Battlefields – 18 – 21 September 2015
Here is a brief review of the Battlefields Trip from which I have just returned. There were 9 of us, 8 women and one man plus the Tour Manager, Steve Hookings. This is the smallest group I have travelled with and it was a great experience. This was Steve’s first Just You experience as a Tour Manager and he really excelled. Steve’s expertise in Battlefields is extraordinary and he works at Royal Artillery Museum. Because of his passion and expertise, we were able to see and experience more on this short trip.
Day 1 – Friday 18 September
Train was on time and it was a pleasant journey. This was my first time on Euro Star and I enjoyed the experience. Being a very small group, we had a chance to get to know everyone apart from Jim who had been upgraded. We arrived at the hotel, Novotel, at around 14:00. Check-in was very quick – about 5 minutes. After settling in, we all set out at 15:00 and walked to the Square in Lille. Steve pointed out things of interest and also showed us some eating places. We also visited the Cathedral. The weather was dry when we set out, but it soon started raining. The rain shower did not last though it kept on raining on and off throughout the evening. The group separated for a while. I did not have a wish to wander any more so went and had a drink with Steve and we were then joined by a couple of others. We walked back to the hotel and had some free time before meeting for the welcome drink at 6.30 p.m. Everyone apart from Jim, Steve and I went out for dinner. Three of us decided to dine in the hotel.
Day 2 – Saturday 19 September
We set out at 10:00 a.m. after a leisurely breakfast. First stop was Talbot House where we first visited the museum followed by visiting Talbot House. Cup of tea or coffee is offered by volunteers for those who wish to have a drink. It was a fascinating house – I did not go up to the last floor where the chapel was as the steps were a bit steep and there were quite a few people though I did get a chance to see what the Chapel looked like at the Flanders Field Museum. After lunch in Poperinge, we headed to Ypres Salient and then Tyne Cot Cemetery. On the way we made a stop at the Essex Farm Cemetery where we paid respect to the grave of 15 year old Valentine Sturdwick. We also saw the West Riding Monument and made a further brief stop at the ‘Brooding Soldier’ memorial. This is the memorial to the Canadian soldiers who fell victim to the first gas attack. After visiting Tyne Cot Cemetery, Steve took us to Hooge Museum and Crater. He wanted to take us to see the original British Trenches behind another museum, but the road was closed due to a cycle race. For price of €1 you could enter the site where Hooge crater, now filled with water, is and there is also a display of remnants of empty shell cases, gas cylinders, shrapnel, rolls of unused barbed wire, etc and you can also view the trenches. The entry to the museum was €5 and it was worth every cent. A very interesting museum indeed. We then went to Ypres where we had a short walking tour. A band playing in the square was a delight. We all went to a pub/restaurant for early dinner before walking to the Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony. This was a moving occasion. We got back to the hotel at about 10:30 p.m.
Day 3 – 20 September
Today was an early start at 08:00. The first visit was to Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park on the site of Somme Battlefield. I found this visit very moving. Just thinking about all the young men buried under the fields and trenches made me very sad. The Canadians have kept the site in very good condition and despite the horrible events that occurred years ago, it is a very peaceful place. The next stop was at Thiepval Anglo-French Memorial, the largest British Memorial in the world. We made a brief stop at the Ulster Tower for refreshments. Steve took us on a short walk to the fields to view a German machine gun dug-out. You could see what a good view the machine gunner had. Three of us, including Steve walked along the edge of a field to see if we could find anything – I found a very small piece of German green bottle, Stella found a couple of small shrapnel pieces and you would never guess what I found next?! I found a very clean unexploded grenade. Steve, being an expert was able to tell that the pin was still there. The grenade was taken by Steve to be placed safely with other unexploded war finds to be disposed of safely by the French Army. Steve said this was the best find he has seen so far. We then visited Vimy Ridge and the tunnels. After that Steve took us to see The Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle. The crater was formed on 1 July 1916 when several mines, meant to destroy parts of the German front line and create huge craters, were blown. The men who leapt out of their positions at 7.30 a.m. had no idea they were going towards certain death. This mine crater is 91 metres in diameter and 21 metres in depth. One has to see it to believe this. The crater is the property of Richard Dunning, an Englishman who bought it in 1978 to preserve it. I felt very privileges to have had a chance to see this crater and the Memorial. We returned to the hotel just before 6.00 p.m. and had farewell dinner at 07:30 p.m.
Day 4 – 21 September
We left the hotel at 09:00 a.m. and travelled to Ypres to visit the In Flanders Field Museum. A few of us climbed to the bell tower to see the wonderful views. Again, I found the museum very interesting though one would have to spend a lot of time to see everything in detail. After the viewing, we had free time for shopping and sightseeing before meeting up for lunch at 13:00 at the same place where we had dinner on the second day as food was very good there. We left Ypres at 14:30 and the driver dropped us at the train station where we had a bit of a wait for the train as we arrived early. The train was on time and we arrived at St Pancras just after 18:00.
The hotel was in a good location, rooms comfortable and clean. Our farewell dinner was a two course set meal - I had omelette, chips and salad and the rest had chicken, chips and salad. Dessert was Apple Pie and cream - the Apple Pie was delicious. You were given one small bottle of water everyday. I also purchased two 2 litre bottles of Avian water from the small supermarket near the hotel. Could not believe how cheap it was compared to UK prices!
This was a very moving and interesting tour with a great group of people and amazing Tour Manager, Steve. Just You should consider using Steve if they ever plan to do more Battlefields Tours as he has an extensive knowledge. We were also very lucky with the weather, especially on Sunday when it was really hot and sunny - a beautiful day to visit Somme Battlefields.
With best wishes
Jaya
