Mon 11 Sept – Day 12 - Day 2 - Fromelles and Vimy Ridge – Lille to Amiens

Monday 11th September 

Sorry but no photos today.

I took quite a few but for some reason they are not showing up in iCloud.  I can see them on the phone but they aren't transferring to the cloud.  I haven't got the patience tonight to work out what is happening as I feel lousy with this cold that is developing.

I was woken by the alarm this morning, so up and showered. I think I’m also starting to get  a cold. Have a constant tickle in my throat and the nose is slightly runny.

I went down for breakfast just before 7am and I was the only tour group person there. Cheese, ham & fruit. Didn’t bother with the coffee. Had orange juice instead.

Back to my room to catch up on emails and put the main luggage out just before 8 am. When I left my room about 4 minutes later, the luggage was gone.

Went for a walk around the neighbour. A nice brisk morning temperature wise.  I took some photos of the Opera House and it’s door handles.

Also a couple of other buildings in that square. I continued walking around the block, being aware that the streets often run off at angles. Thankfully I made it back to the hotel without getting mislaid. 

Back to my room to collect the carry-on and hand luggage, then downstairs to catch up with the rest of the group and depart the hotel and walk back to the bus. The hotel people had already taken my main luggage to the bus. People who didn’t get their luggage out, had to walk theirs to the bus. Cobble stones are not great for pushing or pulling wheeled suitcases over. :)

We got away at 9:15am on our way to Frommelles.

The first memorial we visited was the Australian Memorial Park

and the small cemetery near by.

We left there at 10:20am.

On to Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery & museum.

Departed there at 11:15 and arrived at  the Canadien Memorial around midday. 

We did the 1pm Tunnel & Trench tour, which was interesting. We departed for Arris at 13:45. The heavens opened at 13:50 and was almost stopped by 13:55 just a slight drizzle actually. We were dropped in the main square to get a bite to eat for lunch and we’re back on the bus again at 12:45. A few of us just went to Subway and grabbed one their rolls. I had a small one but it was very filling.

We departed Arris on time and then went to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Very interesting how they do some of the work. We left there at 5pm on our way to Amies, where we stay for 2 nights. It’s about an hours drive. 

I didn't note what the time was that we arrived.  I had some hand washing to do, so got that out of the way, then went for a walk to buy some Macaroons. I bought 3 little ones. Raspberry, lemon and I forget what the 3rd one was.  Melt in the mouth delicious.

If I can work out tomorrow what is going on with my photo's, I'll add some to this post.

It's 7:30pm and I'm having an early night.