Wipers

[Cyclefrance]

June is turning out to be a busy month. On Thursday the annual cycle holiday starts and this year we're off to Ypres for another First World War inspired trip. The British troops found many of the towns and cities difficult to pronounce, and in the case of Ypres, the name was turned into Wipers. The other well known name from this region is Plug Street (from Ploegsteert).

Six of us this year - first time we've had so many. There won't be much to report until we get back late on Monday, but the usual website will follow. Paul, my usual cycling companion, and I last did the trip in year 2,000 - pre digital photography. It's an amazing area with plenty to offer in the way of history. Ypres still conducts a daily ceremony at the Menin Gate each evening at 5.00pm when The Last Post is sounded and wreaths are laid by the local firemen and by children from any visiting schools. It is the area that includes the site of one of Britain's most calamitous battles, Passchendaele. In contrast there's the town of Popperinge, several miles behind the front line and the home of Toc H where troops could go for respite from the sounds and sights of battle.

So I hope to provide an interesting website. I've made a very modest start - just an overview map and a picture of our motley crew which you can see here