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Our boys will yarn about this night for years ....
We left Paris in good time and unlike yesterday evening experienced zero traffic problems getting around. The reason for the hassle last night was the fact that today is a public holiday here. Man that was some traffic last night. Even Auckland could compete with that. We stopped for a late brunch in a wonderful French service station which we all agreed matched the Swiss one four days previously. The pastries were heaven!! For Tony and Karyn Cardno we stopped at a little Commonwealth War Cemetery called Motor Car Corner. Containing mostly kiwi soldiers out of its 130 buried there the graves contained one Mr Keenan, a distant relative. In a quiet, peaceful corner of rural Belgium this brave young man was remembered by some of his relatives 96 years later. We moved on and strolled around Tyne Cot War Cemetery north of Yrpes for around an hour. Clearly being educated at Otago Boys’ has the effect of making our young men so respectful of the war dead, especially Old Boys. However, being here gives it extra dimension and resonance. The number of soldiers from all Commonwealth whose gravestones were inscribed with the words “Known unto God” shocked us all. A graveyard of 12000 men numbs the senses despite the warm May sun. At arrival in Ypres we said goodbye to Ray our coach driver. He has been a very positive role model to our boys and they said goodbye in the unique kiwi manner. He has gained their respect the best way, by respecting them. His cool in the pressure of Paris rush hour and the skill and strength of loading the bus each morning are long lasting memories. With an hour or so to explore Ypres which without exception we all loved, we met at the restaurant for tea. Uhhhmm,,, there comes a moment, a feeling when you just need to change tack a wee bit and with the kind help of the restaurant we left after starters and agreed to return there after the Menin Gate Ceremony. Even then we were rushed a little. And within moments we realised we were leading the whole ceremony, aside of the buglers from the local volunteer fire brigade. The Last Post, Henry Hailes reading aloud the Ode, Oli Cathro piping a lament, wreath layers from Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13, the NZ National Anthem and a haka that will live long. The boys made us all cry with pride and joy and the remembrance aspect of the occasion, the main purpose, added even more emotion. Back to the restaurant for mains and dessert and then the boys are still hungry!!!?! Pizza (again!!) and wraps from a local takeaway finally fill some proud stomachs. A day the boys will talk about for years. |