Back On The Road

Back On The Road

I have just spent three days in Esch sur Sure in Luxembourg's Ardenne. It is a very picturesque commune with a castle ruin. It only became a tourist town since the second World War and it's main claim to fame was that it was the second smallest commune in Luxembourg. Otherwise it just relies on its' charm. Just five minutes up the A12 from here is a monument to the fallen during the Battle of the Bulge. This was the Nazi's last serious attempt to break through the Allies lines and had it been successful could have created a stalemate and possible opportunity for a negotiated settlement. Unfortunately for them they chose an area under the control of a very determined American force rapidly joined by General Pattons' armoured divisions and they weren't for turning. There are a number of trails through the forest with all weather displays, including foxholes, command posts and many lifesize figures of soldiers from both armies. The...
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C’est la Vie

C’est la Vie

    When I left you last I was looking forward to a day watching a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, on it's 207th anniversary and what's more on the original battleground. I passed a couple of pleasent days leading up to this momentous occasion watching some golf at the Royal Waterloo Golf Club, and wishing I had loaded my clubs in the car before I left, and taking in some of the local scenery and community activities. Anyway, Saturday morning arrived and I set-off to the location, stopping at a local supermarket to load-up with some refreshment. The sky was cloudless and the heat by mid-day was too much for some of the tourists. I started off by making my way to one of two bivouac areas which was far larger that I had expected and extremely busily habitated. There was row-upon-row of tents grouped into different companies, battalions and regiments. I found one platoon of Scots Guards consisting of three...
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