Ypres

This morning we drove 74 k's to Ypres (Leper) it will

be our base to explore Flanders Fields.

Tonight we visited Menin Gate.

Every evening at 8.00pm, the Last Post sounds beneath

the imposing arches of the Menin Gate.

This tribute is played in honour of the memory of the soldiers

who fought and died in the immortal Ypres Salient during

the First World War between 1914 and 1918.

The first last post was sounded on 1 July 1928.

It has been sounded faithfully every night ever since,

with the single exception of the period of German occupation

during the Second World War.

In 1936, the city of Leper (Ypres) presented these lions,

each holding a coat of arms, as a gift to the

Australian War Memorial. It symbolised the

closeness of the relationship between the city and Australia

that developed in the First World War.

At the start of that war, the lions stood on plinths on either side of the road leading through the rampart walls. 
Thousands of Australian soldiers

marched between them on their way to the salient in 1917.

More than 13,000 Australian soldiers died on Belgian soil

fighting for Belgium's freedom.

Half of them have no known grave – their names are inscribed on the walls of Menin Gate and on the memorials across Australia, 

in the towns and cities from which they came.

Since 1991, the restored lions have graced the entrance to 

the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

From 24 April to 11 November 2017, they again stand where 

they stood in the First World War,

 on loan from the Australian War Memorial

in gratitude to the people of Belgium for their commitment

to remembering Australia's sacrifice.

The ceremony tonight was quite overwhelming,

we couldn't believe how many people were there,

Andrew estimates about 4,000, a very moving mark of respect.

After the ceremony we walked past the the fellow

who had read 'For The Fallen' and Iasked him if he would be OK

 with having a photo taken with me.He quickly agreed and Andrew took the photo.

He then asked if I'd like to see a photo of him when he was young.

It was quite overwhelming when he brought out a small photo album,

there were photos of him on his horse in full Horse Guards uniform.

We chatted for a while ,shook his hand and 

told him it was an honour to meet him.

As evening falls on Ypres,

I have had a wonderful birthday, made extra special

by many emails, SMS, Facebook messages, Viber,

Whats App, Skype calls and even some actual birthday cards!

I'm such a lucky girl, thank you everyone.

Today we walked 9.3 k's