On Sunday we attended the re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo. We have always wanted to see this since we moved here, let just say I would learn about it a day late…This year I found out about it a day early.We saw 1 200 soldiers in uniform from 12 countries: Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Rumania, Russian, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Ukraine. (Jilaine I would not tell Mel about this)
They had 2 bivouacs: the French at where I don’t know, I couldn't find them and the English-speaking Dutch and the Prussians were at the Hougoumont farm. However most of you know what a bivouac is, I had no idea they were camps. I never got to see the French camp but after the event I thought I was following a French soldier to his camp, only to have the nice solider tell me he was English. Why did he tell me this…because I was a loud American and said "I’m following the French to their camp"…to the dismay of the solider he yelled back at me he was English – why was he walking with Napoleon I may never know.
I must say this was really awesome to see and did not disappoint. They had cannons, rifles and swords. The horses sometimes seamed a little wild and I don’t think I would have liked to been on any of them.
I don’t think I need to explain too much about the battle-everyone knows how it turned out. Enjoy the photos from our day. (most photo taken with telephoto lens)
I don't think this is how they arrived back in the day.
All smiles before the battle and the agony of defeat.
BOOM!
BANG BANG BANG!
The British are coming, the British are coming!
Kate remember the cow purse we saw on the bus-most of the guys had cow packs-I would be a part of the battle just for the back pack.
Ready aim fire!
Bonjour!
4 comments:
Oh I got a huge kick out of that post! I never got to see this while I was in Belgium, perhaps they were not re-enacting it then.
I would have wanted to have been with the French troops in Genappe, if I remember well, so I could hear General Cambronne's response to a plea that he surrender. When I was a properly brought up girl, I wasn't allowed to use rude words and so in moments of high annoyance or anger, we would say "Cambronne" in lieu of the general's crude response, "Merde!".
Glad you enjoyed it...we took over 400 photos of the event it was difficult to narrow it down.
We started watching at the top of the field and went down field to watch the troops re-treat. Had a front row spot for both.
We loved the re-enactment, Dad even
sat still long enough to look at the pictures. The uniforms must have made the show. Love, Mom
I have to say that cow backpack makes a really fine "man bag"! Great photos!!
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