When the Menin Gate is Quiet

| September 29, 2016

Ypres Day Five of Five Now that we have had our days in the sun, here on the Salient, it is time to go. A morning wander takes us to Menin Gate where there are few people and only the echoes of rumbling cars and trucks add to the murmurings amongst the names that live […]

The Chessboard That Is This Salient.

| September 28, 2016

Ypres Day Four of Five If someone were to ask how many speeds I had on my bicycle during this fine tour I would tell them uphill, glide and pedal. This way of seeing the land that is the Ypres Salient has left an indelible mark on me. It is not just the sites themselves but it is the context […]

Today’s Objective Was Passchendaele

| September 27, 2016

Ypres Day Three of Five A shorter ride today though at times it felt uphill and against the wind. Determined to push on, today’s objective was Passchendaele – one spot on the high ground that is the Western Front. We were most familiar with Canada’s role in this climb to the top where today the Canadian Memorial […]

Somewhere in Belgium

| September 26, 2016

Ypres Day Two of Five Today it is a return to Ploegsteert and as we lumber our way across the roadway towards the Rijselpoort, the cobbles remind us every few seconds that we are not quite at our peak for the day. Heading south we successfully navigate our way in approxiamately an hour to Ploegseert Church. […]

Mud, Memory and Musings

| September 25, 2016

Ypres Day One of Five The train arrives at Lille once again and I am most pleased to be back on this familiar expedition towards the Ypres Salient. As our driver takes us on our journey past drifting towns, villages and landmarks he is careful to avoid the many sail-less bicycles drifting to and fro on this […]