Monday morning began on the ferry. After an early start and a good breakfast we were back on the coach and on our way again, headed for Flanders fields. First stop: the ominous Trenches of Death in Diskmuide, so called because of their eerily close proximity to the German trenches. We then headed into Ypres itself, where we visited the famous Cloth Hall Museum which houses hundreds of WW1 displays and artefacts. We then had a bit of free time, most of which seemed to be spent stocking up on Belgian chocolates in the local shops. I hope some of these made it back home?? It was then on to Essex Farm Cemetery. This site commemorates 1,200 servicemen, including 15 year old Rifleman V. J. Strudwick – one of the youngest known soldiers of WW1. Essex Farm was also the location of a medical post, and it is said to be here that Major John McCrae composed the now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

We also visited a couple of very special sites today for Niamh and Johnny, who had the chance to lay a small cross in memory of family members/family friends who had lost their lives in WW1.

As well as a deepened understanding of historical events, the day provided us with a bit of an insight into Belgian culture and industry. We picked up a few essential Flemish words and phrases; learned an ancient Belgian good luck poem; heard a traditional Belgian folk song and learned about the local snail farming industry.

The evening was spent in our hotel rehearsing our group presentations for the following days, whilst the pipers practiced for the Last Post Ceremony to be held the following evening. A few games of table tennis later and we were all ready for bed.