The battle of Arras and the Somme

Some may be surprised to learn that this trip is not all about eating drinking and being merry! We have spent the last two days in and around an area of northern France called the Somme.  Most of you will be aware that this is where some of the bloodiest battles in WW1 took place, almost 100 years ago.  Like us you will no doubt have read about these battles in text books (or have been forced to in your history lessons). However being in the place where it all happened really seems to bring it all to life.  It makes you realise the enormity of what still seems to be a mindless loss of life.

We spent a day in a town called Arras where we plunged 20 meters underground to see a world created by the British and commonwealth troops.  It was truly remarkable.  The soldiers discovered long disused limestone quarries which they linked up with tunnels to create a labyrinth of underground barracks.  They had everything from cookhouses to bathrooms, an officers' mess and communications booths.  They even installed electricity! A true feet of engineering. We heard accounts of what went through their minds before all 25,000 of them surged up above ground to ambush the Germans.  It was a truly humbling experience.

 (Mmmm Corned beef!)

Exist No 10 - a few meters from the German camp!

The Somme is now a picture postcard scene, rolling green agricultural land dotted with cyprus trees and the odd farm. It is hard to believe that so many lives were lost in this place.   However there are constant reminders.  The landscape is dotted with perfectly manicured white cross graveyards.  At Theipval stands an enormous memorial to commemorate the 76,000 unknown French and British Soldiers who were killed in the Somme.  Whilst here we bumped in to some current day heros, injured soldiers, 250 of them, who were cycling a tour of the area in aid of Help for Heros.  Amazing!

The circuit of remembrance is actually a beautiful drive - especially when the sun comes out - eventually!  We finished with a visit of the biggest WW1 memorial museum in Peronne which is housed in a huge chateau.  After all that history we took time to reflect with a picnic by the lake eating our incredibly smelly cheese that we bought from the market in Arras that morning - the car still stinks!!!