roel22 Posted 23 October , 2020 Share Posted 23 October , 2020 Unfortunately only for those who read Dutch: an article about a tree growing on the Ypres ramparts that somehow managed to survive two world wars. The shells of WW1 didn't destroy it, neither did the Ypres population in WW2 in their search for firewood (people were afraid the tree might fall on the houses trying to cut it down). Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 23 October , 2020 Admin Share Posted 23 October , 2020 Also mentioned in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 23 October , 2020 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2020 Thanks Michelle, I should visit the forum more often! Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 23 October , 2020 Share Posted 23 October , 2020 Roel, this really helps, it's a really good picture in the paper which identifies exactly where the tree is. I wasn't entirely sure so thanks for posting this. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 23 October , 2020 Share Posted 23 October , 2020 I also was not entirely sure where it was, but it's clear now. So thanks from me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 24 October , 2020 Share Posted 24 October , 2020 A great story, and a nice thing to point out to unknowing family members next time we're out there... we were supposed to visit the Kazematten next week... that was before this "second wave" ... M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 24 October , 2020 Share Posted 24 October , 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Marilyne said: A great story, and a nice thing to point out to unknowing family members next time we're out there... we were supposed to visit the Kazematten next week... that was before this "second wave" ... I think that 'when all of this is over' we should all arrange to meet up by the chestnut, and then walk down to the waffle shop by the Cloth Hall............ Look after yourself in the meantime. Pete. Edited 24 October , 2020 by Fattyowls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 24 October , 2020 Share Posted 24 October , 2020 1 hour ago, Fattyowls said: I think that 'when all of this is over' we should all arrange to meet up by the chestnut, and then walk down to the waffle shop by the Cloth Hall............ Look after yourself in the meantime. Pete. That's more than a date, Pete. That's a promise!! Brilliant idea!! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 24 October , 2020 Share Posted 24 October , 2020 1 hour ago, Fattyowls said: we should all arrange to meet up by the chestnut, By “all” can I be included, nice to put a name to a face😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 13 hours ago, Fattyowls said: I think that 'when all of this is over' we should all arrange to meet up by the chestnut, and then walk down to the waffle shop by the Cloth Hall............ Look after yourself in the meantime. Pete. Hmmm....I might have to rethink my decision to put an end to my overseas travels - sounds like a great idea to 'party crash' - though I doubt we 'downunders' will be flying anywhere for a long, long time yet!! Although we (in lockdown land) have recently moved from our 5km radius from home to 25km...yippee!! Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 20 hours ago, Knotty said: By “all” can I be included, nice to put a name to a face😁 is this the "sunday morning - not yet out of bed and haven't had any coffee yet" question??? OF COURSE!!! the more the merrier... @frev: just read a funny thing about Aussies being allowed 30 to a funeral but only 5 for Christmas... so best have a funeral for your pet turkey who tragically past away on December 25th.. Here in Belgium right now you're better off in Flanders than Wallonia and Brussels... In Brussels weddings are only with the witnesses, in Flanders at least the parents may be present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knotty Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Marilyne said: is this the "sunday morning - not yet out of bed and haven't had any coffee yet" question??? Na that was Saturday afternoon before I settled into having a tipple or two in the evening, perfectly sober 🤣🤣 Edited 25 October , 2020 by Knotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 1 minute ago, Knotty said: perfectly sober 🤣🤣 oh that's why.... M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 Apart from the two WW1 photos of the chestnut tree that I posted here https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/285739-old-chestnut-a-survivor-of-ypres/?tab=comments#comment-2943849 I also found this one, 1915, less damaged than the other two (one of which was Febr. 1919). Again : looking from near the west side (market side) of the Menin Gate and facing the Kauwekijnstraat and Lange Torhoutstraat. Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 25 October , 2020 Share Posted 25 October , 2020 9 hours ago, Aurel Sercu said: I also found this one, 1915, less damaged than the other two Another great photo Aurel, thank you. From the bareness of the trees and the lack of obvious shell damage I'm assuming this is early in 1915, it makes an interesting sequence. 18 hours ago, frev said: sounds like a great idea to 'party crash' You, along with Roel, Aurel, Mr S, Mr K and Major M will be extremely welcome. You and Marilyne have lots in common; I'll just say photographing the Cross of Sacrifice through the gateway at Le Trou Aid Post and leave it at that. You look after yourself in the meantime. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 26 October , 2020 Share Posted 26 October , 2020 Fattyowls, You wrote : "From the bareness of the trees and the lack of obvious shell damage I'm assuming this is early in 1915, it makes an interesting sequence." That's correct. And another element : There are civilians, and those who were still in Ypres, were evacuated in the first week of May 1915, two or weeks after the German gas attack of 22 April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 26 October , 2020 Share Posted 26 October , 2020 3 hours ago, Aurel Sercu said: That's correct. Thanks Aurel, that doesn't happen to me very often. I quite like the idea that when we all meet by the chestnut tree on the ramparts we stand and look up Kauwekijnstraat as it is today and compare the photos. Provided that it is possible to do that without standing in the way of the traffic of course. Then we can walk to the waffle place by the Cloth Hall where I will attempt to eat my own body weight in fresh waffles. Pete. P.S. Send my best to Madam Sercu, but don't tell her about the standing in the road looking up Kauwekijnstraat plan. She'll think we are all mad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurel Sercu Posted 26 October , 2020 Share Posted 26 October , 2020 3 hours ago, Fattyowls said: P.S. Send my best to Madam Sercu, but don't tell her about the standing in the road looking up Kauwekijnstraat plan. She'll think we are all mad. Which proves that (again, as always) she is ... right !.... :-) (But I never tell her !) Aurel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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