We only had about 60 miles to go to our first POI stop, the Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial in the Somme. As always, a very impressive and well tended site, a fitting tribute to the fallen.
There's an app that guides you to certain points around the site, giving information on a number of the young men killed. The youngest, lied about his age when he enlisted at 16, saying he was 21. He was dead at 17 but had won himself a military cross.
At the far end of the site is the wall of the 'no known grave' chaps, and a huge tower. I climbed up to get a 360 look of the landscape and a birds eye view of the cemetery.
Our second stop was a personal one but one which we have done before, back in 2014, to pay a visit to my grandfather's cousin William, who lost his life on 16th July 1916. He was serving with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI). My third visit.
Our third stop was in the town of Albert. We found a spot to park right in the town square by the Basilica and right by our next destination the Somme 1916 Museum. By now Grizzly was in need of coffee, so we popped into a cafe.
The museum is brilliant and well worth the entrance fee. It's housed in 13th century tunnels that go from underneath the Basilica, 250 metres and exit in the park. They were used to house people during the Second World War, protecting them from bombing, and could hold up to 1500 people.
One of the exhibits housed badges from all the regiments that took part in the Battle of the Somme. Here is the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
Moving on, next up was our fuel stop. This planed stop didn't go to plan however, not because we didn't like the price but because 'computer said no' and rejected our credit cards. We found another supermarket fuel station just up the road, same price, job done!
Next on our agenda, the Pozieres British Cemetery. Another magnificent tribute to those who gave their lives. It is the final resting place of 2753 allied troops and one German. And we never thought to go and find him!
Our final stop, was to the Ulster Tower, a memorial to the Irish soldiers who lost their lives that terrible July in 1916. The tower is built on the spot where they fell.
From the Ulster Tower, we made our way to the IBIS Hotel. As the nearest place to eat is either the hotel itself or McDs across the roundabout (where we'll probably have brekkie), we decided to eat in again.
This was our end of tour meal. Starter, main and lots of beer.
Tomorrow we head for Calais and the tunnel. We have a couple of POIs on the way. Grizzly is hoping to be able to do some duty free shopping when we get there. I reckon I can get another 2 bottles of beer in my pannier bags, so will be looking for a supermarket stop.
One more sleep.
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