The Gallipoli peninsula was much prettier than expected. With what we see on tv particularly the telecast of the dawn service, we were expecting, well I don't really know.
The first thing....Anzac Cove, it's not where the dawn service is held, this is actually North Beach.
Anzac Cove is actually much smaller and about 400yards away from North Beach.
I don't think you can really prepare yourself for something that has been indoctrinated into your life for your whole life. The first cemetery we come across is in the vicinity of Anzac Cove, and I'm not ashamed to say had me shedding tears. The area all around is dotted with vibrant red poppies. John Simpson is buried here.
We walk along the beach where so long ago so much blood was spilt and it is quite surreal. Having wanted to be here for so long, the stories we heard in childhood all come rushing back.
Onto North Beach, and what strikes us first is the fact that, what looks so big on tv is really not as large as we expected. It is easy to picture all those pilgrims each April 25th, crammed into a relatively small area.
So many names carved into so many walls.
Onward and upward to Lone Pine. The pine tree is back having been destroyed in battle, seeds recovered by Australian diggers and transported to Australia, where there were some planted in Canberra at the war memorial. Propagated from these new trees and transported back to Gallipoli and planted where the original one stood.
And at the going down of the sun.....
your house is in more ruins than these photos,,,,,, kellllllllllllly
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