Commemoration

 This might look like something of a photo dump but I have been trying to find time to sort through my shots from the recent 80th Anniversary Commemorations of the Battle of the Atlantic at Liverpool at the end of May, and now I have done I wanted to share the best of them.

On the day there were flypasts from a small selection of aircraft; an exceptionally rare  Supermarine Seafire, a version of the Spitfire designed for flying from aircraft carriers, a Fairey Swordfish which was a submarine hunter that would fly low and slow before releasing its torpedo ( a tactic that left the crew very vulnerable). My grandad worked on these planes when he was in the Fleet Air Arm during the war. And then of course the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight consisting of a Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and an Avro Lancaster, always a magical sight to see these legendary aircraft in the sky.

Old Masters

 

So I may have gone a little over the top with the number of pictures for today's offering but I couldn't help myself. To be honest I could have shared loads more images of these beautiful flying machines.

This is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight performing a flying display at Rhyl in August. I have been privileged to see these fly on many occasions because I used to live very close to where they are stationed at Coningsby in Lincolnshire. I would hear the sound of the Merlin engines and rush out of the house to see them overhead, it was always a joy.

Of course the history of these aircraft is sad as many pilots were lost and it is a fitting tribute to see these planes preserved. The Lancaster is the only flying example of the plane in the world.

I remember stories that my dad told of watching these planes in action above the south coast of England where he lived during WWII which were exciting and frightening at the same time. 

Rural Churchyard

This is the churchyard of St Mary's church in Kirkby Lonsdale at the end of a rainy day. The clouds look like they are still laden with rain but fortunately it passed by and I was able to enjoy a really nice evening.

Olag IV C

So this evening we are in Dresden, eventually. I had planned on getting here late afternoon and thought I would get some good shots around the city in the evening sun. Unfortunately however we have spent the best part of 6 hours in a traffic jam as a result of flash floods so we arrived late to our hotel and we missed dinner too.

Earlier we broke up our journey by visiting Olag IV C or Colditz as it is better known.
The castle is now a youth hostel and museum but during the second world war it was a prison for allied officers who had escaped from other camps. It was supposed to be impossible to escape from Colditz but at least 30 successful escapes were made from around 300 attempts. There were lots of examples to read in the museum and it is worth reading up on some of them, like the Colditz Cock, which is not what you might think.

Prior to its use as a prison it had been a psychiatric hospital that had played a dark part in the T4 euthanasia program and there was a very fitting and moving memorial to the 84 people who died there.

I have only one picture to share today which is looking up through one of the arches into the courtyard and it is easy to forget the dramatic history when you look at the beautiful architecture. I'm glad we got to stop off here because the castle was well worth a visit and the slice of cake from one of the bakeries in the town square was an added bonus.

Remember Them...

As I walked to work this week I saw the preparations along Whitehall and in Trafalgar Square for this weekends Armistice Day and Remembrance Day parades and I saw many veterans walking along proudly wearing their service medals.

I'm not able to take part in any of the parades or services today but I will still take time to remember the sacrifices and service of so many. Whatever the rights or wrongs of war the willingness and the sacrifices of those who answer the call to serve their country deserves to be recognised and honoured.

I take my hat off to my younger brother who is today on parade in Liverpool.

Lest We Forget

Today is Remembrance Sunday and so my post is in memory of all those who have given their lives , limbs and health in conflict to protect the freedoms that we enjoy.

The pictures today show the cascade of poppies on St George's Hall in Liverpool. It is a beautiful and moving sight and a fitting tribute.

Britannia Bridge

Four more pictures from Anglesey today.  The first is the Britannia Bridge taken from a vantage point on Church Island. I like the gorse in the foreground and the wide expanse of "The Swellies" looking towards the bridge in the distance.

The second picture I have chosen because this weekend marks the 70th anniversary of VE day and the monument commemorates the local men and women who lost their lives during the first and second world wars.

The third picture is of a cluster of Bluebells which were growing in abundance in the churchyard of St Tsyilio's church.  I love the vivid blue colour as it stands out against the fresh green background of lush grass.

I also love the vibrant green of the new foliage in the final picture as it forms a canopy above the woodland floor.

I hope you have enjoyed today's selection.  Look out for more from Anglesey tomorrow.

Capital Views

For today here are a few shots from London.  The first two are of St Paul's Cathedral and the third is a view of the Guards Division Memorial through the archway to Horse Guards Parade.

Although there will be many pictures of these sights I have tried to show them from a different perspective.  I hope you will agree that they are interesting pictures.

In Memoriam

Not much to say today, just two more pictures connected with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

These were taken at the memorial at Thiepval in Northern France.

Remembrance

With today being Remembrance Sunday and as I go to a memorial service I wanted to post early so that this is up for the whole day.  Over the next few days I will post a few more images in commemoration of those who have given so much so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy today.

This particular memorial is above the stairway in the entrance to Fountains Hall and was put as personal tribute to members of the family who had died in service but the sentiment goes out to everyone who made the same sacrifice.