Two days getting ready, getting prepared, getting knowledgable, getting questioning, getting packed, getting sorted. Reading some wonderful books on my favourite First World War poet, Wilfred Owen. I have been to visit his grave in France quite a few times, but it is quite away from where we are staying, as he was killed in the last week of the war, when the British Troops had pushed well forward. If you have never read any Wilfred Owen poetry, do so - his observation and comment on war and indeed life itself, is frighteningly real, and very moving.
Also going to visit Dunkirk, and Normandy beaches, for the first time. Went for a coffee and chat with our Churchwarden Jim and his wife Margaret, who had been to one of the major Normandy anniversaries, where they were in such company as the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Ann, and Prince Andrew. They gave me much literature to digest, and places to visit.
So it's Sunday night at sea (Hull-Zeebrugge) Monday in the Dunkirk area, Tuesday around Albert (Somme) Wednesday around Ypres, ending in the so moving ceremony at the Menin Gate, Thursday again round the Somme, Friday on the Normandy beaches, and the Friday night at Sea (Caen-Portsmouth). We are staying near Albert, where we have stayed on every trip. Be aware folks that I am planning to lead another trip next Spring, so let me know if you are interested in joining me.
What am I looking forward to seeing this time? The second world war sites (not really visited these before) - poetry, reading, praying, and writing poetry - photography, taking meaningful and artistic photographs - visiting once again Talbot House (Tubby Clayton, and start of TocH) - and following some of the journeys I made on my first trip 27 years ago, including where my grandfather fought). Key to all this, particularly as I read the headstones, especially those who read "known only unto God" or "for God King and Country" is what did/does God actually make of it all, and what is he saying to me right now!
Today been to the vet again with Oscar - he really isn't very well, (Oscar, not the vet, who is a she) but the vet says he is not in pain, nor is he suffering. The problem is, that although he is eating absolutely everything, including my socks, Sue's Avon order, in fact anything - along with the large amounts of food we are giving him, his stomach is not digesting things at all, and he really is now very thin indeed. But we, along with the vet, have decided that the time for the final visit is not yet, but it won't be far away.
I am pleased many of you are reading, and incredibly enjoying my blogs. Even my sister Catherine rang me last night to say she had read my blog, and enjoyed it - but she did qualify her comments by adding that her husband was away for the night, she couldn't get hold of any of her daughters, and she was bored!!! Oh well, at least she is honest.
Where we are staying has WiFi, so the blogs will continue in France and Belgium, and I will try and capture what I see while it is fresh.
Thanks for reading!
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