Ypres trip, a report (quite long) - Page 2

**Steve GD** · 28 Jul 08, 05:40 PM

Excellent write-up, guys...thanks. The "Known only unto God" inscription stops me in my tracks every time.

**ducbird** · 28 Jul 08, 05:52 PM

i know what you mean Steve

So many Unknown Soldiers

from the pictures i saw i can see why Unknown...

**moto748** · 28 Jul 08, 06:16 PM

Great reports from both you guys, many thanks. I've seen the Menin gate (but not during the Last Post) and remember the effect that had on me. Those battlefield museums...

Shame circumstances meant I couldn't join you. A guy I used to work with in Chippenham is an official guide over there, working for the British Legion IIRC, and he used to tell me plenty about WW1.

Maybe another time.

**zimbo** · 28 Jul 08, 06:50 PM

We'll be back over next year again Fred I'm sure, it's not so far and worth it for the change of scenery, good food and beer alone. The hotel was reasonable value and nobody tries to rip you off or bothers you, it's a great place.

**nogaromill999** · 28 Jul 08, 08:07 PM

Its somewhere I have been meaning to go for many a long year...my Grandfather fought there and was lucky to survive...but he was never the same man having seen most of his friends killed, and joined the RFC after Paschendale. I have seen the war graves at Omaha Beach when we rode down a couple of years ago, and that was moving, but this sounds even more so.

**ducbird** · 28 Jul 08, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogaromill999

Its somewhere I have been meaning to go for many a long year...my Grandfather fought there and was lucky to survive...but he was never the same man having seen most of his friends killed, and joined the RFC after Paschendale. I have seen the war graves at Omaha Beach when we rode down a couple of years ago, and that was moving, but this sounds even more so.

Nog when you see what we have seen its no wonder they didnt come back
the same men, put it on your list of things to do next !

**Douglas** · 28 Jul 08, 09:11 PM

Great reports from both of you. I cant compete, but will add my story to the excellent write ups.

I left home at just after 6 am on Friday, as I wanted to avoid the traffic, and have a relaxed ride down. I went via the A444/A5 to south of Dunstable. I had a good clear ride down, and was filling up at London Colney Sainsbugs in under two hours. The ride round the M25 and the Dartford crossing went without incident, and I was in Kent in three hours, and eating brunch in Ashford 30 mins later.

I had a straight forward crossing on the tunnel apart from hanging about waiting for my shuttle. I landed about 2.15 and was in Ypres by 1530. I settled into the hotel, texted Zimbo and headed for the Grand Place for a drink and a shuftie at the maps. I decided to make use of the evening by taking a tour on the 999 to look at the Mesines Ridge and the Menin Road. This gave me a good idea of the tactical significance of these two features that cost so very many lives over the four years of war.

Then back to the Grande Place for Steak Frites and a Dame Blanche, and on the 999 to the hotel for a few well earned beers.

Saturday morning saw me up bright and early taking a hearty breakfast before riding to Poperinge to meet Zimbo and Ducbird. As I got there in good time, I went for a wander round, and took a sparkling water on another Grande Place!

By now you will have read all about our visits in the area. I had booked on an earlier ferry than the others, so had to leave in mid afternoon on Sunday to ride home, so I missed the visit to Paschendale and the related cemetries.

My journey to the port was a bit fraught. I had cut my departrure a bit fine, so was miffed to find the route to the Autoroute closed, and so I had to use the very bumpy, and busy Route Nationale that I had come out on. My mood was further dampened when I discovered the entrance to the Autoroute that I had come out on was also closed, involving another long diversion. However I managed to twist the throttle just hard enough to make it with a few minutes to spare!

The shuttle I was on had many bikes on it. All hot from the dash to the port. It was then we discovered our carriage was the one with bust aircon, According to the 999s dash it was just over 40 in our carriage!

After that it was a straight forward ride home on the same route as on the way out. I was home by nine.

My thanks to Graeme and Ducbird for their great company. It was good to enjoy Belgium with them, and share our thoughts and emotions with each other. It was a very sobering trip, as well as being great fun.

Lets hope next years trip comes off, and I can arrange for my native guide to come on her 750ss!

**jay748** · 28 Jul 08, 09:25 PM

if you do return i can recommend a visit to Dixmude , its probably 20 minuted from ypres , it has a preserved line of trenches named the Trenches of Death as i gather the fighting was so intense ,there about 200mtr long with fire steps all amazingly preserved, i gather this belgiums flooded the area to stop the advance and this trench line was the forward line ,

its free and there a small museum.

j

**ducbird** · 29 Jul 08, 08:50 AM

Douglas

By the look of that trench up there we have to go back...
we missed that one...

Roll on next year then.............

and thank you for your company also, it certainly was a sobering trip.

**Gilps** · 29 Jul 08, 11:36 AM

A very good write up and some poignant photos. Do it on bikes next year and I'll be up for it.

**Graeme999** · 29 Jul 08, 08:17 PM

Great write up and photos. Thanks for making the effort to share that.

**captain soup** · 29 Jul 08, 09:01 PM

Great write up, to what looked like an excellent trip. If you go again next year it will most certainly be in my diary.

Mark

**Imola Duke** · 29 Jul 08, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay748

if you do return i can recommend a visit to Dixmude , its probably 20 minuted from ypres , it has a preserved line of trenches named the Trenches of Death as i gather the fighting was so intense ,there about 200mtr long with fire steps all amazingly preserved, i gather this belgiums flooded the area to stop the advance and this trench line was the forward line ,

its free and there a small museum.

j

I worked there some 8 years ago and visited the trench's.

Next year maybe ...
Great write ups Zimbo Viv and Douglas

**AinSPS** · 01 Aug 08, 05:23 PM

A trip worth making.
If anyone does find themselves in Ypres again can I suggest going down to the Ypres Town Cemetery extention.
You get there by going through the Menin Gate and straight on down the road opposit (not right towards Hell Fire Corner) about 250-300m on the right hand side is a large wall and at the end of the wall is the entrance.
In there you will find soldiers of all four battle of Ypres and also Dunkirk men, who are buried along the bottom wall to your left as you walk in.
If you've time go down to the wall and stop at 6204522 1st/7th Mddx Regt. Cpl F W Peaper. That's my Grandad. Died of wounds a week after being hit retreating from the Combines Canal with the Coldstream Guards in May 1940.
As you walk through you will also see a row of Gt War staff officers. All killed when a shell hit the staff HQ in 1914 as they gathered to be briefed on the battle plans by Haig. Haig was running late! Make you think what might have been if he was on time.
So much to see there, really.

Ains.

**triumph5ta** · 05 Aug 08, 10:33 PM

Its an excellent destination which makes you think about how humans can behave. Its also a beautiful town with many fine places to take a spot of refreshment while remembering how lucky we are, thus: