Arnhem 75th anniversary

[Burchy]

This weekend it's the remembrance of Market Garden in Holland.  Got a trip planned with a good mate, Mark, (ZZR1400) who's dad was one of the Polish paratroopers who went in , in sept 1944.  Also going with my son Pete on his one-handed Aprilia.

There's lots of events going on, and we plan staying at Ypres on the way back to have a look around there and at Pachendale.

Off at sparrow fart tomorrow to get the tunnel train at 1000 and back next Tuesday.  Should be lots of photo opportunities...

[pross]

I was only reading the other day about the Dutch flower children. Who since Arnhem have put fresh flowers on the fallen's graves they the survivors are in their late eighties.such respect for the soldiers who gave their lives to free them fantastic.
What a trip have a safe trip and looking forward for the photos 

[O.C.]

Saw a feature on the news about a surviving glider pilot from the Arnhem days .... brave men one and all  

[Robbieben]

Have a great time, lovely place, lovely people.

[Rynglieder]

Now that's a proper ride out -enjoy, and stay safe.

[ray1151]

Pix please

[Burchy]

I must say I really enjoyed the last 6 days, the whole experience was just stunning. From setting off to Folkestone on Thursday morning at 5.45 night with Pete  and meeting Mark and Ann-Marie at the Chunnel, the rides up to Ghent and onward where so much fun and the weather was perfect, sunny and 25'C............................... a quick recap,

We travelled along the historic routes passing cemetaries and memorials along the way on Friday, ending up at the John Frost bridge in Arnhem to watch the band's sound check , the jeeps and people in war time dress parading along the riverside and bridge. A very big event for a relatively small town. From our hotel on Saturday morning we rode the 4km to Ginkel Heath to watch the air display and massed parachute drop and the 97 yr old veteran make a tandem jump with the Red Devils, amazing. He had never returned as he felt they had let the Dutch down by leaving and causing more suffering through the battle and long winter they had to endure afterwards!
8 Hercules flying in formation was a 1st for me.  Sounded fantastic

From there onto the town of Driel to watch the Polish remembrance service and to see where Mark's Dad had swam across the river, we passed Prince Charles on our way out to Oosterbeek . A quick stop at the Hartenstein Hotel and Memorial then on to dinner, Prince Charles may well have been stalking us as he sped pass again !............All day long period jeeps and bikes and trucks trundled past with the occupants dressed to suit. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Sunday saw a day off the bikes and a taxi into Arnhem to sight see and take it all in. Then back up to the Airborne museum to spend the afternoon drinking fine Dutch beer, speaking with ex Paras , enjoying the sun and generally having a great time, followed again by an excellent dinner. The guy with a handful of pints was a real star.  74 years old but full of beans (and beer)

Monday saw a sunny ride down to Ypres for our last night via a visit to Passendale & Tyne Cot cemetary  , truly a humbling place. We attended the bugle service at the Menin Gate, the whole experience was breath taking. The sheer numbers are hard to make any sense of. Ypres itself was nearly levelled during WW1 but rebuilt brick by brick to the same as before the war. A stunning place.

Tuesday saw our sunshine change to dark skies and rain, .....heavy rain but not on the scale I experienced in Ireland in July.  Got the train again at 1.20 and home by 3.30.  All in, about 1000 miles, without any hitches. A fabulous place to visit; I'd recommend it to anyone

[Rynglieder]

Tahnks for sharing, glad you had a good run.

[Lonewolf]

It sounds like a truly emotional event. Respect to you for going.


Great photos too by the way, I particularly like the one with all the parachutists, it's a timeless photo.

[ray1151]

Great write up and pix, thanks.

If you are staying at Arnhem I would recommend  Hotel Molendal 3-star hotel 
Cronjestraat 15, 6814 AG Arnhem, Netherlands.
Art-noveau masterpiece, and you can leave the bike on the pavement right outside.

We are off to Ypres (again) in a couple of weeks time just for the day, Yser tower on the visiting list this time, and perhaps a few jars in the evening. Go back (or arrive) the slow way via Cassel, really lovely village on the border.

I hope after brexit we'll still be able to get across and back as quickly.