On the Road Again!

The day of the commemorations started early for three of the Ferry Crew. They had tickets to the Thiepval event and needed to be away about 5am for the park and ride by Albert Airport.   This made the decision to go to the Ulster Tower for the majority of us seem the best option. We could have breakfast in the hotel and then walk over to the station and get the train to Albert, where our shuttle buses would be waiting. No need for the park and ride. It would be less hassle for men but we had Claire and Elaine Constable in our team.  Ladies are less likely to be enamored changing in a field. As it was We got our tickets and the 0837 train to Albert.  Strangely there wasn't another train until 1137 and that was cutting it fine to get the shuttles as they finished at 1200. We had a few hours to kill before the first bus and there was plenty to do with displays etc. Plus the famous gilded tower that acted as a target for the German gunners and as a...

It rained. It was sunny. But it was a great day at the Ulster Tower for the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Some pictures.

Two days to go until we start the commemorations for the Battle of the Somme. The 1st July is in the history books as the worst day's casualties for the British Army. We are lucky to have tickets to attend the commemoration at the Ulster Tower. Even luckier that there is a train to the Shuttle buses from Amiens where we stay in the same hotel each year. This year Claire is coming.  I write this as I head home after work.  So far I have fitted the luggage on the bike, but it is all empty. Packing. We have to be smartly dressed and so jeans and bike gear won't do. So we have to pack stuff that means we won't stand out too much from the crowd.  Bikes are generally not good for this! So let's see how it goes?

I had an email today from the Somme Association, the organisation that is organizing the commemoration at the Ulster Tower, to say that our last minute application had been successful. We had sent our details inc passport numbers to them and they have sent a new form to us to ask pretty much the same information, plus a signature. I have sent a copy to all those going and we have until March 16th to get them back, signed. Some links! http://www.greatwar.co.uk/somme/memorial-36-division-ulster-tower.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Tower http://www.visit-somme.com/somme_tourisme/decouvrez/les_sites_de_la_grande_guerre/tour_d_ulster http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/thiepval/ulster-tower.php