I won't go in to much about the journey out to the Cove other than to say it took all day and that if you ever plan on doing the trip (which you definitely should) sign up with either the Fanatics or Top Deck rather than the cheaper options offered out of London. Anyway, we got to the line outside the ceremony area and you immediately recognise the spooky steep cliff faces that our boys dropped in on. I left the line for a couple snaps of the beach and finally saw first hand where the blood red Poppies originated. In we went and found a place on the already packed grass which turned out quite good really. We were lying in the opposite direction to the hundreds of punters but this allowed perfect drive in style views of one of the big screens which played various documentaries and coverage of the army band all night long.
The weather was perfect! I can imagine just a little breeze coming off the ocean would make the stay a lot less enjoyable (let alone rain) but we had neither. Not much sleep was had though as the documentaries and band were very entertaining along with being surrounded with familiar voices and banter. During the dawn service Rhi and I grabbed a very handy posi on one of the side grandstands. The next hour was something you would fly around the world twice for! Behind the 3 flag poles dimly lit blue lights penetrated out onto the water. Just enough breeze blew to fly the flags and slowly the sun rose. The trumpet played that unforgettable tune, the reefs of roses were laid and even old copper top Gillard got up and sounded decent. Every bloody Aussie and Kiwi there was oozing respect and patriotism and it was like nothing I have seen before. I recommend this event to all and would be glad to do it again. This coming from someone who hasn't got to enough dawn services in the past. This may change I think.
After the ceremony the pilgrimage begins as the several thousand Australian's march up the hills (be that on a lovely paved road most of the way) that the ANZAC's did. The respect and general understanding of what they went through multiples with every step that you take. A couple kilometres up the hill all the Aussies peel off, through the medal detectors and full security setup like the night before into the Lone Pine plateau and the Kiwi's continue on up to their individual ceremony. Lone Pine is a green flat hilltop with 1 big healthy pine tree perched up in its centre. Even with the several grandstands setup for the occasion this place is serious beautiful. A visit to Gallipoli any other time of the year would be just as great. The ceremony and army band transpired and it was as close to home I have felt since leaving almost 1 year ago.
The weather was perfect! I can imagine just a little breeze coming off the ocean would make the stay a lot less enjoyable (let alone rain) but we had neither. Not much sleep was had though as the documentaries and band were very entertaining along with being surrounded with familiar voices and banter. During the dawn service Rhi and I grabbed a very handy posi on one of the side grandstands. The next hour was something you would fly around the world twice for! Behind the 3 flag poles dimly lit blue lights penetrated out onto the water. Just enough breeze blew to fly the flags and slowly the sun rose. The trumpet played that unforgettable tune, the reefs of roses were laid and even old copper top Gillard got up and sounded decent. Every bloody Aussie and Kiwi there was oozing respect and patriotism and it was like nothing I have seen before. I recommend this event to all and would be glad to do it again. This coming from someone who hasn't got to enough dawn services in the past. This may change I think. 
No comments:
Post a Comment