Leicestershire & Rutland England VIII Chapter
Belgium IX were having there foundation meeting in Kremmel, which is just inside Belgium not far from Ypres and not far from "The Loft" a bikers Motel. So it only seemed fitting that we attended to welcome them into the Blue Knights, drink their beer, go riding with them and spend some time remembering those who had given so much in the previous wars. The countryside there is littered with cemetaries to unknown shoulders from two world wars. Included in the Rally was a trip out to the Last Post ceremony at Ypres. Here they close the road off at the Menin Gate while buglars from the Towns Fire service have played the last post every night since WWI. A short ceremony takes place and wreaths are laid in rememberance of those whose names of more than 54,000 are etched into the walls of the Menin Gate built for especially so they wouldn't be forgotten.
For more info go to Friends of the Last Post
Tom Elliot Eng V & John Maslin Eng VIII wait to lay their wreaths.
Up to 50 bikes on this ride out. There were over 100 split into two groups.
Chapter Presidents welcome Belgium IX.
Names etched into the walls of the Menin Gate
Blue Knights meet at Brugge waiting to be escorted by our Guests
Bikes parked up at the hostel
Gunner at an Allied forces cemetary
We met up with other English Chapters on the Thursday evening at the infamous Loft. a motel for bikers only where they put on live bands and food during the summer months and there is Belgian Beer.
On the Saturday we were given an excellent guided tour of the countryside, but it wasn't all cemetaries. Some of us were given a birds eye view from a helicopter that had been organised. The other group went pony tekking. The food was excellant and bountiful and a BBQ rounded it off.
It was a shame to leave on the Sunday but we have to pay for these trips somehow. Somehow Tony Maslin won a pushbike of all the people. He donated it back to the guests who promised to send it to him but he declined as he has enough push bikes as it is.
