Thursday 27th August 2020 – Alongide at Grimsby

What a great day!

Our good mate Frank from the Poachers came and picked us up from the marina and took us out for the day to see the local sights.

First stop was the Armed Forces Gate at Cleethorpes. This memorial was centre stage of the sea front overlooking the vast sandy beach and out to sea. We liked the location as although busy with holiday makers and families enjoying a great day out with donkey rides and all the typical kiosks, funfair etc the local people were very respectful and there were visitors falling silent for a few moments to remember those who gave their all, which is what it is all about.

Within close proximity were RN memorial plaques and tributes.

Next was the RAF memorial, another perfectly placed statue of a young airman looking out to sea, this had undisturbed wreaths and crosses laid and was situated within a square of beautifully kept garden with splendid topiary.

Then we walked further up the slope to a lovely spot for the Poachers’ newly installed memorial bench. Dennis who has now sadly passed away started fund raising for a Poacher’s tribute and Frank saw the project through to completion. Again, very tastefully thought out and executed, it’s a lovely place to sit and remember the best of pals.

We understand that other Regiments are now considering placing benches along this part of the seafront and it is likely to become a joint services memorial garden – very fitting.

The local community have done all the services proud. `Talavera’ crew including Artie and our mascot, Poacher Bear, paid our respects.

We called at the ‘Blighty’ for coffee, formerly the town hall now a joint services drop in centre, with intricate marquetry flooring and very ornate doorways and high ceilings, what a fabulous building.

As we were crossing the main road we saw a newly wed couple attempting to cross over in the opposite direction to have their photos taken on the sea front with their young bridesmaid. The bride holding onto her veil for dear life in the strong breeze looked gorgeous, but it was strange to see a young couple without a throng of wedding guests to support them, probably due to Covid. We did our best to make up for their lack of guests and communicated our congratulations across to them in true Poacher style.

So from there we dropped Artie back to the boat and then Frank drove us over to Tetney Marshes at the mouth of the Humber. This was very beautiful, flat and different to the terrain we are use to. It was great to see kids flying kites and enjoying the open spaces.

We took a scenic route over to RAF Coates Airfield and we enjoyed looking out of the car windows and across the arable farmland. One of the roundabouts had three large wooden carvings of owls which was different in a very good way.

Going past Beechcomers there was a huge area of holiday homes, but this in itself was interesting to drive past as each one, although on the same sized plot, was totally different in design, fabrication and general decor. It was quite incredible what some owners had done to their cherished retreats.

Then to a traditional pub for lunch – good choice Frank cheers, and thank you so much for showing us around the area and giving us such a memorable day out to treasure.