Remembering at Vimy

Remembering at Vimy

On Canada Day 2014 I had the privilege of visiting the Vimy Ridge National Historic Site of Canada. I was doubly fortunate as Virginie, my airbnb host in Arras, understanding how important it was for a Canadian to visit Vimy, offered to take me there when neither a tour nor public transit was an option for that day. 

It was not far by car, only 11 kilometres. Once off the main road we drove along a tree shaded lane and into the 107-hectare park that France gifted to the Canadian people. The monument was our first stop, where a blue sky and a slight breeze made for ideal viewing. Shortly before 10 am only two other visitors were there. We also visited the small visitor centre and museum and the trenches.

Canadian trenches at Vimy Ridge

The Vimy Memorial is magnificent. With two soaring columns and 20 allegorical figures, all in white marble, it is inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadians who were killed on French soil and have no known graves. We found the name of a friend of my maternal grandfather. They were homesteaders and neighbours in rural Alberta; my grandfather survived WWI but his friend did not.

Some of the names of 11,285 Canadians killed on French soil with no known graves

I would wish for all Canadians the opportunity to see this moving memorial, so important in the history of our nation.

Hostelling again

After I introduced a fellow traveller to airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/, he recommended Booking.com http://www.booking.com/ so I used it to book a hostel for my next stop. The Pil Pil Hostel in Bilbao had space and good reviews and I booked for 3 nights. 

At the Pil Pil Hostel in Bilbao, Spain

Arriving by bus from Madrid, a 5 minute walk brought me to the hostel where a friendly staff member checked me in and oriented me to the facility. It was light, bright and clean. In the large 12 bed female dorm (6 upper bunks and 6 lower) I got crisp, white sheets to make up my bed and a locker to store my valuables – my computer bag and purse fit but not my suitcase. 

When I realized the tram ran in front of the building I had been a bit worried but it seems to stop for the night and start again in the morning at reasonable hours. I have had two very quiet, restful nights at the hostel, unlike my last two nights in central Madrid on the weekend. 

Not surprisingly, so far I am clearly the oldest person here but the young people are friendly. I have chatted with several from various countries, including a few who are walking the Camino de Santiago. 

It has been a few years since I stayed in hostel dorms; the last time I recall was 2005 in Sydney and the Blue Mountains when I was travelling alone in Australia. A decade ago my husband, son and I had a room with 2 sets of bunks at the YMCA in Munich, Germany.

http://www.hostels.com/hostels/munich/cvjmymca-muenchen/709 

Two years ago my sister, her husband and I found our 3-bed room in a new wing of Oslo's HI Haraldsheim hostel a good way to cope with Norway's high prices.

http://hihostels.no/en/hostel/oslo-hostel-haraldsheim/ 

Breakfast room at the Pil Pil Hostel

So far my experience at the Pil Pil Hostel has been very positive and the price was right. With an advance booking I got 3 nights for 45 euros, which includes a continental breakfast. When I added an extra night due to a change in travel plans I was charged the regular price of 19,90 euros. I may try this again elsewhere.

Celebrating the solstice with music in Madrid

In Spain's capital city on a day with no agenda – what to do? A blue sky and 27⁰ C with a refreshing breeze made perfect conditions for wandering in Madrid’s magnificent, leafy Parque del Retiro. 

Parque del Retiro in Madrid, Spain's capital city

Suddenly birdsong had competition from human singing. A few minutes’ walk brought me to a shady clearing among the huge trees where a choir was performing for an appreciative audience. I had happened upon a choir marathon, one of Madrid's events for European Music Day, which coincides with the summer solstice. 

Coro Galileo sings in Madrid's Choir Marathon for European Music Day

Over a few hours I heard four choirs in concert then left to meet some new friends for drinks and tapas. A glorious day – summer is here!

Honouring valour

D-Day Stone in Portsmouth, England

“This is a sad time isn’t it? I didn’t smile” said the boy of about 8 to his grandmother. We were in the crowd attending today’s D-Day Remembrance Service at the D-Day Stone on the Southsea Esplanade in Portsmouth, the place of embarkation for thousands of service personnel on their way to France 70 years ago. After the readings, prayers and laying of wreaths to honour those who died during the D-Day landings, there was a parade of military participants along the esplanade. A number of school groups were in attendance.

Veterans parade after Remembrance Service

My visit to the English city of Portsmouth has fortunately coincided with the 70th anniversary commemoration of D-Day and I have been able to take in some of the activities. Portsmouth has dedicated 4 days to recognize the historic event. Yesterday I was delighted to see the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team display. Each day there are displays, activities and exhibits near the War Memorial at Southsea Common, a huge open area along the seafront.

RAF Red Arrows display June 5th at Portsmouth

More than 650 British veterans have travelled to Normandy for the memorial there. From June 6, 1944 to the conclusion of the Battle of Normandy at the end of August that year, an estimated 110,000 on both sides plus an estimated 20,000 French civilians died as a result of the fighting.