Vimy Memorial Day 2022 - Vimy 105

Photo taken from Canadian Veterans website

After a few years where the commemoration has been cancelled for covid-19  and resulting rules and regulations have barred us from going I am hoping that 2022 sees some form of normality.

In an earlier post I suggested I might invite friends and fellow riders from Old SOCS and the Meldrews along on the run. I posted on the Meldrews FB page to see if there are any takers. A day trip to France? What could be better than a lunch somewhere (not McDonalds by the Lens football ground! Again!) and then down to take part in the ceremony?  

I also thought my brother Neill, might like to come, but as it happens, Arsenal are at home that Saturday and as we are are Gold Season Ticket holders I expect he will go there instead. I need to put my ticket on the ticket exchange system.

This year April 9th is a Saturday.  I have emailed the Canadian Government Veterans agency to see if they know if the commemorations in France will take place.

Then to check channel crossing fares.

First up. The Shuttle who are taking the piss with a trip fare of £104 for bike and rider! 

So to the ferry companies. 

DFDS oddly had April 9th and 10th blanked on the Dunkerque route and the 9th to Calais is okay but can't come back!

So to P&O. Success. Both ways are available. I made the booking for £34.50.

It's a little later than I usually go across for this even but as it starts at 3pm local time there is still plenty of time to travel around 80 miles.  I will of course ensure that Vera has a full tank of petrol before venturing across the Channel into bandit country.

Have the route all planned out although after all these years I should know it off by heart.  

From MyRouteApp

More info:  https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/vimy