Going to Belgium today, Flanders, based in Ypres.
At the moment in Ljiasenhoek Military Cemetery, the second largest British Military Cemetery on the Western Front with almost 10000 British soldiers, and many German, French Chinese and American. A place I have never been to!
This was a cemetery used for those who died not on the Battlefield, ie where they fell, but from wounds some time later, wounds sustained in action.
This gave it a totally different "feel" to the usual places we visit, because some of the headstones were dated in a few cases 2 or 3 years after the war had ended.
This place also made me think, of the pain I am in, and as hurting it is for me (after all i have my friends around me to help me) I think of how awful it must have been, and the pain must have been for all these men and some women in conditions far from ideal, and so far away from family and friends.
A very impressive place!
Our next stop is Hooge Crater Museum. When we got there my back was hurting so much that I wasn't able to get out the car and have a walk round the Museum. But others told be that it was an excellent experience.
In the car I ate the pack-up which our host the bed-and-breakfast kindly provided for me free of charge each day.
When Mark and gang came back, he discovered that his ignition to his car had been left on, and this had flattened the battery. He and Kathryn had to go and search for and purchase a jump lead, which they soon did, and we were on our way again !
Now into the city of Ypres. Some shopping (a ring bought for Sue, something equally as nice for Charlotte, some Belgian Chocolate), a visit to another museum, a sit in the car for those whose bones hurt!!
We then had a lovely meal in a restaurant on the Market Square, before moving to the Menin Gate to experience the moving ceremony which has taken place every night, with the exception of the Second World War years, since the end of the 1914-18 war.
As moving as ever, this was the 17th the I have experienced it!
Then back to BB - a 90 minute care journey under difficult circumstances, but sadly completed.
Today is Friday - staying local in Peronne and Albert! Again because of pain, stayed in car while the others went to the town's WW1 museum. They really enjoyed it, and got much out of it.
Great excitement on the way from Peronne to Albert - a massive aeroplane passed overhead - a Beluga Airbus - Airbus has a large factory in Albert. Car stopped, cameras out, great photos!
Afternoon spent in Albert, then Hypermarket, evening at le Poppy.
Tomorrow we sta the journey home at 10.00am French time, getting home around 10.00pm British time.
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