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Published: October 1st 2008
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Thiepval
Memorial to those missing on the Somme Tuesday 30 September 2008
A rainy day in France - sadly.
Anyway, the plan was to visit Amiens Town, then Peronne, then American Memorial at Bony and then on to Saint Quentin.
Found our way into Ameins and a town centre underground car park, we are definetly getting better at the driving and finding our way around. We only had one car beep at us today.
We had a quick coffee at the first place we came to, Le Carlton. Strolled around the town for a short while, found the tourist office, for the city map etc. It was drizzling so we had a walk around the Amiens Cathedral, for a while. A beautiful piece of architecture and not small. It wasn't completely destroyed during the war, but nearly.
We walked around for a while longer, and found the “Little Venice”, of Amiens, lots of canals, so it can actually make the claim and it wasn't to dissimilar to the real thing. On a nicer day, we would have spent longer, but the weather was against us. We decided to head back towards the car, with a bite to eat on the way. We ended up
outside the local train station and had a kebab and a tuna sandwich, from Le Pouce. Sat outside the station and ate it, very high class.
Managed to get out of the Car Park and negotiated our way towards Peronne. As we were leaving I saw the stone marking the furthest advance of the Germans just outside Amiens. Also, of course we crossed over the River Somme several times going into and leaving Amiens.
Peronne is a small town, but holds the Museum containing the and the area's association with the Great War, which was obviously a lot. The museum certainly holds a great deal of information and we stayed for several hours.
Not sure how to explain, if you haven't been here, how to describe the area. Broadly, speaking “flat” would cover most of it. The area was heavily involved in the fighting of the Great War and the trenches criss crossed the lands around. The cemeteries are numerous and for as many sites and memorials that we visited, we have driven past or haven't been any where near a great deal more. We arrived 7 days ago now and have not had a day go
past without visiting at least one place of remembrance to those who sacrificed their lives. We have attempted to view as many different nationalities as possible as well.
Another point we have noticed, at the larger memorials we have often encountered school parties, from local one's to British, New Zealand and many others. The kids are obviously being taught about this in the schools.
It seems in general that currently the public's interest is very high in the Great War.
Following, the Peronne Museum, we headed off towards trying to find the American Memorial.
Along the way visited Maissemy German Cemetery with 30,000 +. After one of the longer drives that we have done to date, we found the American Cemetery at Bony 1800 +. It was raining quite hard so we didn't hang around. The grave markers appear to be marble and are very smart. Came across a Medal Of Honour burial, and the letters are picked out in gold on the cross, so very noticeable.
To go to Saint Quentin, we had to go back the way we came and we hadn't realised we had actually driven past the American Memorial, as it
was poorly signposted. As it was throwing it down, and about 5 o'clock, at which time apparently the American Cemetery and Memorial shuts, we didn't stop.
Made our way to Saint Quentin and found the hotel without trouble.
I forgot to mention last night's dinner which was Sausage and Chips and Beefsteak and chips.
Tonight we both had the Self Service Hors d'oeuvre and Dessert.
Found out that the Mill Road Cemetery was laid directly over the German Trenches, so the ground is very unstable, which is why the headstones are laid flat.
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