Bergen Belsen

There is not much remaining of the camp now but it was a huge site and it is hard to comprehend what went on there.

Bergen Belsen

I haven't been able to update my blog daily as I was locked out, I think it was due to being in Berlin.

On day three of our tour we visited Bergen Belsen where Anne Frank and her sister were transported to from Auschwitz.  Thousands of people died of hunger and sickness everyday, both Margot and Anne contracted typhus and died within a short time of each other in March 1945, a few weeks before liberation.

Anne Frank's House

Tuesday 26 May, we had to be up at 06.00 this morning as we were leaving the hotel at 08.00 our tour guide was hoping to get to Anne Frank's house for 09.00 - we were a little late but it wouldn't have made any difference there was already a huge queue when we got there.  We ended up waiting around 2 1/2 hours to get in but it was worth the wait.  We were not allowed take pictures inside so I cannot show you what it was like, it must have been very depressing being cooped up without any daylight for over 2 years.

Anne Frank statue

Anne Frank and Oscar Schindler Tour

On Monday 25 May Richard and I started our Ledger Tour, we were picked up at 05.35 by coach and headed off to Dover for our Ferry.  We boarded the ferry around 14.30 and got off in Calais an hour and half later.

It was quite a drive to our hotel in Amsterdam arriving about 23.30: we more or less went straight to bed as we had an early start on the Tuesday morning.

The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh

On the Saturday (13th) we went to The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh in Brecon.  This museum was fabulous and only cost £5 to get in.  We spent 2 hours there and most of the time we spent in the Zulu War section.  It was amazing how much stuff they had from Islandlwana.

Victoria Cross holders from 24th Regiment - Zulu Wars

Zulu Warrior

Playing dress up again

Entrance to Museum

Peterchurch, Hereford

Richard and I have spend the last couple of days in Herefordshire, Peterchurch to be exact.  We stayed at the Boughton Arms which was great as it was just across the road from the cemetery that contained the grave of Private Robert Jones VC.  Richard is very interested in the Zulu war and when he found out about the grave he wanted to visit and pay his respects.

The story of Robert Jones is very sad, he fought in and survived the Zulu war at Rorkes Drift and was awarded the Victoria Cross. With William Jones, he defended one of the wards of the hospital until six of the seven patients had been removed. The seventh man was delirious, and all attempts to induce him to leave were in vain and he was stabbed to death by a Zulu. Robert was 21 at the time of the defence.

Robert Jones died on 6 September 1898 and is thought to have taken his own life, although he is buried in Peterchurch graveyard his grave faces the wrong way and his coffin was taken into the yard over a wall rather than through the gate.  I find it hard to believe that this man would take his own life nearly 20 years after the war, there is an ongoing campaign to have the verdict overturned.

Gravestone of Private Robert Jones

Boughton Arms, Peterchurch

Avebury Stone Circle

The Avenue

It was raining when we visited the stone circle at Avebury but we didn't care.  We had a lovely walk around the stones without too many people there.

We didn't have to pay to walk around and we could get up close and personal.

The Wishing Trees

The Devil's Chair

These trees were beautiful and look like they had been there long before the stones.

Beaulieu

 We went for a cream tea, home made scones and jam with clotted cream, the birds liked it too.

Beaulieu

 This Horse was waiting at the side of the road, we think wanting to cross over.  I was dying to stroke him but I didn't fancy getting a nip.

This was Beaulieu and what a beautiful place, we got there late afternoon so there were not many visitors around which was perfect.

New Forest Ponies

These are wild ponies that live in the New Forest, they can often been seen walking through the streets and they have right of way.  We had seen some of the ponies in a field but I really wanted to see them walking in the streets and I got my wish.  They were fantastic but they can bite and kick so don't get too close.

Lymington

We went for a drive around a few villages in the New Forest.  This was Lymington, a friend had said how nice it was but it was very busy as it was market day.

Stonehenge

The weather was pretty dismal when we went to Stonehenge which was good in one respect as there were not many visitors so we could take our time walking around.

I have to say the stones were much smaller than I thought but it was still a marvel to see them and wonder how on earth they were built.

We had to pay £8 to see them and this was as close as we got - what a rip off.  I dread to think how much it will cost once they build the visitors centre.

Museum of Army Aviation

 This was a lovely morning visiting the museum but I won't be looking for a job flying helicopters.

Westland Scout Helicopter

I had such fun climbing in them though.

Back to the Grind

We had a lovely time in Hampshire and the B&B we stayed at was great.  Very spacious with Alpacas in the garden.

Richard feeding the Alpacas with apples - well its better than grass.

 Outside the Lodge - our B&B

Vimy Ridge

These pictures show the Canadian memorial on Vimy ridge.  It bears the names of over 11,000 names many of whom have no know graves.

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