The second day brought Plynkes and Sickly to St. Malo, the fabled City of the Corsairs. They rented a quaint local fishing boat and made a trip around the bay, posing as the famous ornithologists Spit and Swallow, while carefully making notes of the town's defences:
Ah, some sorta fort, it would appear. This doesn't look good.
*
This picture couldn't be resisted, though it wasn't strictly within the remit of their mission. It's just that this one never stops being funny. And that French fellow thinks he looks so dignified!
*
A rather splendid tower, don't you think? Alas, it is no doubt crammed with scheming Frenchmen, all wishing harm to Albion!
*
Yet another fort, a floating one this time. Is there no end to their perfidy?
*
A Martello Tower, it would seem. Or possibly some kind of Vauban-ish affair. You know, Plynkes really ought to pay more attention at those briefings...
*
Another view of the same, this time showing some battle damage, done by the punt gun on Plynkes and Sickly's boat. There was a challenge from one of the sentries, some hasty and quickly regretted words about Patrick Viera, and then a brief action, it must unfortunately be reported. Our heroes fled the scene, but had the satisfaction of knocking the Frenchman's hat off. Score one to King George!
*
L'ile de Cézembre. Supposedly the spot where the US Army first used Napalm in anger (I ain't saying that's a fact, it's just what I heard). When Plynkes travelled there in his youth during the peace, one could wander at will among the battered and broken German bunkers and emplacements, and gather memorabilia to sell to American tourists. Nowadays visitors are restricted to the restaurant and the beach, so Plynkes and Sickly didn't bother to land there.
*
With the worrying intelligence about the new French defences gathered, Plynkes and Sickly proceeded to their next destination.
***
Like a drum my heart was beating,
And your kiss was sweet as wine.
But the joys of love are fleeting
For Pierrot and Columbine.
***
No comments:
Post a Comment