Friday was a long day of travelling. The coach journey from Birmingham to Dover  started in style with a Bucks Fizz breakfast provided by our tour committee!

We reached Dover in plenty of time and were pleased to be able to stretch our legs on the ferry and watch the white cliffs of Dover as we left. The journey was just long enough to get some lunch before we were arrived in Calais.

As our coach left the port, we saw reminders of conflicts past and present: the barbed wire topped fences along the road and the associated ‘Calais Jungle’ shanty town, then road signs pointing to towns and villages involved in the World Wars.

After many hours on the coach, we eventually arrived at our hotel near Auxerre, and many tired singers made their way to bed.

Up bright and early on Saturday morning for breakfast and a rehearsal for the concert in St Julien du Sault tonight. It’s all go!