Blog by Bob Stewart
PECAM – YPRES, 15 – 17 September 2023
FRIDAY
Like the rest of the group, I got up at stupid o’clock on the Friday morning and upon looking out of the window, the dank, dreary fog made me wonder what we were in for, weather wise.
I rode to the usual PECAM RV point on Haddon Services where I was joined by Kevin & Dee, Mike & Petra, Paul F, Ian D, Garry C & Andy G, In view of the fact that I had previously sent out a War & Peace briefing by email, we had a quick chat, Andy volunteered to TEC and we set off for the BP garage at Brampton Hut Services, to meet the rest of the crew.
At Brampton Hut we met Martin & Steph, Duncan, Bob A, Martin Mooney, and Garry C and headed off to the Channel Tunnel by way of the A1, A14, M11, M25 and M20,
However, travelling south on the M11, near Addenbrookes Hospital, Garry Cutresses’ top box decided to part company from his bike! How it had remained in situ for that long is a mystery. Fortunately, a close following ambulance crew saw what had happened, put their blue lights on, and straddling both lanes, brought the motorway to a stop, allowing Martin Mooney to recover said item which was surprisingly intact despite its solo adventure. Martin Munday eventually attracted Garry’s attention to what had happened, (he was oblivious to his loss), and top box and owner were reunited. Additional security of the offending box was supplied by Andy G who had a cargo net to hand!
By the time that we got to the Tunnel and checked in, the sun was beating down and it really was hot! There were more motorcycles checked in, ready to board, than I have ever seen. Due to the delay, the member of staff that I spoke to told me that he had worked for Eurotunnel for 6 years and that he had never seen so many motorcycles at once, on the same day and that was the cause of the delay.
France, and the first navigational hiccup by yours truly. This led to Martin Munday taking the lead for a short time. In the effort to catch up with the main party, I found myself leading Steph and Andy G. As we were about to re-join, I made the second navigational error of the day and as the others disappeared into the distance, I turned off, following the satnav and signs for Ypres!
It all worked out in the end, with both groups arriving at The Albion Hotel within 10 minutes of each other, although we were there first, so I will say no more!
It was still extremely hot and we soon all congregated out in the sun in the Grote Markt or Town Square, where liquid refreshment was consumed.
I managed to book a table for 14 at De Trompet bar and restaurant, located close to the very impressive, rebuilt, medieval Cloth Hall which was started in 1200 and completed in 1304.
I think that it is fair to say that we all had various, excellent meals chosen from a comprehensive menu. I will lay claim to the decision of the night when the waitress convinced me to change my choice of a burger and fries to a bowl of Flemish stew. Amazing meal!
We then attended the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Although the structure is clad in protective material whilst it undergoes restoration, the ceremony takes place slightly to the east, on the canal bridge. On this evening a Welsh, male voice choir, “Meibion Goronwy” were part of the ceremony.
In all the years that I have seen the Last Post ceremony in Ypres, I have never witnessed such an appropriate, moving performance. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and brought a tear to my eye.
The group then did a bomb burst, some to find a bar and others returned to the hotel and bed.