TerryandKenViaFrancigena2022

DAY 14. Bethonsart to Vimy Ridge to Arras – this ground has been fought over and you can see the signs everywhere. 35 km today.

Vimy Rodge is not on the VF (although we crossed it) but as we were within 10 km of Vimy and had the bikes, we felt we should go. 3rd time visiting.

The view from our window.
The town church was constructed in 1247 and its steeple is “crocheted”. All of the stones sticking out from the steeple are little animals or fantasy figures. A few of the originals are in the church.
No gargoyles, Ruth.
Little Black Devils. The Winnipeg Rifles.
Our host Christine gave us a tour of the different carvings. She has a booklet of them all. Her house is designated as a historical building yet it is also a working farm…tricky business.
We were once again the first Canadian pilgrims on bicycles…but not the first Canadians.
Here we go again! But only for a kilometer and the last farm track of the day.
The chalet I had originally tried booking.
Mont St Eloi. Sits across the plain from Vimy Ridge and easily visible from there. Was once the largest abbey but during the French “reformation” it was turned into a quarry for its stone. Only the 2 towers remain, one of which was badly damaged by the Germans as it was a highly strategic observation tower during the war.
Vimy. The most beautiful memorial of all. Hitler stood here and decreed that it should not be harmed because it did not glorify war but instead mourned loss.
This is actually a piece of Canada. The French deeded the land to Canada in recognition of the Canadians turning the war in this historic battle. Many argue that Vimy was the beginning of Canadian nationalism. My boys’ many-greats grandfather was a medic at Vimy.
Much of the park is pitted from the shelling and you aren’t allowed to leave the paths because of potential unexploded shells. They use sheep to “mow” the areas.
We were so hungry by the time we got to Vimy, as there were no stores or eating places along the way, so I got these from the vending machine and pretended I was having spaghetti.
Memorials to the Canadians in random places. We had to go looking for this one in a small village. Commemorates the crash of a Halifax bomber crewed by Canadians shot down during WW2 on the edge of the village. The villagers wanted to give the crew a proper burial, the Germans did not…but the mayor prevailed.
The story.
And on to Arras. These buildings were completely destroyed during the war but he facades were rebuilt as exact replicas.
I crashed a wedding in the square.
Back on the VF.
A dozen or so chess tables set out in the plaza.
A lending library on one side.
A lending herb garden on the other. What an innovative idea.
The magnificence of this building and its door are not indicative of our spartan room in this Catholic diocesan retreat house. More like dorm room but the shower was bigger than the usual bread box and the meal was hearty and very good…so…bonus!

I came back from my walk to find the doors locked and there is no receptionist. Tried to call Ken as he had the key. No luck. Figured he was snoozing. But luckily the gate to the interior car park was open as was the back door, which I had found out about when we stashed our bikes. But up at room? No Ken. Hmmm. Did he go looking for a bar? No answer on his phone. But after an hour…is he lost? But he finally showed up. He was waiting for me in the street…he went out the front door as I came in the back! 😁

Considering we walked through old battlefields, including Neuville-St-Vaast where the ChristmasTruce happened, the song of the day is about soldiers discovering their brotherhood. Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon.

terryzitnak

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