DAY 9 - CORBIE to ALBERT (Tuesday 25 April)

This was a day we had been looking forward to for some time,  as we had booked tickets for the Villers-Bretonneux Anzac Day dawn service. We woke up just before 3am, in order to get to the Australian War Memorial at 4am to take our seats for the service. We walked through the streets of Corbie, then joined the throngs heading up the hill, which had been illuminated for our benefit. 

Walking through Corbie in the early hours.  It was cold and wet. 

Joining the throngs on the illuminated pathway to the Australian War Memorial 

On arriving at the memorial, we made our way through passport and ticket checks, and security screening. Then it was a quick detour to the tent where free coffee and croissants were on offer before making our way to our seats for the service. It was cold and wet (please forgive me if you've heard those words before), but the event organisers had provided us all with clear waterproof ponchos. These didn't do much to protect against the cold, but they did help to keep us dry. 

We enjoyed the coffee and croissants on offer . . .

. . . before making our way to our seats

We were dressed for the occasion . . . 

. . . as was just about everyone else there. 

The service was very well done, with lots of personal stories from the Western Front in World War I, some poignant speeches from French and Australian dignitaries,  and just the right amount of pomp and ceremony. It was a highlight of our trip so far,  and highly recommended for anyone contemplating attending this ceremony in the future. 

The French Flag- carriers making their exit after the ceremony

The eager crowd watching the dignitaries leave the ceremony

The happy crowd leaving the memorial after the ceremony

Some of the crowd wandered through the cemetery on the way out

There was a strong Australian element to the Dawn Service.  Most of the speeches and songs were in English, and there were numerous tour groups among the attendees. 

From the service, we headed back to our hotel to have breakfast.  We then checked out, and left Corbie via the GR800 along the Somme River. As on previous days,  the path along the water provided some wonderful reflections, and the opportunity for amateur bird-watchers to indulge their hobby.  We haven't seen any shelducks for a few days now,  but the great crested grebe was out and about again today.  We left the river after a few kilometres at Vaux-sur-Somme, and made a small detour to see the Red Baron memorial. After a successful career as a wartime fighter pilot, the Red Baron was killed when his plane was shot down near here in 1918.

The GR800 between Corbie and Vaux-sur-Somme - more reflections and another great crested grebe. 

This insect house by the GR800 caught the eye of a passing Australian tourist

The Red Baron Memorial,  outside Vaux-sur-Somme 

From Vaux-sur-Somme we walked on mostly quiet country streets and headed to the day's destination at Albert. Apart from a brief stop at the Memorial to 3rd Division of the Australian Army, there was not much to detain us on the way. 

From Vaux-sur-Somme to the 3rd Australian Division Memorial

3rd Australian Division Memorial,  Sailly-le-Sec

On to Albert

The start of the Rue d'Australie, Dernancourt

Some highlights of Albert

Day 9 - Healthy Fruit

Day 9 - Birds

Day 9 - Elevation Profile

Day 9 - Route

Day:  9

Distance: 29.19 km

Walking time:  6 hrs 00 mins

Elevation gain: 409 metres

Cumulative distance:  202.93 km