10 Saturday Nov 2018
Posted in History
Tags
#armistice, #motorhomes, #remembrance, @motorhmenews, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, St Omer, World War 1, WWI, Ypres
As this most significant anniversary approaches I have this week been in France (St Omer) and Belgium (Ypres).
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
10 Thursday May 2018
Posted in History
Tags
#motorhomes, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, Kobe, motorhomenews, motorhomes, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Second Lieutenant Arthur Conway Young, Ypres
Readers of this blog know I have an interest in WWI history and a huge admiration for the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Most of the inscriptions and epitaphs on the headstones have a religious overtone – perfectly reasonably when you consider the times – and wherever possible the closest relatives (invariably the parents due to the shockingly young age of so many of those killed) had a say in what went on the headstone.
And then, by contrast, at the weekend I came across the headstone of Second Lieutenant Arthur Conway Young who was killed 150 yards East of Brory Farm, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, Belgium.
One of the startling truths to emerge when you have an amateur’s interest like mine let alone an academic historian’s deep insight is that we seem to learn little from these epic tragedies. The words on this headstone capture that far more eloquently than I ever could.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
11 Saturday Mar 2017
I was talking to a fellow Caravan and Motorhome Club friend the other day and remarked that I am more of a tourer than a rallyer to which she rather tartly remarked “Well, Christopher, that’s your loss then.” That could be but I think I am likely to stick with my touring and this week has been a case in point.
A few days came free in the diary after an extremely serious bout of man flu which required a great deal of help and TLC to get me through – believe me it was touch and go.
For some time I have been wanting to visit a couple of the peace parks built near Ypres post WW1 and also see Prowse Point where the famous Christmas Day football match was played and where a faithful reconstruction of the trenches shows that just a few metres separated the opposing forces. Disapproved of by the generals at the time, it has become something of a focal point.
When in Ypres I usually drive the clearly signed Poppy Trail coming across all sorts of interesting history. Thursday night’s attendance at the daily Menin Gate ceremony was primarily attended by children many of whom were on school trips from the UK so that future generations never forget.
Whilst I may not be much of a rallyer, there can scarcely be a better way of touring the Somme battlefields than in a motorhome.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
06 Sunday Apr 2014
Posted in Sites
I have had a number of questions about the site I stayed at in Ypres. It is open from March 1st and I found it ideal as it is only a ten to fifteen minute walk into Ypres. The web address is http://www.jeugdstadion.be
“Campsite ‘Jeugdstadion’ is a small and green campsite just a stone′s throw from the centre of Ypres. Since 1993 hikers from all around Europe have enjoyed our campsite as the perfect base from which to explore the Westhoek. If you would like to explore the region on a cycle we have cycles for rent.
The campsite has 22 touristic places where you can pitch your tent, and stand your caravan or camping car. There are 70 places for tents in the field and 3 hikers’ huts. You can also stand your camping car on the camping car site.
The campsite has two sanitary buildings with a total of 6 showers.
There is a chemical toilet and a waste water drain point for camping cars.
The camping is open from 1 March through 12 November. The camping car site is accessible throughout the year. Reception closed from 12 November to 1 March. For the camping car area you have to check in with the booking machine . During this period the toilet blocks are closed.”
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
05 Saturday Apr 2014
Posted in Places
I am in Ypres for a few days primarily because of my interest in WW1 history. I am staying at the Jeugdstadion site which is next to the sports stadium and very well placed for walking into town. Its website can be found HERE
Ypres is also a very attractive town quite apart from the sombre history which will always be connected to its name. Almost entirely rebuilt since WW1 it has a really nice feel to it and rather less glitzy than nearby Bruges – which I also like but some days you can hardly move it is so packed out.
My photo is of the Menin Gate where the ceremony of the Last Post is respectfully carried out at 8pm every night without fail and has been performed since the 1920s – except for a gap during the Second World War.
It’s very easy to get to – barely an hour from Dunkirk and a smidge more from Calais.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
