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Anyone interested in a Battle of the Lys trip?

Started by Chris_Baker , Feb 22 2011 06:07 PM

46 replies to this topic

#1 Chris_Baker

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:07 PM

Pals may be aware that my book on the Battle of the Lys is due for publication very soon now. As a celebration, I propose to conduct a tour of the battle area for GWF pals and other friends. I have no firm plan for this yet but my initial thinking goes along these lines
- a two day tour
- pals make their own travel arrangements so can extend this as they wish
- I'd be looking at Varlet Farm or Ypres area to stay (a bit of a drive to/from the battlefield) or as an alternative, Bethune
- we travel as a mini convoy
- I do the guiding
- we meet up in the evening (or if pals have other plans, not)
- we make a nominal charge for the two days with all funds raised going to GWF
- perhaps late spring or autumn this year.

Anyone interested? Anyone got views on timing or any other points?

#2 ianw

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:34 PM

Chris,

Certainly interested.

Regards Ian

#3 Keith Roberts

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:14 PM

Definitely Interested. I'm aiming to retire about Easter so my time will be my own for the first time in forty or so years.

Keith

#4 Jonathan Saunders

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:29 PM

I'm very interested if dates work.

Regards,

Jonathan S


#5 RoyEvans

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:32 PM

Very interested.

Roy

#6 joanbelge

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:11 PM

I and my family would be very interested, my great uncle was killed in April 1918 at Dranouter. We will be in the area at end of May, during school half term
Joan

#7 Tom Tulloch-Marshall

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:39 PM

Chris - I've PMd' (You'll be overjoyed to hear  :lol:  )
Tom

#8 armourersergeant

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Posted 23 February 2011 - 07:42 AM

I would be interested but I have used up all my 'good boy' credits for this year to go to the Somme in April.

Looking forward to the book though.

Regards
Arm

#9 Dawleyjockey

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Posted 23 February 2011 - 08:38 AM

I would be interested, Dates allowing
Dave

#10 SWorrall

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Posted 23 February 2011 - 09:07 AM

Very interested, date dependent.

Simon.

#11 Chris_Baker

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Posted 23 February 2011 - 09:22 AM

I'll pin down some possible dates.

#12 burlington

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Posted 23 February 2011 - 11:56 AM

Chris

I am interested BUT may travel sans voiture, if you see what I mean.  Much depends on the dates.

Seriously, if you intend to stay in or near Bethune, Le Cottage is a nice place to stay BUT quirky to say the least of it. If you like the look of it, check that they provide their superb meals ALL evenings throughout your stay. I was there for 4 nights last year and of 2 of them no meals were served because of festivals, holidays etc.

Please keep us posted.

Regards

Martin

#13 Ice tiger

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 06:24 PM

Chris

Very interested; dependant on dates

Andy

#14 brucehubbard

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Posted 24 February 2011 - 09:42 PM

Ayesha says we are interested!

Since I drive a Galaxy, we could take 3 or 4 others on the two days, so making the convoy a little smaller and easier to control.

Bruce

#15 Mark Abbott

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Posted 25 February 2011 - 07:56 AM

I would certainly be interested depending on dates.

Mark

#16 egbert

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Posted 25 February 2011 - 10:02 AM

I am definitely very interested t o participate, but am busy until mid May with other projects. If one of your suggested dates fit into my schedule I am in for the Schlacht an der Leie

#17 SWorrall

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Posted 25 February 2011 - 10:23 AM

View Postbrucehubbard, on 24 February 2011 - 09:42 PM, said:

Ayesha says we are interested!

Since I drive a Galaxy, we could take 3 or 4 others on the two days, so making the convoy a little smaller and easier to control.

Bruce

I have a Prius and could carry a couple of people.
A couple of pickups on the way down from Manchester, perhaps.

Simon.

#18 Staffsyeoman

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 08:46 AM

Yep, the two of us interested, again date dependent.

#19 Ice tiger

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 09:48 AM

View Postbrucehubbard, on 24 February 2011 - 09:42 PM, said:

Since I drive a Galaxy, we could take 3 or 4 others


View PostSWorrall, on 25 February 2011 - 10:23 AM, said:

I have a Prius and could carry a couple of people.

Dependant on the dates chosen, I will have spare seats in my Jaguar for anyone local(ish) to Surrey/South London.

#20 John W

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 12:08 PM

Depending on dates I would be very interested as would Lynda

#21 stiletto_33853

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 12:18 PM

Dependent on dates but certainly interested.

Andy

#22 MartinBennitt

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 01:56 PM

indeed interested with similar provisos. I have a few days holiday I must take by the end of May or lose, and Mrs B will be working, so looks ideal

cheers Martin B

#23 LST_164

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Posted 26 February 2011 - 04:34 PM

Tentatively interested, depending on dates & getting lift.

LST_164

#24 MartinBennitt

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Posted 28 February 2011 - 05:54 AM

just a suggestion -- the weekend of April 29, away from all the hysteria?  

cheers Martin B

#25 Keith Roberts

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Posted 28 February 2011 - 05:29 PM

A nice thought Martin, but I suspect that all weekend break options will have been booked already. Can't imagine why so many people would want to be away that weekend.

Keith
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