3 days in Ypres isn't enough!

[peejay]

After visiting Normandy last year, Mrs Peejay decided she would like to visit the Tyne Cot Memorial to pay our respects to her Great Uncle who is listed on the Memorial wall.
3 nights B&B at the Hotel Sultan Ypres was booked, enough time to visit many of the cemeteries and memorials in this area.
How wrong can you be, there are so many in beggars belief and the whole enormity of that slaughterous (sic) war begins to dawn.

Anyway just a few of the locations visited are posted for your info. I know many of you will have already done these so I apologise, but for those (like me) who keep thinking-'I should really...............' stop thinking and DO.

First stop Nine Elms Cemetery Poperinge.

 

[peejay]

Bradenhoek cemeteries were a flying visit and no pics taken, pressed on to Ypres booked in Hotel, parked bike in safe garage at rear , changed and went for a walk.
View from Hotel window:
The Cloth Hall.

And market square.

Hotel Sultan.

 

[peejay]

Menin Gate:

The Last Post:

 

[Glyno]

Im up there in 2 weeks and booked into the Sultan, cant wait

 

[peejay]

Menin Gate from the other side:

Next Morning off we went to Tyne Cot.

Found Uncle Wilfred Durbin of The Somerset Light Infantry killed in the 3rd battle of Ypres 1917

Tribute layed.

 

[peejay]

New soldiers who had paraded at Menin Gate the previous evening are now being shown memorials of war as part of their initial training.

Next Passendale.

Then Hill62 and Sanctuary Wood.

 

[Buz]

Thanks for sharing the pics Peejay, 12 months ago we went to the Somme, visited the Thiepval Memorial and my Missus stumbled across my Great Uncles Memorial, she remembered his name from a brief conversation months before with my Mum. I'v since found out where he would probably have fallen (but need to verify this if i can some how). Very thought provoking places.
Hill62 and Sanctuary Wood, i bet during the war there was virtually no trees there, all would probably have been blown away looking at pictures of other areas.

 

[peejay]

The Canadian Memorial at Hill 62.

The view towards Ypres

The sinonimous poppies on the Menin Road.

A French military cemetery.

Back to Ypres and a foot tour of St Georges memorial church with the SLI (Prince Albert's) banner and plaque.

The Flanders Fields museum tour at the Cloth Hall is a must, then a lovely walk from Menin Gate along the Ramparts to Lille Gate cemetery which setting is stunningly beautiful and apt.

 

[peejay]

Hill62 and Sanctuary Wood, i bet during the war there was virtually no trees there, all would probably have been blown away looking at pictures of other areas.

Thanks Buz, Actually there are about half a dozen splintered stumps that remain from the battles there, but the rest is 'new' growth.

 

[peejay]

Next morning a visit to the German Cemetery at Langemarck, via the 'Brooding Soldier' Canadian memorial.

Langemarck:

In the distance surrounded by the bronze pillars, is a mass grave containing 25,000 german soldiers.

 

[peejay]

Then onto find 'Harry Patch's' memorial to the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry at the spot he was wounded and his lewis gun colleagues killed.

Always got to get a picture of the old girl.

Then onto 'Talbot House' Poperinge.

And the gardens.

The second largest cemetery after Tyne Cot is nearby at Lijssenthoek.

The author of the poem 'In Flanders Field' John McRae, founded the clearing station at Essex Farm, which naturally became a cemetery, and a memorial to McRae who was killed later in the war and is burried elsewhere.

 

[peejay]

And Finally....

To lighten the mood, well it did mine.
We were sat contemplating our journeys and watching the world (well tottie- but dont drop me in it) go by, when a GSA and a R1100R rode up and parked outside the cafe where we were enjoying a couple of 'Leffe Blonde' (It's a drink!!)
Well I was naturally curious especially as they were brits, well I knew the GSA was the same model and colour as my 'old girl' but was staggered to see that the index was only 3 letters out from mine! Coincedence or what!
Well had a chat and they booked into same Hotel.
Strange to see the girls parked up in the rear yard.

Anyway-not enough time to visit everything over there so another trip is already being planned.

Thanks to Mike P, Twotter, et al for so many interesting articles which made planning this trip a must.

 

[kirky1298]

excellent report and pics peejay ,, cheers mate ,

 

[peejay]

Im up there in 2 weeks and booked into the Sultan, cant wait

We were pleased with the Sultan, yes its a bit basic, but its clean comfortable and the owners are very welcoming. Ideal for a base when touring and perfectly situated in the middle of town, and No it's not noisy at night. They even stop the clock chiming after 10pm until 8am!!

 

[bardicastle]

Sweet memories, great stuff

for the hero's of WW1

 

[Glyno]

We were pleased with the Sultan, yes its a bit basic, but its clean comfortable and the owners are very welcoming. Ideal for a base when touring and perfectly situated in the middle of town, and No it's not noisy at night. They even stop the clock chiming after 10pm until 8am!!

The Sultan has been my fave hotel in Ypres for the last 15 years or more, like you say a bit basic but excellent value and such a prime location overlooking the Grote Mark and Cloth Hall. Good secure parking for the bikes as well at the rear, not that its really necessary. A little tip for anyone thinking of staying there, make sure you book a room overlooking the square i.e. the front, a few euros extra. Well worth it

 

[Invicta Moto]

Peejay,

You are right three days just isn't enough. I've led a few trips across and they have all been day trips! I pick a different selection of "sights/sites" each time.

We were there just after you on the 20th September. We did the Bayernwald Trenches on Messines Ridge. Supposed to be €1.50 to get in but the gate had been forced by some yob or other and we walked in and had a look around. Well preserved and only recently excavated after being "found" in 1970. GPS: N50.80136 E2.87708

At Essex Farm did you go down and have a look at the dressing station to the left and behind the houses? The McCrae monument is right by them. Even 90 years on they don't look any more inviting than when McCrae was working there.

Another small trench system is just up the road at Boezinge. We did that visit in April. Yorkshire Trench, even more recently excavated by The Diggers and was a BBC TV programme in the last five or six years. GPS: N50.88833 E2.87403

If you again the Passchendaele Museum in Zonnebeke is well worth the visit, GPS: N50.87181 E2.98674

On the way from Ypres itself we passed the brick works where the Bremen Redoubt is sited. We went quite a few years ago when it was still open. It's closed at the moment but if they get the cash together to make it safe it is well worth a visit. It's about mile from the Zonnebeke museum.

Thanks for all the excellent pics.

 

[peejay]

Peejay,

You are right three days just isn't enough. I've led a few trips across and they have all been day trips! I pick a different selection of "sights/sites" each time.

We were there just after you on the 20th September. We did the Bayernwald Trenches on Messines Ridge. Supposed to be €1.50 to get in but the gate had been forced by some yob or other and we walked in and had a look around. Well preserved and only recently excavated after being "found" in 1970. GPS: N50.80136 E2.87708

At Essex Farm did you go down and have a look at the dressing station to the left and behind the houses? The McCrae monument is right by them. Even 90 years on they don't look any more inviting than when McCrae was working there.

Another small trench system is just up the road at Boezinge. We did that visit in April. Yorkshire Trench, even more recently excavated by The Diggers and was a BBC TV programme in the last five or six years. GPS: N50.88833 E2.87403

If you again the Passchendaele Museum in Zonnebeke is well worth the visit, GPS: N50.87181 E2.98674

On the way from Ypres itself we passed the brick works where the Bremen Redoubt is sited. We went quite a few years ago when it was still open. It's closed at the moment but if they get the cash together to make it safe it is well worth a visit. It's about mile from the Zonnebeke museum.

Thanks for all the excellent pics.

Thanks Paul,
I will be going back again next year, so, thanks for the tips/waypoints.
Yes, I did see the dressing station at Essex farm.

 

[Twotter]

Great pics & trip report Peejay

Might have to do a return visit to Ypres next year

 

[Invicta Moto]

It is a tribute to the locals that places are stil in such good nick. The yobs round where I live can't leave so much concrete un-"tagged" or full of beer cans!

It is hard to imagine how awful it must have been in those dressing station rooms in the height of the battle and the constant stream of wounded.