In their footsteps

What the components of a ‘good’ day out on the battlefields? For me it’s simple, good company and ending the day having learned something new. Today tick’s those boxes and more. A gentle cycle out of Ypres onto the N8 where we head towards Sanctury Wood museum and the other memorials in the area. It’s a long cycle off the N8 onto Canada Lane, but it’s a quiet road with very little traffic. After the war, a soldier returned to what was left of his land in and around Sanctury W

It’s a cold, dark and miserable day and the skies are heavy with rain. It’s the first day that has suggested Autumn, so I’m glad we’re in the car. The shortest distance between Albert and Ypres is just 137km but taking that route means you miss out on some of the finest of WW1memorials, and our circuitous route will take to Vimy Ridge, the Notre Dame de Lorette Necropolis, Neuve Chapelle, the Portuguese Military Cemetery, Ploegsteet and Messines Ridge before arriving in Ypres

The crossroads before entering Longueval. To the right, off photo, are the memorials to the Indians and the New Zealanders. Slightly stiff and aching, a hearty breakfast gives us the boost needed for the longer route planned for today. We headed out northeast, to the right of the Albert-Bapaume Road and went towards Contalmaison. People that know the D929 which runs straight between the two towns, will also know that it is a busy road with very little tolerance for slower tra