anne and Dave Depart Manchester 855 am Depart London 1545 Arrive LA 1920 Depart LA NZ01 21320 Arrive Auckland 14th July 525 am Arrive Welly 830am
13th July Hannah Departs London via Kuala Lumpur to Auckland Arrives Wellington 18th at 1530
And home again home again gigity gig!!!!
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject: Paris
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 08:29:28 +1200
Pareeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I'm still overwhelmed and in love with this place, including it's people. The four of us arrived on the 29th all in one piece as planned.Weather great for walking around as tourist's at 18c and a bit of rain ( we did 20 kms today Sue has a pedometer on her) Bike still in it's bag down in the storeroom aft of reception awaiting my implementation. Hi Jan and Rog. we are on holiday!!!!! six weeks four in France and two in UK. Bought 3-5 acres of land before xmas and now have the house on the market and will build after we sell and will tell you more when we get back, hope you have had some good sailing.
Hope you are all well
Dave and Anne and Bib and Sue
From: zanne.ot@btinternet.com
To: daveandannem@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Paris
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 22:02:06 +0100
Fabulous!! So lovely to hear you're there safe and are having a ball already :0). And it's nice to think you're just a stretch of water away now!! Lots of love to you all xxxxx
From: zanne.ot@btinternet.com
To: daveandannem@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Paris
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 11:40:25 +0100
Hoping you've got the same beautiful blue sky and hot sunshine as us today xxxxx
On 1 Jun 2010, at 22:19, Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com> wrote:
Heavy rain this afternoon but still got out walking and out on the river. Got 5okms in this morning including up and down the Champs Elysees around the Arc de Triumphe amonst all the traffic, what a blast!!!!!!!! ( and yes I will be Careful!!) Dave
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject: RE: Paris
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 06:47:10 +1200
We are all sittingin our room at 8pm with 29c clear and beautiful and watching Paris go by from our balcony, always interesting!! Have picked up our vehicle and parked it in the hotel garage,what a dag (ie: interesting, clever, sometimes amazing, amusing) driving down the Champs Elyses on the wrong side but HEY, it 's the right side!!! it IS the right side.Got out to the south yesterday but only did about 40kms, just too many traffic lights for enjoyment but on the way back a local roadie caught me and we did a two-up back into the city with conversation at the red lights, I jusy stuck to his back wheel ( you know me Douglas) as we swerved in and out of the traffic,what a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For my cyclist friends again, did the whole tourist route the other day from our hotel,amonst all the traffic,Ile de la Cite,Louis,then the whole Tour last stage circuit,including twice around the Arc, up to rece. the place to pick up our vehicle beyond the Defence sector then a thrash down on the cobbles again and off to the Latin quarter and the narrow streets and around the Pantheon.Had a late dinner up there last night and watched the 'Tower Light Show'.
Onto the open roads tomorrow (in the car), Paris behind, Normandy beach's beckon, then Great Uncles to pay respects to, should be an interesting time, as it all is!!
love ( to my relatives!!) and Cheers
Dave
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject:
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:31:15 +1200
Hi All, in Dijon tonight, rained all day nearly all the way down from the Belgian border. Found our lost relatives from the first war, poppy's laid. Flander's Field's. Attended a sobering service at the Menin Gate, The Last Post and Reveille is played every night of the year to commemorate the loss of all Commonwealth troops. A pipe band from Calgary ( Army) played, hair's on the back of the neck for me!! Normandy beach's, Omaha American Cemetary and British Arromanches Beach visited on D-Day. A huge day for all visitor's to all those beach's on that day. Heading to the Alp's tomorrow, bike out of Douglas's bag again when we get there, hope I haven't drank too much wine to get the legs going.
Cheers for now
Dave and Anne
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject:
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:03:21 +1200
Bonsoir everyone from an iternet cafe in Carpentras, Provence, cant find the full stop on this french board, been at the gite for ten days with mixed weather, have broken my front fork so have hired a bike and using my wheels, climbed La Plagne at 2000 mts in the alps not Courchevel and neither Col Mad, just too difficult as we were staying at high ski field as it was, and you know me and climbing, climbed Ventoux last Sat amonst 2000 Belgians, 2-50 to the top from their start line,wndy,zero vis at the top and 0 degrees but more later, some letters missing on board as well so more from Paris, got all your mails, Hannah arrived ok and enjoying herself, Trish to forward to anyone ive missed,we all are well,cheers
Dave
From: Dave and Anne McGee <daveandannem@hotmail.com>
To: lots, <joshreynolds@tiscali.co.uk>, more
Subject: The Story so Far
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:28:43 +1200
Hello everyone,this is especially for Kev at Commercial as he hates me reporting what a horrible time we are having ON HOLIDAY!!!! Anyway hope your back is recovering ok Kev. We are in London now for five days and we have just had a nice dinner over in Knightsbridge with friends (and only in the best area of course!!) France has come and gone, but an enjoyable time was had by all. The stay in the Alps was a slight fizzer as I decided not to climb Courchevel or The Col del la Madelaine because as as we went thru the valley the road didnt look too good and there was a rather long tunnel to negotiate and then I realised the climb up to our accommodation was up an eight km climb so I decided that La Plagne next door to Montalbert would be my objective which I did on a fine day, 21 switchbacks and about 18 km climb up to La Plagne at 1800 mts and to a newer ski field just above called Aime 2000 (at 2000 mts) Some messy road surface for the last couple of kms but what a great view !!! Enjoyed the drop back down but realised on the way that going up again was going to be a bit of a gamble so after the first few switchbacks to Montalbert I flagged a ute down and I'm afraid took the easy way back up.
So, after that it was down to Mazan in Provence at the foot of Mt Ventoux. I did ashort ride over to Bedoin to have a look but just before the town I had a what I thought was a broken spoke but to my horror the front right fork blade had snapped!!! I managed to limp back to Mazan and then spent a few days finding out about replacing it but it was going to take too long so decided to hire a bike in Mazan, put my wheels and saddle on and away I went.It was a fairly heavy Gitane but did the job. My first time up Mt Ventoux was amongst 2000 Belgians and lots of other nationals,all very freindly and apart from the weather I enjoyed the ride but was frozen at the top, in fact just beyond Chalet Renard the Gendarmes tried to stop the accent by everyone but I'm afraid the numbers were against them and the group I was with enmasse decided it wasn't going to happen and we all got going again!! So the top WAS HORRIBLE, blowing a gale and freezing and no visibility, so it was into the souvenir shop, bought my road side miniture and it was on with the wet weather top and down the mountain to warmer climes. The second time up four days later was the opposite, the support team came up and enjoyed the views, photos,and the moment.It was a memorable day, finally paid respects to "Mr Tom" and the top was a very busy place on a very nice day.
We had a two day drive back to Paris staying in Moulins, a very interesting old town which we nothing about but turned out to be a cracker,and, the B and B had a great pool!!!( it was 38 that day!!) An afternoon and most of the next day in Paris to show Hannah around the city in 36 plus and to drop off the car. Sue flew out back to Perth and we caught the evening Eurostar to St Pancras, the usual impressive speed travel between the two cities. Must say everything we saw in France was interesting especially the amazing hill top towns and for me my first encounter with Roman ruins in Vaison la Romaine, have to do some reading on them sometime!! and the red town of Roussillon was quite breathtaking.
So, we travel to North Wales and family on Saturday and looking forward to seeing them all as they are to see us.
Thanks for all your mails, Nutella Crepes rule!! drank a lot of good wine, and catch you all whenever!!!!!
cheers Dave
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2010 16:30:20 +1300
From: Dave and Anne McGee
To: lots, , more
Subject: Moving
Hello everyone, the McGee's are on the move AGAIN!! New address from today is ------144 Cross Line, RD1 Greytown,Wairarapa 5794
We are right now about to exit and lock the door for the last time, all clean and neat, we will check e-mails at the library as no land line as yet, Anne's phone is 027 2936764 and mine is 021 02349805. If you didn't know, we bought 3.5 acres five kms out of town just before last Christmas and will build a "Grand Design" in the not too distant future, and the only way to do that is live in a caravan and store all our stuff in the big shed-----and that is what we are doing!! so here's to happy days and a long hot summer
Dave and Anne