Is it really the penultimate day of cycling? I don’t want this to be over, it is far too much fun and I am learning so much about the sacrifices that were made in the two world wars and humbled by the people around me.
We were warned about a mile incline up to Vimy Ridge – the Canadian memorial on the Western Front, we must have been getting used to hills as we arrive before we know it. The route had taken us through the woods of the Somme and passed by areas that still had quite well defined trenches.
Vimy Ridge is quite possibly one of the most striking memorials I have ever seen, the bright white stone set against the bright blue background. We had another ceremony here and again our musicians did a wonderful job, 3 wreaths were laid with the wreath layers climbing a dozen steps to lay them. We then all had some time to reflect on the battle that went on here and a photo opportunity with the boys in uniform!
We followed the Western Front to Fromelles riding through Lens and Loos, the H4H team had a small wreath laying ceremony at Fromelles cemetery – not yet officially open this is the newest cemetery where work has been carried out to painstakingly identify remains so they can finally have a resting place.
The afternoon took us into Belguim – we knew we here when the roads turned from wonderful smooth things to pot holed nasties not dissimilar to ours in the UK!
As we headed down into Ypres Iain got a puncture and we quickly had a support crew on hand to change it. And a good photo opportunity!
We arrived in Ypres late afternoon and were told to stay on the cycle paths - many riders were being told off by the police for not doing so! Out hotel tonight was great – 6 in a room but surprisingly comfortable!
This evening was set to be a moving ceremony – the most famous memorial of them all the Menin Gate. Our ceremonial team would take centre stage (although no one is allowed to play the Last Post here apart from the town’s fireman). And our Staff Sergeant did us all proud and bellowed the words “They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” We had heard these words every day on this journey, such a powerful poem that is as strong the last time you hear it as the first. I think many shed a tear here – the emotion of the week and the physical tiredness getting to us.
A lot of people stayed in the pub tonight but I was tired and a 5am wake- up call plus beer can never be good. I found out tonight that I had done my fundraising target and was very moved by the generosity of people that only know who I am because of Tim.
Oh and talking of tiredness getting to us, I asked our bugler (who is decorated from Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq) if playing at the Menin Gate was the scariest thing he has ever done. No was the simple answer....
We were warned about a mile incline up to Vimy Ridge – the Canadian memorial on the Western Front, we must have been getting used to hills as we arrive before we know it. The route had taken us through the woods of the Somme and passed by areas that still had quite well defined trenches.
Vimy Ridge is quite possibly one of the most striking memorials I have ever seen, the bright white stone set against the bright blue background. We had another ceremony here and again our musicians did a wonderful job, 3 wreaths were laid with the wreath layers climbing a dozen steps to lay them. We then all had some time to reflect on the battle that went on here and a photo opportunity with the boys in uniform!
We followed the Western Front to Fromelles riding through Lens and Loos, the H4H team had a small wreath laying ceremony at Fromelles cemetery – not yet officially open this is the newest cemetery where work has been carried out to painstakingly identify remains so they can finally have a resting place.
The afternoon took us into Belguim – we knew we here when the roads turned from wonderful smooth things to pot holed nasties not dissimilar to ours in the UK!
As we headed down into Ypres Iain got a puncture and we quickly had a support crew on hand to change it. And a good photo opportunity!
We arrived in Ypres late afternoon and were told to stay on the cycle paths - many riders were being told off by the police for not doing so! Out hotel tonight was great – 6 in a room but surprisingly comfortable!
This evening was set to be a moving ceremony – the most famous memorial of them all the Menin Gate. Our ceremonial team would take centre stage (although no one is allowed to play the Last Post here apart from the town’s fireman). And our Staff Sergeant did us all proud and bellowed the words “They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” We had heard these words every day on this journey, such a powerful poem that is as strong the last time you hear it as the first. I think many shed a tear here – the emotion of the week and the physical tiredness getting to us.
A lot of people stayed in the pub tonight but I was tired and a 5am wake- up call plus beer can never be good. I found out tonight that I had done my fundraising target and was very moved by the generosity of people that only know who I am because of Tim.
Oh and talking of tiredness getting to us, I asked our bugler (who is decorated from Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq) if playing at the Menin Gate was the scariest thing he has ever done. No was the simple answer....
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