Devils Own Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Hi Everybody We are nipping over for a couple of hours on the Somme tomorrow. Its our first trip. Is there a limitation to what you can see on a Sunday, i.e. are things closed? Also, are Newfoundland park, Thiepval memorial, Lochnagar crater and High Wood readily signposted and easy to find? Any help appreciated. Thanks. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Steve, All the sites you mention are 'open' sites and accessible all the time except High Wood itself which is private property and access not possible. There are visitor centres at Thiepval and Newfoundland - cannot remember if these open Sundays - someone will post soon I am sure. The vast majority of museums and other visitor centres are shut Sunday (and most Monday) in France. Sunday lunch is still a big family tradition in France and unlike here everything shuts down. The main sites are not difficult to find but I would advise picking up a Somme map or guidebook before you go or at any of the tourist sites. The main newsagent in Albert is open Sunday mornings for maps etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan and Terry Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 If you take the road from Albert to Bapaume D929 you will see all the signposts along the way for Thiepval.Lochnager and lots of other sites including Beaumont Hamel,they are all left turns on the road heading towards Bapaume.From Newfounland Park it is not far to Serre and the Sheffield Memorial Park,well worth a visit,so much to see,a couple of days is not enough,never mind acouple of hours.If you get time,call in at Avrils place and try and get down the cellars,also tell her Joan and Terry send their regards. I am sure you will enjoy your visit to the Somme no matter how long the stay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilkokcl Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 There are visitor centres at Thiepval and Newfoundland - cannot remember if these open Sundays Thiepval visitor centre is open on Sundays Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Steve, Forgot to say, Paul Reed's website should help you. http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/somme_in_day.htm With Mark's post above I would make Thiepval your first step as you can then pick up some excellent tourist office publications with guided routes etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBI Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Might be advisable to take a cold box with you filled up with Food & water..dont forget your waterproofs either !!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Own Posted 9 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2006 Thanks everybody. We didn't go in the end as one of the fellas picked up a bug. We have re-scheduled for next Saturday, when more things should be open. Is it possible to look around any of the woods? I would really like to see what the atmosphere is like. Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew Posted 9 October , 2006 Share Posted 9 October , 2006 Is it possible to look around any of the woods? I would really like to see what the atmosphere is like. Delville Wood, don't forget Newfoundland Memorial Park. Most of the woods are private and are a no go area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 9 October , 2006 Share Posted 9 October , 2006 As Steve says almost all the natural woods in the Somme area are privately owned and any access must be nogotiated with the landowner. As we all know this does not stop many people from entering the woods which are easily accessible. Bear in mind that the hunting season is now well under way and many woods have managed areas for this purpose. It is a brave (stupid ) person who comes between a Frenchman with a shotgun and his prey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle bill Posted 9 October , 2006 Share Posted 9 October , 2006 yes, an Englishman's head stuffed and mounted in the local 'salle des fetes' would look very good next to the boar and deer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withcall Posted 9 October , 2006 Share Posted 9 October , 2006 Is it possible to look around any of the woods? I would really like to see what the atmosphere is like. As far as I remember, there's a perfectly accessible track down from Longueval through Trones Wood - it shouldn't bring you into any conflict with Les Chasseurs. Also, if you take the track down Death Valley past the Wesh Dragon and on to Flatiron Copse Cemetery, you walk in the shadow of Mametz Wood, and get a real feel for how brooding it is, without needing to go right into it. You can also walk up through the woods from the end of Blighty Valley cemetery, and you come out near the Leipzig Redoubt. In twenty years of walking, I've never once been stopped or shouted at - the worst that ever happened was that a farmer asked me if I was lost, and when I showed him my map and demonstrated that I knew where I was, he was fine. If you want some map copies, send me a PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 10 October , 2006 Share Posted 10 October , 2006 Regarding the Lochnagar crater, you won't see that name on the signposts... Look for signs to "La Grande Mine", off the Albert-Bapaume road, near the village of La Boisselle. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Own Posted 13 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2006 Thanks for the advice everybody. We are planning to go tomorrow now. I have an 1915 SMLE deac. registered to the 2nd Manchesters. So we will first check out the Leipzig Redoute where it, quite possibly, saw some action. Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Own Posted 13 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2006 Hi everybody Does anybody know if there are any tanks at any of the Somme battlefield centres? Also, my young lad likes to wear a Connaught Rangers cap and badge (most of the time, in fact). Is the general opinion that it would be disrespectful to wear this at the battlefields? Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted 13 October , 2006 Share Posted 13 October , 2006 Plenty of Aussie visitors wear badged slouch-hats around the battlefields without comment and no disrespect, so I cant see a problem. And don't forget the non- serving re-creation lads in the full kit marching around; it's all rememberance after all. Especially when it's a young fella. Good on 'im. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burlington Posted 13 October , 2006 Share Posted 13 October , 2006 Just be a bit careful. It is the shooting (wildlife variety) season now and on Saturday the shooters (human) are all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 13 October , 2006 Share Posted 13 October , 2006 shooters (human) As opposed to? shooters (animal) now that i would love to see. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBI Posted 13 October , 2006 Share Posted 13 October , 2006 Take your Waterproofs with you,and if Parking up,put all your valuables out of view,probably the Boot would be best,and lastly if going off the beaten track,watch out where you park..got stuck myself a few years back...Have a Great Trip !!!!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew Posted 13 October , 2006 Share Posted 13 October , 2006 yes, an Englishman's head stuffed and mounted in the local 'salle des fetes' would look very good next to the boar and deer. Only if it's Paul Robinson or Steve Maclaren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 14 October , 2006 Share Posted 14 October , 2006 Does anybody know if there are any tanks at any of the Somme battlefield centres? Only the four miniature ones around the base of the tnak memorial at Pozieres (almost opposite the water tower on the NE edge of Pozieres that has the Oz soldiers painted on it!). The only tanks I have seen are some rusty ones at the Fort de Seclin, south of Lille, but I can't remember if they are WWI or WWII. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 17 October , 2006 Share Posted 17 October , 2006 Travel a bit further to the Cambrai sector and Tank D51 Debora is to be seen, she is as she rose from the mud a few years ago, she will take your breath away! Managed legal access to High Wood early last year. I do not speak French and got no where with my request, I even got the cold shoulder, which is probably understandable, due to the many un invited Brits that the owners chase out! Came back with my French speaking wife and even managed to get a short guided tour to the mine crater and back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 17 October , 2006 Share Posted 17 October , 2006 Chris, who/how did you arrange access to the tank please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 17 October , 2006 Share Posted 17 October , 2006 Max, if you google D51 DEBORAH or The Flesquaires Tank, you should get Phillipes contact details. The tank is on display and private parties are catered for! You won't regret it! Another forum member may well now post direct contact or even the web site details if they have it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils Own Posted 18 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 18 October , 2006 Thanks for the details everybody. It was a beautiful day last Saturday. We had a really great 3 hours at Thiepval, Newfoundland and Lochnagar. We will return on another day soon. Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 18 October , 2006 Share Posted 18 October , 2006 Thanks Chris, much appreciated - I'll try and get over there next time in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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