irishface;

It is an amazing website! When we were writing Granddad's obituary in Feb, we used the website to verify dates, etc. Did you dad go to any of the reunions that the 303rd had? We went to the reunions in 2000 (San Diego), 2006 (San Antonio), and 2007 (Washington DC) with Granddad.

Some of the stories that I heard in person were amazing: bailing out of a plane, parachute not opening, and living to tell about it!

rick_k;

In my experience, there are always too many things to see in any one trip! Even though there isn't much left at Deenethorpe, it would be a priority if I were in your shoes. It's quite a feeling to be in the exact spot where someone was stationed.

Assuming you end up with just one week and you do go to Deenethorpe and Normandy, I think that leaves you just 2 days in London.

You could spend one day in the Westminter Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Cabinet War Rooms, London Eye area.

And then do something completely different for the other day -- Tower of London, see a show, Covent Garden, etc.

Enjoy!

Based on what I have seen here and some other email correspondence I have had with some "locals" near Deenthorpe, I am considering the following "Agenda". I will definitely extend the stay!

LONDON - So much to see & do; Have to sort this out, but we should be able to be flexible once we actually get there. I am reviewing travel books!

Deenthorpe - Day trip; visit with some locals, see the airfield, memorial and church

Duxford/(Cambrige?) - Imperial War Museum; consider air show on 12 or 13 July. Anyone have information about the quality of this airshow? The airbase in my hometown (near Omaha) has an airshow every year. I have seen LOTS of AMERICAN WWII warbirds fly(P-51, P-47, AT-6, B-17, B-25, B-24, F4U, P-38) and have seen a British Spitfire. I have not seen any British bombers or a Mosquito. I am questioning if the airshow would be much different from what I am used to here...

Normandy - About 2 days to see the invasion beaches and cemeteries.

Any suggestions as to where to stay at any of these places would be appreciated. I will search other posts.

This is what's planned for the May sir show at Duxford:
http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/conEvent.2367

While I haven't used either of these companies, (I used Leger, but that was 5 days) you might find something on their websites that is of interest:
http://www.d-daytours.com/index.html

http://www.drttours.co.uk/Pages/normtour.html

Thanks all for information!

After working to arrange a trip, my work has informed me that project deadlines and manpower requirements will prevent me from taking a trip this summer, (especially in the July-August time frame I was planning)

I will keep this information and plan for (hopefully) 1 year from now...

I'm so sorry you're not going to be able to go this summer.

Hopefully next summer will be smoother at your work...

Rick-k,
I'm also hoping you can make this trip next summer.

The complexity of your trip might make it worth the wait, if you do keep digging into things between now and then.

I am not sure how you would save money by going on an organized tour with a bus and guide. I would encourage you to follow your instincts and travel independently.

I am sorry that this looked for trip will not happen and hope that it will go more smoothly next year.

Trying to resurrect this trip for July 09:
London
Normandy Beaches
Duxford - Airshow & American Air Museum
Madingly Cemetery
Deenethorpe

I have a local contact near Deenethorpe.

** Need information regarding staying near Duxford and best plans to travel to Normandy. It looks like the ferry might be a good option, but I have tendencies toward motion sickness that make the train attractive. It looks to me like travelling via ferry is best because it gets you to Caen vs having a long circuitous route to get to beaches.

Opinions and recommendations anyone?

RK

Rick:
Your best bet for staying near Duxford would be to book in Cambridge. There are any number of chain hotels as well as private hotels which may have more charm. We've stayed at the Lensfield Hotel and found it comfortable and the staff acommodating. There is a shuttle bus from the Cambridge train station to Duxford. The hop on/hop off tour of Cambridge will take you out to Madingley -- an incredible experience -- and will also give you a good view of this charming city. Your daughters will enjoy poking around the shops and the city market and strolling the banks of the Cam River, and possibly punting on the Cam, a Cambridge tradition. Try to catch evensong at Kings College Chapel and visit any of the colleges that are open for touring. The architecture, history and gardens are fascinating.