We spent 5 nights in Lucerne. During the stay, we did a day trip to Mount Pilatus.
All posts by Jan
Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1
This is my first F1 race that I have attended since 2003 without a backpack full of camera gear – I found myself having to watch the racing (and talking to Jan ) – what a novel concept! Still, any photographer worth his / her salt works with the tools they have.
Belgian Formula 1
The Belgian F1 was a wonderful spectacle. However, if you want to know why I am ranking this event lower on my ‘Race comparison’ spreadsheet, then read my journal update. If you only want to read the good stuff, then read on….
Villers-Bretonneux
At 10pm on the night of 24/25 April 1918, 2 Brigades from the 4th Division AIF (15th Brigade and the 13th Brigade) launched a counter attack against the German forces occupying the town of Villers-Bretonneux and the surrounding high ground. My grandfather – George William Burnett, was serving in this force as a private in the 49th Battalion – part of the 13th Brigade.
The main North – South railway into Paris went through Amiens (approximately 11km from Villers-Bretonneux). This was seen by as a strategic objective by both sides and the Germans pushed east – occupying the town of Villers-Bretonneux and the high ground to the north of the town. This high ground gave them the ability to accurately adjust artillery fire onto Amiens. For the first time, tanks were used by both sides and a German A7 tank named Mephisto was captured by the Australians and shipped home to Australia. I can recall as a child, climbing on this tank where it sat at the site of the Old Museum in Brisbane. I understand that the tank has been moved out to the Redbank railway yards and is being restored to running order in time for the centenary of the start of WW1.
The Australian Memorial was established on the high ground approx 3km to the Nth of Villers-Bretonneux – where the initial night attack to reclaim Villers-Bretonneux was launched from. The memorial was opened by King George VI on 22 July 1938. It was damaged during WW2 and was repaired – although some of the damage caused by bullets was allowed to remain as a part of history.
We went to Villers-Bretonneux as a day trip by train from Paris. We walked out to the cemetery / memorial from Villers-Bretonneux and took in the tranquil surroundings – a far cry from the thousands of tourists flocking to the Louvre in Paris.
My Grandfather, participated in many of the major battles that took place in Northern France and despite being wounded several times, survived the war.
I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to go to this place and it will be one of my lasting memories of our European adventure.
Paul
Pauls photos of Paris
Prague
I will get back to updating you on the 50 or so days between York and our return to Europe, but here is our arrival in Prague…
And a belated best wishes to Heather and Gavin on their 33rd wedding anniversary on 1st August.
Hungarian F1
I’ve jumped forward about 50 days here, but it’s been such an excellent weekend, and we spent a bit of time in the bus today getting out of the circuit so I got some writing done. I thought I’d share my thoughts on the Hungarian F1…
York
Well, I’m a bit behind with my journal. I’m about 3 weeks behind with my writing, and nearly 2 months behind with transcribing from my journal to the computer…
This post is our York leg. It wasn’t until I was writing the York section of my journal that I realised just how much I had fallen in love with this part of England.
Nice to Cambridge
Go to Jan’s journal, Days 22 to 25 to read about our journey from Nice to Cambridge.
The next leg of our journey was three nights in Cambridge.
Until the mid-19th century both Cambridge and Oxford were made up of a group of colleges with a small central university administration. Now, the Faculties and Departments organise teaching and research.
Nice and Monaco
Finally I have typed up some more of my journal. I am now only about a three and a half weeks behind…
We arrived in Nice on Wednesday 21st May. We were staying in an apartment just off Place Garibaldi until we moved into the Hotel Massena on Friday morning.