Just back from a superb visit to the Western Front, with great company and a brilliant Tour Manager, Gareth. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and managed to keep us all on time with a full programme that still allowed enough time at each stop. The first day was spent in the Ypres area starting at Talbot House in Poperinge then visiting Commonwealth cemeteries at Essex Farm and Tyne Cot and the very different German war cemetery at Langemark. After an evening meal in Ypres we ended a very full day attending the vey moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.
The second day started in the Somme area with a visit to the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park where the trench lines are still visible in contrast to the restored surrounding countryside. It includes two separate cemeteries and memorials to the Newfoundland and Highland Regiments. This was followed by a visit to the imposing Thiepval Memorial. In the afternoon we visited the restored section of trenches and part of an original tunnel at Vimy Ridge before calling at the magnificent Canada Memorial in beautiful late afternoon sunshine.
We spent the final morning at the In Flanders Museum at Ypres, where the exhibits are superbly presented to bring the war to life, then back to Lille and the Eurostar.
All in all a truly memorable experience.
