Eternal Refuge

Well this is the last lot until next week .... honest.

For years, while I lived in Essex, I used to go and meet up with friends at The Field of Remembrance.  Mum came with me a couple of times.  The 2 I used to meet were veterans from WWII who were in the same regiment as one of my Grandfather's and we met the first year I was at college.  Between Novembers we used to write to each other.  One, Ted had actually landed on D-Day itsefl, whereas Len landed on D-Day +2.  The last year I met up with them (about 4 years before they both died) I was so honoured as Ted gave me the Sweetheart brooch that he had given to his wife at the time.














The Northamptonshire Regiment









The Home Guard





The Coldstream Guards

And so the trip is coming to an end.


On our way to the final stop of the trip we visited Brandhoek New Military Cemetery ... this was the location of the only double VC of WWI ... Noel Chavass who had already received the MC. He is also, it should be noted, a member of the Medical Corps.








And, from there it was our final trip to "Wipers" ... or, more technically Ypres. I have been a few times, but it was good to have a wander round with friends, and then atend the Last Post, which has been played every night since 1928, other then during WWII.

We walked along the Ramparts (as it was an old town, totally rebuilt as it was before 1914) to one of the cemeteries ... probably one of the prettiest locations ever.

Then we split up for tea (I had a snack with me) and then met up again at The Menin Gate ... although much of it is being restored the central arch is re-open now. However I couldn't get to see Claire's great-grandfather's name that is on one of the walls, as a soldier with no known grave.














The Cloth Hall



One of the early Cemetery signs











Remembering the dead of India

The Menin Gate



Getting ready for the Last Post

On the morning of day one we went to The Lion's Mound ....









Thos steps, all 244 of them, are steep

Looking down on the battlefield

... and up at the lion













Mont Saint Jean Farmhouse - Wellington's field hospital


The circular building was called the Panorama ... amazing, as you can see -


The sunken road at Ohain

The Haie de la Sainte Farm

The Prince of Orange and his suite

Hougoument Farm burning

Belle Alliance Farm at Plancenoit

Napoleon at the Head of his staff



And, of course, there was a museum -






Belonging to Napoleon







Remembering the losses ... Wellngton said after the battle -
        "Believe me, nothing except a battle lost can be half so melencholy as a battle won"

Had a great time yesterday - I hope to get some photos up in a minute. However, as ever, I took loads, and as I am at work this afternoon it will be a bit of a rush. One thing we were stunned to see were the amount of flowers and insects around ... and in fact we saw some Magnolia plants in bud. It was warm - and no wonder nature can't work out if it's Spring or Autumn.

Anyway, a great day.

As I said, work later, then as ever no computer tomorrow, but then I am off again on my travels. 5 days this time - to Belgium. It is my annual Battlefields holiday ... this time with a difference. We are in one general area, and going to look at The Battle of Waterloo, WWI & WWII. So a different way of seeing history.

So because of that ...




7 – World Space Week: October 4-10 is World Space Week. How does the exploration of space benefit society? Do you think the money spent on space exploration could be better spent on the myriad problems here on Earth?
I suppose however much is spent in one location, another area will always be lacking, sadly. I think the one advantage of Space research is that new techniques are being discovered, that then go on to be used in other situations on planet Earth

8 – International Podiatry Day: Do you try to reguarly take care of your feet, or do you tend to neglect them until something crops up -- dry, cracked heels, ingrown toenails, blisters, corns, etc.? Have you ever been to a podiatrist (or chiropodist depending on where you live)? Do you get pedicures regularly?
Never been to pne ... often have dried skin, but that is just because I am not one to "pamper"

9 – Canadian Thanksgiving Day: Canadian Thanksgiving is associated with the European tradition of harvest festivals. Does your country celebrate the yearly harvest with a festival or other form of commemoration?
Most, if not all, Churches have Harvest services ... and nowadays the congregations are asked to bring food that goes to homeless/food-banks etc.

10 – Shift10 Day: SHIFT10 Day was created to encourage shoppers to shift 10% of their spending into their local economies to support local businesses, farmers' markets, and other alternatives to big box stores. Do you try to shop locally as much as possible or do the ease and convenience of big box stores and online juggernauts like Amazon win out more often than not?
I shop locally, but it is a supermarket.
For other things, I like to buy in person as nice to see what I am buying ... but also like eBay (as it's often cheaper!).
Pressies etc, I do like to buy from Etsy, Craft Markets etc

11 – International Post Card Week: Did you ever trade or collect postcards? When was the last time you received one? When was the last time you sent a post card to someone?
Whenever I am away I send a card to one of my Aunts (she has every card she has ever received.) A couple of years ago I sent her one from the island of Jersey, and she told me it was very similar to the one Mum had sent her on their honeymoon 70 years previously! I also send one to my friend Christine. Brenda has occasionally sent me a card

12 – World Sight Day: How good is your eyesight? When did you last have an eye exam? Would you ever consider lasik surgery to improve your vision?
I am colourblind
I am very short-sighted, and have worn glasses since the age of 9
In 1988 I had a torn and detached retina ... plus surgery, which has left me with distorted vision in that eye. Sadly, now, the retina is slowly atrophying ... I have only about 50% vision in that eye now.
So, yes, I have my eyes checked at least once a year.

13 – Train Your Brain Day: Do you do any exercises aimed at (or claiming to) help keep your brain sharp and improve your memory?
I love crosswords, number puzzles, jigsaws, etc ... all of which are meant to keep the brain ticking over.


Right, let's get editing photos ... hope to be back soonish x

The reason that I went to London that particular weekend was because I wanted to go the the cenotaph service.  Sadly the Queen had to pull out at the last moment, but other than that it was a special morning -





HRH Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, HRH Catherine Duchess of Cambridge & HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex

Commander Tim Laurence, Duke & Duchess of Gloucester

HRH Duke of Kent & Princess Alexandra




The Parade after the service
















I love the poppy blankets on the Chelsea Pensioners

And, the following day I returned to see the wreaths

I have actually just re-watched the TV series of ANZACs, so it has certainly been a day of remembrance for me today.  My grandfathher fouught in the same areas (except for Gallipoli), and ironically my other Grandfather's best friend from the mid 20's, untill he died in 1970 lost a leg at Gallipoli.

So, yes I have made ANZAC biscuits (and this year as I am not at work I get to eat them all myself!!)

Here are a few photos I took in 2018 on The Western Front - at Tyne Cott Cemetery, and Caterpiller Valley Cemetery.



( Take a moment, remember )



They shall grow not old. as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary, not the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them

( And so the cemeteries continue )

As part of the trip we went to a lot of museums, including Hooge Crater Museum.  Hard to realise how much these show of everyday life.  Every year to this day, farmers still dig up live incendury, and bodies, in field they have used every year since 1919.
( Looking )


The Christmas Truce - famous, for the football match that took place ... and we went to it's location.



( Easier for me to stand in these trenches, than for Granddad 101 years ago )


This is where Granddad spent much of the battle of Passchendale

I am back!

Hot and exhausted from an amazing week in Italy. Yes, I will post some photos, but thought I ought to catch up with the long overdue WWI pictures. I shall actually post them in the reverse order of the trip, as that's the way by pictures are loaded and I am too lazy (or too busy) to reverse them!)

This is the end of the trip - Thiepville memorialle, Beaumont Hamel, the Lochnagar Crater and the Ulster Tower (where North & South Ireland fought together)

Warning - it is picture heavy! ....( Thiepville, etc, clicky here )

More to come

Work is great, but still only doing half days as I am shattered, although I know that the furniture moving is both stressing and tiring me. Ended up sleeping for an hour this afternoon.

I haven't forgotten you all, just needing to be careful about my energy levels, with all the furniture moving on Saturday and Tuesday.

So will catch up .... I promise.

However, I just wanted to share this video. Great to see war heroes being honoured, especially our 4 (3) legged soldiers.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them