Saturday 16th April

Woke up to a clear day - been so lucky with the weather. It was a very emotional day for me as Terzo took us to the battlefields where Dad and his men performed in extraordinary conditions. The mountain and valleys would have been difficult having to 'leopard crawl' up a steep incline to deal with Germans who had bunkered down at the top and literally watched the Allies crawling up the mountain. We met a woman in the spot close to the battle site and she told us that her husband had been a boy of 9, and he witnessed the battle, plus all the soldiers who died/injured. Terzo told us he was 12 at the time, but his family had been moved into the mountains, when it was evident what was going to happen. Typical 12 year old said it was like watching a fireworks display. He said he observed plenty at that time - his father used to supply the german soldiers with watered down wine!! A British ammo box (303 bullets) has been found all these years later and will go to the museum.
Saw battle ground from 2 sides and bunkers, which now have housing built ontop.
A story was related about a german soldier on his own sat in a 'lookout' and waited for the Canadian soldiers to 'stop for tea' and let rip with a machine gun and killed 75, but he did not last too much longer as he was dispensed with a flame thrower!!
We had a drive down G R Norton via and were taking photos and a woman came up to see what was happening, as she lived in the street and was so proud to live there and ran home to bring me a bunch of flowers - they started me!! Much hugging etc. Tulips which I haven't seen before.
So many came up and shook me by the hand and hugged me, said thank you to Capt Norton for their liberation. The whole town know we were there quite amazing.
In the afternoon we attended the Council meeting, which normally has an attendance of 5 to 6 people, but this day, 14 the whole council were there to welcome us.
I gave a talk on our family and presented a copy of Dad's citation, which had been sent from London. They were extremely grateful to have this for their museum. Also an emotional time as they are all so grateful we had come to celebrate with them. I was presented with a huge plague in the form of a wall hanging with Dad's picture on it done by a local sculpture artiste.
There was an interpruter for the speeches, and at the last moment decided not to try and read my thanks, in Italian!! Mariuccia you were right - bit difficult and was emotional atthe time too.
The people of Montegridolfo have been exceptional and shown such love and respect for Dad - in their eyes he liberated their town alone,but he had a platoon too. We saw the Commonwealth cemetery and a number of Hampshire regiment soldiers, who were with Dad are there - we were lucky he came home. Canadian lost so many. That night we had a quiet dinner with Terzo and Libera, having had a lunch with members of the council .

Friday 15th April

This morning we tried filling blog, but had hassles -must be up in the mountains!!
Terzo and Tiziano arrived spot on time to fetch us to take us to Montegridolfo. The trip was a very pretty drive up mountain and down dale - green and lush. Hotel Viviana is an old castle - heigh ceilings, plenty of rooms - could thoroughly lost. Staircases going up and down and every which way - real castle. In fact we were asked if we had encountered the ghosts!! We were shown around the museum - we had a private showing while a tour party was kept out! Dad is evident everywhere in photos and even on the scenic panarama. Bit emotional for me. The mayor arrived to meet us and tell us that dinner that night was on the house - council paid!