{"id":368,"date":"2023-07-05T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bikeodyssey.cc\/the-allies-odyssey\/?p=368"},"modified":"2023-07-24T09:52:42","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T09:52:42","slug":"allies-day-15-lens-to-ypres-july-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikeodyssey.cc\/the-allies-odyssey\/2023\/07\/05\/allies-day-15-lens-to-ypres-july-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Allies Day 15 Lens to Ypres July 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today\u2019s ride was 63.58 km, 305 m of climbing. We began with our departure from Lens in the drizzle with a firm breeze. \u00a0The first 10 km were slow and difficult as we made our way out of town in quite heavy traffic.<\/p>\n

The sun eventually made its way out as we approached Fromelles, but the wind made it quite chilly. The story of Fromelles is a tragic one for the Australian Imperial forces. It is still considered the worst 24 hours in Australia\u2019s entire history as the men of the First Division attacked to try a divert German troops away from the Somme battles, it resulted in minimal gains, no German troops diversions and cost us 5533 casualties. we also visited the new Pheasants Wood graveyard for the recently discovered soldiers and saw a 16 and 17 year old’s graves.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Far too young ????<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read the inscriptions carefully. Think about what it must\u2019ve been like for their families <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then rode out to VC Corner and the Australian Memorial on the battlefield itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These two signs are only a couple of hundred metres apart <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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VC Corner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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VC Corner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the way to Fleurbaix for coffee we visited the beautiful small Le Trou aid post cemetery <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Continuing north and skirting around Armentieres we crossed the border into Belgium to Nieukerke for lunch. after lunch, I took a group to visit some of the 19 Ridge mine craters including Spanbroekmolekrater or the \u2018Peace Pool\u2019 that were blown up on the morning of June 7, 1917, signalling the beginning of the Messines offensive. We then headed on into Ypres in the rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mine craters are used as dams by the local farmers <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Unexploded ordinance will be collected and incinerated at very hot temperature <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lovely way to travel <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The peace pool <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Today is the last day of the stage, one and many of our Allies family will be heading home or onto new adventures. It has been a wonderful experience to share with so many awesome people. So visiting the Menin Gate ceremony before dinner was an amazing way to conclude our time together and the Hoffman family was able to lay a wreath, which was very special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ypres Cathedral was rebuilt after the war<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ypres Market Hall was also rebuilt after the war<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Menin Gate is unfortunately being refurbished, but is still incredibly impressive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The ceremony is still being held and is amazing. There must\u2019ve been over 1000 people there last night and Knox Grammar from Sydney were on the bagpipes. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The dishes are very big in Belgium\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This was meant to be a light cheese salad!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Maxi, Franny and Fergie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Liz and Hendrick <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ruth and Cath<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Says it all\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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