Forthcoming visit to the Somme Battlefield. Advice please.

[onefortheroad]

An update to this thread dated 5th July 2020.

It won't come as much of a surprise to learn that our trip to the Somme to trace Grandad's and Great Uncle's footsteps has had to be called off for this year due to the Covid19 pandemic.

We are hoping to re-book for the same time next year when, hopefully, things may have returned to some form of normality.

I'll keep you all updated in due course.

Regards, David.

[MaxD]

David

Shame!  Looking forward to next year's report then!

MaxD

[River Tyne Lass]

David,  this must have been so disappointing to have to miss out on this trip.  Hopefully, things will be safe enough next year for the trip to go ahead.  I too, will look forward to hearing about next years report.

[onefortheroad]

Thanks, MaxD and River Tyne Lass.

Yes, disappointing but not worth the risk, especially as the Musee de Somme1916 in Albert is still temporarily closed and Thiepval memorial is undergoing restoration.
But we've got all the excitement of the planning and packing to go through again next year so thats some consolation.

I will report back in approx. 1 year.

Regards and stay safe all.
David

[BumbleB]

Whenever you do manage to make the visit - enjoy Thiepval, it is a very evocative place. 

[onefortheroad]

An update on our trip to the Somme to pay respects to my Gt.Uncle and try to imagine the hell that he and my Grandad went through:

Well, obviously last year's trip never got off the ground so we re-arranged it for this year.

I suppose no-one will be surprised that this year's trip has met the same fate.

As things stand, Eurotunnel have issued us with a voucher for travel upto June 2023. so we're standing down until July next year.

I hope everyone is staying safe and keeping well and I'll post an update again this time next year.

Regards, David.

[onefortheroad]

Yet another update on our visit to the Somme battlefield, originally scheduled for July 2020:

At the risk of tempting fate, our visit is now booked for 12th to 17th July this year and our accomodation is in Aveluy, where my grandad was billeted in June 1916, only a couple of miles from the CWGC cemetery at Poziere where my gt.uncle is buried.

Two years ago, my research into my relatives' service on the Somme was brilliantly assisted by the late MaxD, whose passing I only learned of this week. I could not possibly have done without Max's boundless help. I know he gave his experience and assistance to many Rootschatters who will remember him with great fondness as I do.

I will report on our trip in due course.

Regards, David.