It was grey yesterday so I took myself back to the cinema to rewatch : La Bataille de Gaulle, Pt 2. A point I'd not picked up on was the scene in England where Americans comment on the number of blacks in Leclerc's 2e DB. The Americans actually stipulated that the division had to be 'blanched'.

I've wanted to use this phrase for so many years. Never thought it would apply to me, but. Happy Birthday to me, "If it ain't out of keeping with the situation". 😊

It's been a very long week or whatever it has been. I have so lost track of time. I have American visitors and in between playing the host I've been trying to prepare something to say at my mother's funeral. This morning that was complicated by the death of my father. Double funeral. ❤️❤️ Eternal.

Happy 4th July to all my British friends. 250 years later we can celebrate that the colonials went their own way 😉

Went over to England Tuesday to visit my father and take him to see my mother in hospital. She wasn't great but managed the odd smile. Came home late last night. She died this morning. Back on Le Shuttle to England. Expecting something doesn't make it easier. So sad 😢😢

I am in the slow process of losing my parents. Probably going to happen within days of each other, which would be sort of nice. They've been married for 73 years ; I don't like the idea of one lingering on for long. It was traumatic enough for my mother going in to hospital on her own.

18th June. Yes I know, "l'appel du général de Gaulle" but Belgian beer takes precedence 😊

Well that went from 22 and sunny, to black and passion very quickly.

I'm in England on a short visit. Yesterday was the first time I'd ever visited my mother in hospital. With the Reform talk going on over here I'll add my tuppence. Without immigrants, that hospital would not be functioning. From nurses to cleaners almost all of them were 'not white English'.

My Canadian visitors wanted some poppies to photograph. These did the trick. Cambrai side of Vis en Artois.

Tomorrow looks like being a big, media day for Dr Jesus. Pentecost is upon us and, in theory, whatever he comes out with, will be (for one of those rare fleeting moments), intelligible to us all. 😛 😛 😛 There again, Ascension passed by without him doing his thing 🙁

I've had an email from the office of the Governor General of Canada telling me that they've overlooked (or in English, are way behind) to send me my certificate for my MSM. 😁 Yay, something else I can hang on the wall. Actually, probably the most important 😁

À short thread on how I've spent the last four months 😁 Last year I gave my neighbour Victor a bust of a Norman knight at Hastings. This year I went for Edward, the Black Prince, at Crécy in 1346. A metal kit that was going to prove a challenge 😁

Yay! Having looked in the mirror, decided that if I was going for another walk this afternoon I'd better use sun cream. It's sunny out there, and warm.

I've now seen so many cows in fields I think I can say spring is here 😁

Clear as a well this afternoon.

It's sunny

As I was putting a wreath on the 48th Highlanders of Canada Cross at Écurie I got chatting to two German vélo tourists. They were looking for the front line, and found just the right man to explain it, from his own info panels. Sometimes you just fall lucky 😉

That slight breeze is very welcome. After the walk up from the trenches my shirt is soaking 😳 Two more hours and the Canadian ceremony will start at the memorial. This is sunglasses weather 😎

The short ceremony at Highland Cemetery, Roclincourt in honour of those who fell 109 years ago.

Made it to Arras for the ceremony. It's chilly but not the minus 4 we had last year. Going to be a long day by the time the Canadians have finished at Vimy late this afternoon.

Tell me ! What day is it ? Why, it's Wednesday sir. We've survived another taco Tuesday 🌮😁

That has been one fabulous, sunny day. Tomorrow (if we are all still here) is supposed to be the same.

Well there's a first for me. Out on an afternoon dander along my French country lanes and I've just had TWO Rolls Royces whisper passed me. Both French registered.

I've been listening to the new album by Monsta X : Unfold. This one is in English ; possibly aimed more at the general pop market than kpop. However, I smiled listening to the opening song 'Heal'. Seems fit for purpose in 26. "How can we, how can we hear the truth When it's never been spoken"

Here we are, 1st April and the press are dreaming up a headline to fool their readers. A comical jest to ease the day.* Meanwhile, back in the real world, batshit, crazy man will be pouring out headlines, that people hope, are not true. * "He's dead" would be in poor taste. So much disappointment.

Was going to rewatch Sisu 2, but settled on watching Chien 51, instead.

Going for a walk before lunch. Let's see what I think of Arirang. 🚶 🎶 😊

I had a really good day on the Chemin des Dames yesterday. That said, this morning my body is saying that, driving for 2.5 hrs to spend 8 hrs battlefielding, with a 2.5 hr drive home is hard going in your seventies 😊

Out for the day on the Chemin des Dames and the Aisne 1918. With 5 Brits. Haven't been down this way in years. And the last time it was pouring with rain.