Heavy rain most of the day. The steel grey low sky cast a somber pall over the Commonwealth Cemeteries that flank the Via Franchigena. The fallen lie here on land donated by France to create the illusion of home, carefully looked after, to memorialize their sacrifice during WW1. It is a moving tribute, simple in its focus on the individual, without traces of the heroic monumentalism that often accompanies war memorials but leaving unanswered the question of why the sacrifice necessary or even proper. A squabble between the grandchildren of Queen Victoria and a geriatric leadership in Europe escalated with the purpose and intent of a runaway train. Knowing what we do now what could have and should have been done to avoid the four-year orgy of slaughter?
Anyhow, the sun shone at the end of the day.
Walking the Via Francigena 
I am in awe of you two! I think that I would’ve given up on the outskirts of Canterbury! I always find that part of France indescribably sad. I feel the ghosts. What a pointless waste of life. I hadn’t realised there was a Mancunian cemetery. My maternal grandfather was a dispatch rider throughout the entire four years of the war. The fact that he survived and is not buried in that very cemetery is a miracle in itself. I hope the rain clouds dissipate and the sunshine shines on you tomorrow. Lyndsey x
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Unfortunately history repeats itself …. over and over again. You are both looking good
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