Anzac Day

Having recently visited Gallipoli in Turkey, ANZAC day has taken on a whole new meaning for me. The preparations were well underway two weeks ago when I was in Gallipoli for the ANZAC Day memorial services held today. I've attached a photo taken on Anzac Cove with red chairs set up for the Australian memorial service, in the background you can see a natural landmark that during WW1 the ANZACS referred to as the Sphinx. Isabelle and I also visited the graveyard where John Simpson (the man with the donkey) was buried and were deeply moved to hear an account of his role during the war. When we visited some of the trenches, I was horrified to learn that sections of the Turk trenchline and ANZAC trenchline were only 8 metres apart, and the sad loss of lives from both sides.

I should probably explain as well that the photo of the lone poppy from my previous blog entry was taken on Brighton Beach in Gallipoli. This was the spot where the ANZAC troops had intended to land instead of their ill-fated landing at ANZAC cove.