France and Flanders 2017
It’s Better When it Rains
We wander over to the car rental to acquire our rolling steed for the day and head out for Vimy (September 18, 2017). This is the first time I have ventured onto the frontier, driving and navigating myself and my friend towards various landscapes of conflict. Certainly there are challenges, such as the GPS path, wonderfully displayed in colour, but our Dutch voice directions from our virtual host are without understanding on our part. Towards Arras we leave the system preferring to town hop towards the ridge.
Roadworks and diversions pose several options for unvoluntary learning of this landscape, but overall we are pleased with our re-routing. After much bobbing and weaving we arrive at the new Vimy Interpretive Centre and following our visit I move on to the Memorial itself. I enjoy these repeated visits, there is family here, and I am especially pleased with today’s hostile skyline. There is drama in the skies across this stage as I once again visit with Ole Berget, Mother Canada and then look towards the slag heaps of Lens. It is time to return to the car and as I descend the steps the rain begins to fall in torrents. Quickly I am reminded of a Remembrance Day ceremony in Chilliwack, British Columbia where many years ago I stood with Dick Smith, a Canadian Merchant Navy veteran of the Second World War. Both of us huddled side by side, beneath our umbrellas. The solemnity of the service, a slight bit of discomfort, nature’s special effects….it’s better when it rains.
That was the first time I thought of this expression and the phrase always comes to mind when I make my way on my path that sometimes features these tears of heaven. This day will also take us to Mont-Saint-Eloi, then to the Somme where I visit Newfoundland Park (Beaumont-Hamel) to find the bronze caribou upon the rocks and where below a record of names is to be found. This visit is for Dave Parsons, also of Chilliwack, and whose family is recorded here on this record. Then on to Thiepval, to visit their interpretive centre to see what changes have occurred since I was last here. Though time has become of the essence, I change my mind as I am about to enter the car, and return to the giant stone record of the missing of the Somme. A few images and reflections later I turn towards the car park as the skies open upon me. Soaked and smiling when the slight bit of hail begins I remind myself again…it’s better when it rains.
However, there is one more stop to make before we return to Ypres (Ieper) where we will again take in the evening’s Last Post Ceremony which will feature soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. Across the fields towards Adanac we come to the graveside of Piper James Cleland Richardson VC, whose parents lived in Chilliwack. The rain upon the Somme has added its effects this day. As I stand at the Piper’s graveside I look back towards Thiepval and across the plains of these battlefields, a panorama of mud and black sky. The rain continues to fall. I am soaked and smiling…it’s better when it rains.
Paul – thank you for sharing you thoughtful and inspiring insights. I truly enjoy reading your posts and look forward to receiving them in my inbox.
regards,
Duane
Thank you Duane. Really glad that you enjoy them. Much appreciated.
Paul