Crimson Coast (Reflections)

[smallhobbit]

It 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.

 

Comments

[luthienberen]

Sounds like a very inspiring and thought provoking tour. It is a shame that the books weren't in English. I have come across the problem a couple of times in Poland in tourist areas (as you were in), where English speakers were relatively common. I wish you luck in finding a suitable book. Yummy looking cake!

[smallhobbit]

It was so worth doing. I'd planned on buying something to take home, but it saved our money (which we then spent on chocolate!). My local library are looking to see what's available for a history book.

[luthienberen]

At least the money was well spent then! Chocolate is always a win in my book! Oh good luck, I am going to try my library again to see if they have perhaps improved since I last went a number of years ago.

[smallhobbit]

I generally reserve books online so I can access books from the whole of the county. There don't seem to be any books on Belgian history though (once you've ruled out the two world wars and Napoleon). My local branch has a very limited selection.

[luthienberen]

That is really useful, I will have to give it a try :-). Shame there is no books on Belgian history and surprising. You can't be the first person interested in the general history of Belgian!

[smallhobbit]

It's a good facility to have, so well worth trying.

I'd accept something which included more than Belgium, because I know the country was under foreign rule for centuries.