Crimson Coast (Reflections)
Apr. 30th, 2019 07:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitIt was a fascinating tour - I learnt such a lot. Not as emotional as last time, although there were times, like the Last Post ceremony. It was more quiet reflection, and seeing what went on behind the lines, so vital and yet recalled far less often. One of the tour party was able to find his grandfather's grave and lay his poppy there, which was really good.
The above is a piece of modern sculpture, called the Three Wise Noses, which is on De Panne beach. One head looks towards England, one towards France, and one inland in Belgium.
Belgium and the area of nearby France has a lot of history, and I'd like to know more. I'm currently trying to find a suitable book (in English) which doesn't cost an arm and a leg, or was written fifty years ago. The two photos below show where Marshal Ney had his headquarters during the Napoleonic Wars.
We were in the Flemish speaking area of Belgium, and at one museum all the exhibits were listed only in Flemish. Also, a couple of the museum bookshops only have Flemish books which was a little frustrating, and, to me, rather surprising.
We did have one funny incident. We were in a cake shop in Nieuwpoort, and TD asked for two cakes in French. The reply came back in German, so I finished the conversation in German.
And speaking of cake (from Poperinge):
Despite being tiring it was an excellent trip, and I'm so glad we went.
The above is a piece of modern sculpture, called the Three Wise Noses, which is on De Panne beach. One head looks towards England, one towards France, and one inland in Belgium.
Belgium and the area of nearby France has a lot of history, and I'd like to know more. I'm currently trying to find a suitable book (in English) which doesn't cost an arm and a leg, or was written fifty years ago. The two photos below show where Marshal Ney had his headquarters during the Napoleonic Wars.
We were in the Flemish speaking area of Belgium, and at one museum all the exhibits were listed only in Flemish. Also, a couple of the museum bookshops only have Flemish books which was a little frustrating, and, to me, rather surprising.
We did have one funny incident. We were in a cake shop in Nieuwpoort, and TD asked for two cakes in French. The reply came back in German, so I finished the conversation in German.
And speaking of cake (from Poperinge):
Despite being tiring it was an excellent trip, and I'm so glad we went.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-02 08:01 am (UTC)We were surprised at the emphasis on Flemish (I understand there's a strong nationalist push in the area, which I'd be interested to learn more about), but it did make it harder to understand things. I can read enough French to follow basic labels, and could understand some of the Flemish by its resemblance to German but generally the effort was too much.
As for the cake, I can only assume TD (The Daughter)'s French was so bad the proprietor thought we were German (on the basis the English always ask in English); it amused us though. I have some experience in buying cake in German, which stood me in good stead ;)
no subject
Date: 2019-05-02 09:48 pm (UTC)