Email from Denise Hunt  following a Somme Self-Drive tour October 2011

Dear James,

Just a note to say thank you once again for a superbly organised trip. 

We attended the 45minute Armistice ceremony at Thiepval which was very moving, they had a Police band and small parade, made all the more moving and atmospheric by the very misty weather.

The sombre mood was relaxed by singing La Marseilles at the end, in French, thankfully with  words on the hymn sheet provided, not that we managed to stay in line with the music but it was fun trying! 

We also found my great grandfathers grave which was emotional, as my friend said the sheer volume of graves and deaths is staggering so to find one to whom you can relate is really quite something. 

Mr Stanley had never been to France before and remains in a state of awe at the whole Somme experience and I know will be wanting to return, as will we. 

The hotel was super, the owners and their family were welcoming, friendly and very helpful.

We ate there on 2 nights, food was excellent, and on the other night in the brassiere next door, where the food and service were good also.

The 2 nearest Tabacs were very welcoming the Highlander and the one opposite next to the Basilica.

So we had a super time and thank you once again for the impressive organisation, everything went according to plan.

Look forward to the next time.

Denise Hunt

---

Email from Hugo Barreca (USA)  following a Somme Self-Drive tour September 2011

Dear James,

You told me that you do not solicit letters from your clients, and so here is one offered up in praise of your self-drive package tour of the Somme region that I took last month.

The guide and accompanying materials were excellent, and I am convinced that without them at hand I would have had half the experience that I otherwise did enjoy. 

One item that I might offer up that might be of interest to you and some of the potential future clients -- I did not necessarily follow your suggested itinerary, but took a more ad-hoc route through the area.  Luckily, once I arrived at any given location it was very easy to find the related materials in your package and take it from there, and then even just follow your suggested route from that point forward, or take further deviations as desired. 
I also took some side trips to the Abbey of Valliores and other gardens that were brought to my attention though the brochures that you sent along with your tour package.  Those were delightful and a sort of mental break from the intensity of the battlefields.

I have recommended your tour to others and am glad to so so in future.

Hugo Barreca

---

Email from Philip Edmeades following a Ypres Self-Drive tour September 2011

Dear James

Many thanks. We had an excellent trip - with very pleasant (if not authentic) weather. All worked out well with the hotel, visits and our general education about the battles of Ypres. 

Best wishes

Philip  

---

Email from Vernon Everitt following a Somme & Ypres Self-Drive tour October 2011

Dear James,

I have only now found the time to let you know that my Father and I had a memorable trip in September.  
The weather was perfect for all our exploration with your excellent guides, the hotels were great (particularly the Ariane) and the whole package could not have been better.

We visited Grevillers where my Father's Great Uncle James is buried.  An idyllic setting which was so peaceful it seemed like someone had decided that the violence and horror these men had seen had to be put right somehow.  We stayed 4 hours with James and even had lunch and a small beverage with him.  It was hard to leave.  And I'm sure there is still a lot of ground we have yet to cover, particularly in the Somme area, despite having very full days.  You were right that the time just seems to ebb away.

Thank you for your guidance in putting this all together - neither of us will forget the trip and it was every bit as moving and fascinating as you said it would be.

Kind regards,

Vernon

---

Email from Mr T Hallett following a Somme Self-Drive tour October 2011

Dear James

Just a quick email to say that my father and I had an excellent trip to the Somme.  Everything was superbly organised and convenient - in fact, we arrived early at Dover and got on the 0815 ferry, so effectively had almost a full day on our first day

Having had the coach party experience when I was 18, I must say that the freedom/solitude of your self-guided tour was much appreciated.  Lots of memories spring to mind.  In particular, on a rather solemn day, we found the sunken lane near to Beaumont-Hamel and read Andrew Motion's poem, "The Death of Harry Patch" - I will send that to you in case you haven't read it - which was a very moving experience indeed in that setting.  Especially as the lane (and White City behind it) of course can be easily identified in Malins' film on 1 July 1916 - in particular that still frame of the Lancs Fusiliers waiting to go over from the sunken lane shortly before Zero is a rather haunting image that still sticks in my mind.  I also found La Boiselle/Ovilliers to be a really stark visual reminder of the huge task - and ground to cover - that the troops faced.  The trench maps were fantastic and actually without those (as with coach parties) it is rather difficult to make out what went on. 

Pleased to report that the hotel we stayed in (Royal Picardie) was good - we actually ate in town (at the other hotel, the Basillica, I think) in the square each night - the food was superb.  Was pleased to meet Avril Williams and her rather large black cat, as we enjoyed a lunch there in the sun one day.  I shall definitely return I think to Albert as there is no doubt more to see and take from the experience.

I'll send through some photos when I get the chance as I think you mentioned that these might be useful.

All in all it was a trip that will stay in my memory for some time, and I am indeed currently reading a number of interesting books on the Somme as a direct influence of the tour.

Kind regards

Tom

---

Email from Mr & Mrs Simpson (Australia) following a Somme and Ypres Self-Drive tour September 2011

Hello James,

Just a note to say we are now back from our Somme and Ypres trip and want to thank you for the excellent experience we had! Lots of information and all beautifully paced - we covered a lot of ground without rushing through anything. A deeply moving and thoroughly enjoyable experience,

excellent work!

kind regards

Marjo and Graham Simpson

---

Email from Abby Oates following a Ypres and Somme Self-Drive tour September 2011

Dear James

My Dad and I just wanted to send you our thanks for a really excellent trip to Ypres and the Somme last week. Our 2 guides Iain and Jacques were both so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and really enabled us to gain a good understanding of the context and our relatives' experiences during WW1.  We have thanked them both very much.

The hotels also served us really well, and the documentation you provided was top notch.

With very best wishes

Abby Oates

---

Email from Patrick Shepherd following a Ypres Self-Drive tour July 2011

Dear James, 

This is just to thank you and Genevra for organising and then Jacques for guiding us on what proved to be an exceptionally interesting three days. The arrangements worked perfectly and the hotel was very comfortable, we particularly enjoyed sampling the beer!  

Jacques was an excellent guide, his knowledge being encyclopaedic, he managed to give colour and interest everywhere he took us to. 

On our third day we were on our own, which we managed to fill comfortably, even getting over to the ww2 V2 site at Wizernes. 

Many thanks again and I'm sure that we will be back for a tour of the Somme. 

Kind regards 

Patrick.

---

Email from Neil Laidlaw following a Somme & Ypres Self-Drive tour June 2011

James,

Just to let you know I had a great time on the tour and the information you supplied was detailed, clear, concise, informative and provided great reading. The time I spent in France and Belgium really opened my eyes what the soldiers went through in WW1, especially my Great Grandfather.  Thank you again for organising my trip, everything went smoothly and the time went far too quickly.

Best wishes,

Neil Laidlaw

---

Email from Ian Walker following a Somme & Ypres Self-Drive tour June 2011

Dear James, 

I have just returned from a three (14-16 June) Day tour of the Somme and Ypres Salient Battlefields, and feel I must write and tell you how much your very detailed and professionally laid out information and direction itinerary packs ensured that my trip turned out to be the tremendous experience it ultimately became.  

You handled my initial inquiries in the utmost professional, courteous and friendly manner, and your advice was very much appreciated.

I stayed at Avril William's guest house on the Somme and the Albion Hotel in Ypres and found them both to be very welcoming, friendly and generous with advice and information (if anybody stays at Avril's and time allows ask her to show you the trenches at the back of her house, the cellar which was used as a dressing station/aid post during the battle and also her museum - all very interesting and a really moving experience). 

Highlights? Where do i start? Probably the gpval Wood (ask at the Ulster Towuided tour of the trenches in Thieer), and the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres - very moving. 

In summary the information/directions in both the packs is incredibly clear and very easy to understand and use, and i would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your company to anybody planning a tour of these areas. 

Many Many Thanks  

Ian Walker

---

Email from Mike KYLE following a Somme & Ypres Self-Drive tour April 2011 (received 14.6.11)

Hi James

I'm sorry that, what with work, family and other events on returning from our Battlefield Tours, I've not got round to thanking you for your help and support for our tour of France & Belgium on the w/e of 29 April.

[...]

Your comprehensive information was quite brilliant and we all had a wonderful and moving time.

The hotels were excellent. The only downside being that, in our booking the hotels with the biggest/safest car parking for the Rover, they were also the most expensive to eat in. In Ypres this was no problem as there are loads of restaurants to choose from but in Albert we only found the Basilique Hotel restaurant suited our needs (very well I might add !). Also, our visit to Talbot House on the Monday failed. Poperinghe is closed on a Monday !

However, the reason for the trip was contained in your guides, the detail and information of which was stunning. So thorough in fact that the resulting interest level became so high that to take full advantage, although we managed to fit in the planned (for personal reasons) visits to Vimy Ridge and Loos in between the Somme and Ypres areas, rather than hurry through your guide suggestions we missed about a third of both the Somme and Ypres "itineraries". We are, however, aiming to go back again as soon as we can to complete the areas we missed. Quite honestly, we spent so much time studying and walking your easy to follow comparison photo's/diagrams/maps and reading of the personalised experiences that I don't think we would have completed the full programme anyway !

What struck us all was, when studying the actual ground and the geography, how small an area it was - and all those lives. (I see on the news recently that tunnels have been found adjacent to the Serre battlefield - I guess not far from where we were walking !). Our final evening at the Menin Gate when they had a (bag)pipe band and two choirs really did make a hugely moving and inspirational finale.

All in all a fabulous experience. Thank you.

[...]

We passed your name on to a number of interested people we met over there and I will have no hesitation in recommending you to my friends/colleagues/interested parties.

Thank you for making our first visit to the battlefields such a marvellous experience. Roll on the next one !

Regards, Mike

Regards
Mike Kyle

---

Email from Daniel Bone and friends following a Somme Self-Drive tour April 2011

Dear James, 

Having just returned from France I feel I must drop you a line to thank you for a wonderfully organised trip.

From the very start our trip went smoothly and your kind addition of the Vimy Ridge info made our first day even more enjoyable.

On the main tour your instructions and back up information, (which at first glance looked a little involved!!), were spot on, giving precise directions and extremely relevant and interesting back up details. We would read these aloud as we approached, keeping 6 usually noisy men absolutely silent!!! The descriptions and quotes took the modern day countryside back to 1916 with often startling reality.  

We spent as long as we needed at each site, sometimes thinking we had spent too long, (i.e. The Newfoundland memorial) and still finished our tour at 4pm on the second day, simply perfect timing! 

My thanks must also go to the Canadian students who act as tour guides at the Canadian memorials, they were not only well informed but fluent, polite and extremely proud of their country's contribution to the conflict. A credit to their nation.  

I speak for all of our group when I say how much we learned and how we can now put perspective to the battle field and appreciate not only what a mammoth undertaking the Somme offensive was, but the reasons for the disastrous outcome. It is moving to see all the memorials to the French and Commonwealth troops, but also a little saddening to see the much more demure and understated German graveyards crammed with men who, similarly, had no personal grievance toward their opponent, but were simply political victims.  

Once again, thank you for guiding us through a highly informative and sobering tour. 

[...] 

Kindest regards from all of us, 

Daniel Bone.

---

Email from JPaul Judge following a Somme Self-Drive tour April 2011

Hello James 

In a word Fantastic!!! 

What a place. We had a really good time. The guides were brilliant and very informative and easy to follow. We managed about 80% of the itinerary as we only had about 3 days which was never going to be long enough to cover the amount of history in the area and do it justice (years at least required). The weather was fantastic and we could not believe that everywhere we went we had to ourselves, for example three of us had the whole of Beaumont Hamel to ourselves, The Ulster Tower and even the Thiepval Memorial not to mention the numerous cemeteries that we visited. As I said the whole thing was fantastic. The hotel was great and Albert itself was a lovely place to have as a base from which to tour the area. 

Many Thanks 

Paul, Tina, Rory.

---

Email from John Morgan following Self-Drive tour March 2011

Dear James,

We arrived home last night following what for us had been a very special and enjoyable visit. Thank you for arranging everything (including the weather?). All of the arrangements were perfect including a very pleasant stay at the Hotel Basilique. You guide was extremely useful. I now have a much clearer understanding as to where my great uncle saw action and how that day fitted into the wider situation.

The beautiful weather and very quiet atmosphere due to the low numbers of visitors allowed us plenty of opportunities for quiet reflection in such beautiful surroundings.

Thanks again,

Best regards,

John

---

Email from Roz Webster, Managing Director of Cream Travel, London, following Self-Drive tour November  2010

Dear James

We have returned from the Battlefields tour and defrosted! 

It was fantastic.  When I first got the paperwork I admit I was overwhelmed by the amount of reading and wondered if we’d ever get anywhere but it was so easy to use and once we were in situ it was very user friendly.

Hotel Basilique perfect, and we ate there one night at the L’Auberge the other night.  We had drinks and lunch in a rather non-French wine bar next to the hotel called Hygge but it was great and they were very friendly.   

On our way back to Calais we stopped at the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge.  It was a one of the highlights I must admit (snow covered ground and a misty winters morning – quite breathtaking).  Obviously not quite within the remit of the 2 day Somme tour but definitely worth recommending to people who have a bit of spare time.  We found that because we had the places to ourselves, and probably also because it was so cold, we had more than enough time to fit in everything we wanted to see.  

A huge success, so thank you very much 

Kind regards

Roz

---

Email from Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, following Self-Drive tour November  2010

Dear Mr Power, 

My family and I want you to know at this 'Remembrance-time' how much we appreciated all your work for us in connection with our recent visit to the Western Front. 

We 'enjoyed' our time together on this journey of learning which, because of our interest in my grandmother's first husband, was also very much one of personal pilgrimage. 

Your guides were excellent.  We would not have survived without them and we accomplished the entire routes in both regions:  Ieper and the Somme.  We added in our diversion to Hermies (to visit the grave) and also spent hours reconstructing the final days of Serjeant Dan Griffith in the lead up to his death on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai. 

[...]

Our accommodation - particularly at Corbie - was splendid.  Le Macassar is certainly a gem:  Ian and Miguel were wonderful hosts.  It was like visiting and receiving hospitality from friends. 

Our journey was followed with interest by many others on both Facebook and Twitter, one of the consequences of which is that, later this afternoon, I am recording an interview about our trip with one Irish radio station which will be broadcast on Sunday.

With renewed thanks, 

+Paul

Bishop Paul Colton

---

Email from Christine Wells following Self-Drive tour September  2010

Dear James and Annette,

We cannot thank you enough for our Battlefields Tour which was a great success. At the start we were very lucky to spend a day with Jacques who's knowledge & enthusiasm was inspiring. The Ariane was excellent, the Royal Picardie not quite as good but adequate. Your maps and all the information provided was invaluable. We covered many miles and saw all that we hoped for including finding the grave of Ros Howard's uncle.

[...]

Many thanks again for organizing the tour which was a memorable experience and one that all 4 of us all enjoyed immensely. We are happy to recommend you to any friends thinking of doing a WW1 tour.

With best wishes, Jonathan & Christine Wells

---

Email from Nigel Turner following Self-Drive tour September  2010
(edited - full email shown on Testimonials page)

Hi James,

This is a very belated email to thank you for the Somme and Ieper  [Ypres] trip you organised for us in September 2010.  

[...]  We learned so much from just standing on a particular battlefield, orientating the (very impressive) written guide accordingly and just trying to imagine what it must have been like 90 odd years ago.  It was fascinating and humbling to piece together what happened on a particular bit of ground.  

[...]

You were right about the coaches.  We did not see too many coach parties, but when we did they certainly made their presence felt.  Made us thankful that we chose the self drive option at a quieter time of year.

The Ariane Hotel was excellent in every respect.  The Royal Picardie was not quite of the same standard, but good nonetheless.  Your guides are substantial, easy to follow and informative.  

[...] 

So, two very satisfied customers. We will definitely be back.

As one Englishman we met at Thiepval said, "this used to be a passion for me, now it's simply an obsession."  just about sums it up. 

Thanks and regards

Nigel Turner

---

Email from Hilary Brooks, Walton-on-Thames Women's Institute, following Self-Drive group tour September  2010

Dear James .

What a fabulous trip Walton-on-Thames WI had to Ypres with your company!! 

We only briefly met Jacques and our guide was Kristin in the end; but she had an absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and stories about Flanders. Kristin brought the whole scene alive for us. She was also amazingly helpful, even to the point of enabling us to eat our picnic lunch in her husband's fire station cafeteria!

Genevra met us to take Marion through the Menin Gate ceremony and she was fantastic [...]

Your choice of hotel was spot on and the literature you sent us was excellent.

I could not rate your company more highly and would happily recommend you. 

very best wishes

Hilary

---

Email from Paul Collins following Self-Drive tour August 2010

Hi James,

WOW!

Thank you for providing us with such a great tour.

Your attention to detail was fantastic.

Everything from the driving directions, ferry crossings, accommodation etc was superb and without doubt your self-drive tour is the way to see the battlefields.

You must have spent a considerable amount of time researching which became evident as we followed your tour and referred to your tour guide notes.

We found all the additional places we spoke about and again thank you for your assistance with this.

Once we have downloaded our photographs we will forward you a few showing the graveyard and headstone of our relative.

Again, thank you so much for providing us such a detailed tour and the information provided will also be useful reference documents for my daughter with her future exams etc.

We would be happy to recommend your services to anyone who is thinking of doing such a tour.

Kind Regards

Paul

---

Email from Scott Phillips following Self-Drive tour July 2010

Hi James, 

A belated email to say thank you for the amazing work you did on the tour information and the accommodation choices for our recent trip. As you know, it was a bit of a whirlwind visit, but we found the information you prepared to be amazingly informative, detailed and very helpful. 

The hotels you chose were fantastic, with the staff at the Ypres hotel as helpful as any throughout our entire European holiday, and the location and restaurant at Albert second to none! 

The tour was sobering and awe inspiring, and we would have missed most of the key sites and context were it not for your very thorough information. 

Thanks again! 

Scott Phillips

---

Email from Mr & Mrs Wadeson following Self-Drive tour June 2010

I just wanted to thank you very much for a wonderful battlefield self-drive experience. Everything just worked out so well thanks to your hard work and organization on our behalf.

The hotels were just great in every regard. We particularly loved the Ariane at Ypres and I would like to thank you for your efforts in getting us in there - my husband enjoyed it so much-it just made so much difference to be in a lovely hotel.

Your battlefield itineraries were so interesting and helpful-you must have put a great deal of work into them.

[...]

Thank you again for all your help,

Peter and Patricia Wadeson.

---

Email from Mr & Mrs Widdup following Self-Drive tour June 2010

Dear James,

We would like to express our thanks for such a professionally organised trip that ran like clockwork. The amount of information supplied was more than adequate and struck the right balance in allowing us to explore to a depth that suited us and we felt comfortable with.

This is the first time we have spent much time in this part of France and Belgium and to see all the red poppies in full bloom made us appreciate more why this flower has become so emblematic. Also seeing the spectacular countryside it was difficult and sad to envisage what it looked like 90+ years ago and the horrors mankind can inflict on one another.

To say we enjoyed the break does not sound appropriate but we have no regrets in what could have been a very melancholy tour. We certainly came away better educated and fulfilled appreciating more the pleasure of living in peacetime.

Keep the good work up and your recommendation of where to eat was spot on. Thank you all round for what you did.

Meena & Alastair

---

Email from Mr P Sinnott following Self-Drive tour May 2010

Dear James,

Just a quick line to let you know that we had a great time visiting the Somme and Ypres battlefields. Your itinerary, directions etc. were excellent.

I shall be pleased to recommend your company if asked.

regards

Patrick Sinnott.

---

Email from Mr J Lamb following Self-Drive tour May 2010

Dear Mr Power

I thought you might like to know that we are safely home after, inter alia, our battlefield tour which we thoroughly enjoyed – if that is the right expression for a trip of that nature.  Your route instructions were spot on and so easy to follow and the Part 2 Guide will be a permanent reminder in our bookcase of the stories and horror behind it all. 

The weather was very cold for the time of year but perhaps that was why it was so quiet – a real bonus.  Only saw two coaches the whole way round! 

Sincerely 

John Lamb.

---

Email from Mr S Fielding following Self-Drive tour May 2010

Hi James

A quick note to let you know that my son James and I thoroughly enjoyed our Somme visit which was an unqualified success and very moving experience due mainly to all your initial preparation, maps, Channel crossing bookings etc etc - a really worthwhile and enjoyable visit with everything going like clockwork. I had also forgotten how easy the French roads were compared to the M6, M25 and M20. 

We both thought that the absolute highlight of our trip was the day we spent with Peter Smith who was so amazingly enthusiastic and knowledgeable and worth every penny - otherwise it would have been confusing looking at the French countryside without having his initial introduction. The next day we spent the whole day in the field and it started to make sense on our own but it would have been difficult without his earlier input.

Many many thanks again from us both - the trip left us both wanting more! 

Kind regards. 

Stephen.

Subsequently

"Your business really deserves to prosper with all the care and personal attention you put into it".

---

Email from Mr & Mrs Kirkland  following Self-Drive tour March 2010

Dear James
 
Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the holiday we arranged through you.  Neil and I returned last Sunday and can honestly say the holiday was exactly what we were looking for.
 
The arrangements you made were very well thought out indeed.  We didn't get lost once, nothing unexpected happened, we found all hotels. battlefields and places of interest with great ease.
 
We will definitely recommend you to any friends who might be thinking of taking a similar trip.
 
As far as I was concerned the "thing" that made the whole experience complete was the personal accounts that you had interwoven amongst all the military detail you provided.
 
Anyway, thanks once again - the holiday was really something special and we will remember the experience for the rest of our lives.
 
Kind regards, hope the Falklands trip was a success for you.

Alex Kirkland

---

Email from Philip & Amy Alfeld following Self-Drive tour March 2010

Mr Power,
My wife and I are just returned from our self-drive tour of the Ypres & Somme Battlefields.  We are very pleased with every aspect of the tour we booked through you.  The selection of battlefield sites, explanations and directions simply could not have been better.  The itinerary gave us time to pause and reflect upon the unrelenting horror experienced by the soldiers of the BEF, as well as their allies and enemies.  The accommodations were very pleasant and the staff in each of the hotels were very friendly and helpful.  We managed to find a few artefacts, although in the end I had to abandon a small (but very heavy) iron wheel picked up in the vicinity of the first tank attack.  I'm convinced it was a tank component. Avirl Williams' guesthouse was a delight for lunch.  My wife has a genuine interest in the Great War and this was her birthday present.  Amy says it is the best such present I have given to her.  Thanks from both of us.

Philip & Amy Alfeld

---

Email from Jane Webb following Self-Drive tour 7 November 2009

Dear James 

Just a few words of thanks and appreciation for helping us realise an ambition to visit the Ypres Salient, something we have been talking about for several years.

Your directions, maps and explanations helped us to fully appreciate the horrors that took place ninety years ago.  We spent the first two days of our stay completing the driving itinerary and then spent Thursday in Ypres itself, mainly at the Flanders Fields Museum and exploring the cemeteries in the town, even managing to navigate ourselves to the cemetery at Essex Farm and discovering the bunker where John McCrae wrote the famous poem.  

We were fortunate enough to see the ceremony at the Menin Gate on two occasions, learning from the first visit the best position etc., and found it very dignified. 

The Ariane Hotel is excellent in every respect and will be even better when the new reception area is completed.

The weather was very kind to us, sunny every day and not a drop of rain during daylight hours.

We found the contrast between the Commonwealth Cemeteries and the German one at Langemark quite striking. Having visited other CWG sites in association with the Lancastria Association, it is always quite moving to see the care with which they were created and are maintained.  At one cemetery we were lucky enough to see two stonemasons re-engraving stones which had become weathered and were able to chat to them.

All in all we were pleased to be able to draw on your knowledge and expertise and will certainly recommend your service to others who may be considering a similar trip. 

With very grateful thanks.

Jane Webb

---

Email from Mr J Scarsbrook (Self-Drive tour October 2009)

Dear James

I know that I speak for the four of us when I say that the experience far exceeded our expectations - it was awesome!

 [...] We arrived before lunch, but could not have access to our rooms at the Best Western until 3pm. We took the opportunity to visit Peronne museum, which is well laid out and very informative. I was amazed at the 'openness' of it. In England everything would be behind glass and remote to deter vandals and thieves! In Peronne the lack of barriers gave a greater sense of reality and authenticity.

The Best Western [Peronne] is adequate, as you indicated in your literature, but there are better places to eat in the evening. We found a good Bistro just round the corner and ate very well.

The tours were excellent. We didn't manage to quite complete the full itinerary in the time, but found that it is not an experience to be rushed and would take more than one visit to really appreciate something of the enormity of what took place in the locations we visited.

Newfoundland Park is so atmospheric and riveting we stayed longer than we should.  We walked up to Hawthorn Ridge and down into the mine crater - incredible!  We found it impossible to drive past the many cemeteries along the journey, each has a poignant story to tell so we stopped at each one, if only briefly, to spend a few moments in quiet reflection on the enormous cost of freedom. 

Maybe because I live near Sheffield and seeing the trenches from which the men of Sheffield and the Barnsley pals fought, we found Serre and Sheffield Park in particular, very moving. To try and take in that it took eight months to gain some 150 yards with such incredible loss of life just leaves the mind reeling.

We visited Sequehart on the Wednesday to try and find where my friend's grandfather won his VC. [...] We returned then to the Ulster Tower and on to Thiepval, another location which cannot be rushed, not least for the excellent book shop in the visitor's centre.

We had to visit Mametz Wood to satisfy the Welsh member of our party, and we reluctantly left France on Wednesday evening with unforgettable memories, many captured on camera, determined to return God willing next year.

James, to just say 'thank you' seems inadequate. It was an unforgettable, unmissable experience and we are deeply appreciative of all your help in making those few days so very very special - it was worth every penny!

With our grateful appreciation once more,

John, Richard, Mark and John. 

---

15.9.09 (Self-Drive Tour September 2009)

Hi James,

I just thought that I would write to you following our trip to the Somme Battlefield. My Dad and I had a great time using your detailed guide to explore the numerous battle sites, graveyards and monuments that are scattered throughout the region.

Your guide was invaluable packed with so much information and as my Dad said it was the same as having a person with you only better because you had to read yourself and that involved you more into the experience.

Thank you for your time and attention to detail.

Barry

---

Email from Steve KIRWAN 25.8.09 (Self-Drive Tour August 2009)

Hi James, just a short note to let you know how much we enjoyed the trip to the Somme and Ieper. The guides were fantastic and allowed myself and Nick to imagine the scenes in 1916 .

The hotels were perfect and the weather great. The next plan is Normandy at some point next year. 

All in all excellent value.

Many Thanks

Steve

---

Email from Nick Baldwin 13.8.09
(Self-Drive Tour August 2009)

James

This is say thank you for organising our Somme battlefield tour.  All of the travel arrangements worked well and our accommodation was excellent.  But best of all were your marvellous guides - they really helped us find our way around and understand what we were looking at.  We also found the museums in Albert and Peronne very interesting - with a strong preference for the one in Albert.  We found the name of my wife's great uncle on the memorial at Thiepval, which brought home the personal contact with the battle.  It is a very sobering experience to see the memorial to the missing and all those graveyards packed with the bodies of young men.

Thanks again - we will recommend you to our friends. 

Best wishes

Nick

---

Email from Derek Brown OBE
4 August 2009
(Self-Drive Tour July 2009)

James

We have just returned from a hugely successful tour. The itinerary and arrangements all worked exactly as they should and we all agreed that nothing could have been done better.  I even managed to persuade Teddy [custodian of the Ulster Memorial] to take us into the wood and as my friends had a Grandfather who fought with the 16Bn RIR at Thiepval it proved a very sobering experience.

The hotel in Peronne, which although it gets poor reports on the web, was exactly what we needed and they looked after us extremely well.  Certainly no complaints from us.

An outstanding weekend.

Many thanks 

Derek

---

Email from James Cornish & family 24 July 2009
(Self-Drive Tour July 2009)

Dear James,

We have just returned from our trip to the Somme and would like to forward our thanks after a great trip. 

The directions were brilliant, ensuring that we stayed to plan on the entire trip while the information gave a fantastic insight into the landscape nearly 100 years ago.  In fact everything worked to plan.

Thanks to your directions we found my father in law's uncle's grave, a moving experience as the family only discovered that he had a grave following some investigation into the family tree over the last 6 months.  The first trip from the family to the grave in over 90 years.

[...]

Many thanks

James Cornish (& family)

---

Email from Hilary Rowark
19 July 2009
(Self-Drive Tour June 2009)

Dear James,
 
I have copied, below, the email that I sent to Genevra and Jacques tonight [personal tour]. I also wanted to thank you for your fantastic organisation for our tour. It far exceeded our expectations - the admin was great and everything went like clockwork.
 
thank you so much
 
With best wishes

Hilary

---

Email from Simon Littlejohns and Margaret Ricketts (New Zealand)
12 July 2009
(Self-Drive Tour June 2009)

Dear James

We have now returned to New Zealand, and wanted to express our sincere thanks to you for the wonderful tour that you organized for us:  your documentation and maps are so thorough and really make the landscape come alive.  

We were also so very impressed with the excellent service that was provided by Jacques and Genevra - that excellent team really do go "the extra mile" to tailor tours to one's particular interests - we could not have wished for a better, more thoughtful  guide, and the picnic lunches were just delightful!  Through Jacques, we learnt so much and were shown so many sites, with detailed explanations that we would not otherwise have had access to.  Genevra was just wonderful,  she was able to locate additional information for us about our relatives buried there,  as well as providing personal touches like a poppy wreath that we could place on the graves.  We, and our friends from Australia, have many, many wonderful memories and will certainly recommend your company to friends and acquaintances wishing to tour Flanders and the Somme.   Thank you again,

With all good wishes,

Simon Littlejohns and Margaret Ricketts. 

---

Email from David Shawyer (UK)
30 June 2009
(Self-Drive Tour June 2009)

James

My wife and I wanted to thank you so much for your excellent guided self drive tour. We did not manage to do absolutely everything but we certainly gave it a good shot! We probably spent too much time in the museums in Albert and Peronne (which were both excellent in their different ways) and ran out of time. It was so good that you so often took us off the beaten track and we were able to wander around just smelling those wonderful roses of Picardy in the graveyards and listening to the birdsong ( so different from July 1 1916!) We really did have an enjoyable ( if that can be the right word)- certainly moving – time.

[...]

Finally – we have to thank you so much for recommending Le Macassar- it was excellent. Ian and Miguel were so friendly and helpful. We had a most enjoyable and relaxing stay with them.

Thank you

---

Email from Judith Kinnear (Australia)
19 May 2009
(Self-Drive Tour May 2009)

Dear James

Thank you for making the arrangements for us regarding the three-day battlefield tour in Belgium/France last month.  

Your detailed notes were most useful in providing background and context for the sites that we visited.   In terms of accommodation, the Ariane Hotel was delightful, providing just the friendly atmosphere that was needed.

As you may see from the message below, the expert guidance of Jacques Rykenbosch was indeed inspiring, consummately professional  and exceeded my expectations.   You could not have chosen a better guide for us as his passion for WWI and his expert knowledge  meant that every site we visited came alive in various ways. 

I would very much like to return to the area one day.

Kind regards and renewed thanks

Judith Kinnear 

---

Email from Claire Dove
Sent: 2 May 2009

Dear James,

We got back from Ieper [Ypres] yesterday and just wanted to say what a remarkable time we had. The travelling was well organised and trouble-free with excellent directions. The hotel [Ariane Hotel, Ypres/Ieper] was really lovely and the Belgian people couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. We were blessed with glorious weather apart from one rainy morning but we were glad to have had a taster of what the poor soldiers had to endure. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour around the sites and managed to find our way to one or two extras too. We appreciate that 3 days is no where near long enough and only scratched the surface but it was great to be there and get the feel of the place. The Menin Gate ceremony was so moving and we managed to find the names of some distant family on the gate too. Your information guides are excellent at filling in all the details. We flicked through that book so many times looking at the maps trying to orientate ourselves. My Mum & Dad were very moved by the whole thing and couldn't believe how relaxed it all was - totally unlike the coach tours they have been used to.

So thank you for all your efficient organisation and advice. You helped make our trip really memorable. We cannot speak highly enough of your company and the tour.

Kindest Regards,

Claire Dove.

---

Email from Jonty Crosse
Sent: 17 April 2009

Just a quick word to say thank you very much for last week. We had a delightful stay at La Basilique and of course a marvelous experience at Le Macassar!!

Peter Smith did an amazing job last Thursday and took us on the ‘hidden’ route to some of the battlegrounds. He went to a lot of trouble to help us find the places where my great uncles fell and had a great attention to detail. Plus a good bloke!!

Your self guides were much better than any published guidebook and I can quite see how the knowledge therein has been gleaned from your decades of travel to the area. I am still going through them and because we were only there for such a short time, they have given me the impetus to go back again for more!!

All the best

Jonty

---

Email from Mr & Mrs Gregory
Sent: 15 April 2009

Just a note to say how very much we enjoyed the holiday! First of all, thank you very much for reorganising the dates at short notice. We got lovely weather which threw it all into counterpoint and enabled us to see much more in greater comfort - a good decision all round!

The quality of information you provided really made this a special holiday for us; we would never have found out so much by ourselves. The additional detail enabled us to understand much more what had actually happened - we should have missed half of it otherwise. I really feel that I now understand so much more about the poets' responses.

I personally found the large military cemeteries impressive - but the most moving were the little battlefield sites with perhaps 12-20 men. In the middle of ploughed fields, the sun shining, spring flowers blooming, the swifts flying and other birds singing...... They were exceptionally moving. 

[....]

So once more may we say thank you - a wonderful experience which we shall never forget thanks to your informative and personal guide - it was just like having you there beside us. I would recommend your company to anyone considering a similar visit.

Kind Regards

Gail Gregory - on behalf of Mike too.

---

Email from David & Brenda Williams
Sent: 15 April 2009

Good afternoon James

On behalf of my wife and me we would like to take the opportunity of thanking you and your team for being a major contributor in ensuring we both enjoyed our recent holiday in the “Battlefield of France / Flanders ”.

We found the information; maps and sundry items supplied by your company were so informative that to do the same trip without such detail information would not have been so ‘enjoyable’. 

The experience was ‘enjoyable’ but also very moving and at time made us both very cross when one sees the total stupidity of the so called Offices/ Generals some 11 miles away from the front lines issuing the orders  with out consideration that sent large quantities men from both sides to their death.

On the positive side we found my wife’s Grandfather Name at the ‘ Tyne Cot Cemetery ’, a period of the holiday which along with the playing of the ‘Last Post’ at the ‘Menin Gate’ memorial, we both found very emotional.

Again thank you for facilitating the experience for us, one which we feel we may continue again next year.

Again we thank you

Yours sincerely

Dave & Brenda Williams
 

---

Email from Dr Alan Barge
Sent: 2 November 2008

Dear James,

Just a brief eulogy to thank you for a superb itinerary and guide for our trip to Ypres and The Somme this week.

We had a superb time, and really enjoyed everything. The Hotel Albion in Ypres was delightful and the proprietors could not have been more helpful. The self-drive guide around Ypres was superb, and we visited all of the sites that you recommended. The Menin Gate was particularly moving on both evenings that we were there.

Peronne was equally interesting, and the Musee de la Grande Guerre was very impressive.

Your guide and itinerary were superb - excellent level of detail and directions as well as remarkable background.

We really appreciate all of your hard work  and thank you again.

Kind regards and best wishes

Alan & Katie Barge

---

Email from Sedja Hunt
Sent: 10 October 2008

Hi James

Just a note to advise you that our trip went like clockwork , hotel was excellent and your itinerary was most useful.

We did not get to see all that we wanted and so a return trip is most likely. We want to visit the Somme next year so I will be in contact with you early next year.

One bonus for us was that Harry Patch was at the Menin Gate on the Sunday evening.

Thank you for all of your assistance.

Kind regards

Sedja

---

Email from Keith Devlin
Sent: 8 October 2008

Hi James

My son (Fraser) and I had a great trip last weekend. The documentation and itinerary you provided were excellent and made the visit very worthwhile, a very emotional, humbling and informative experience. I found my grandfather's name on the memorial at Vis En Artois which was especially poignant given that it was the 90th anniversary of his death, What a beautiful memorial it is - the nicest one we saw. I was so impressed with how well all the cemeteries are maintained by the CWGC. It must be very comforting for relatives that visit the graves.

Fraser bought lads of books and DVDs and is very determined to really make WW1 his speciality and visit many more times.

Thank you once again for the excellent service and comprehensive documentation you sent. 

The only suggestion I would make is that if anyone is staying in Peronne that they know there is a market on all day Saturday and will not be able to park in the normal car park for the Best Western hotel.

Best Regards,

Keith 

---

Email from Ronald Hewitt
Sent: 12 September 2008

Dear James.

We just wanted to let you know that we had a memorable two days touring the Somme &Ypres battlefields. We could not have a better guide than Jacques, who is so passionate & knowledgeable that he left us with memories that will last a life time. We shall never forget the emotion of visiting my grandfathers grave for the first time .

Thanking you & best wishes
                                                        Ron & Lesley Hewitt

---

Email from Peter Kearns
Sent: 9 September 2008

Good Morning James,

Just a quick note to say many thanks for the guide books and tour, it all worked extremely well and really gave the opportunity for a much deeper understanding of the battle sites. There were many highlights over the week-and much emotion. The accommodation reserved for us was excellent.

Thank you for highlighting the Irish elements, particularly the Ulster Monument where we met and spent some time with the curator and his wife.

Again many thanks James.

Kind regards,

Peter Kearns

---

Email from John Severson (USA) 4 September 2008

James,

We just returned to our home in Oregon, and I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip we had to the Somme Battlefield.  Janice and I had high expectations on this trip, and I must say they were all exceeded.  The material you sent as background was most informative, in-depth and easy to follow. 

The hotel accommodation at Le Macassar were simply superb.  What a great job they have done in restoring that place. Ian and Miguel both made us feel part of the family when we arrived.  We had such a relaxing and interesting time with them and the other guests each evening we were there.  They pointed us in the right directions for dining and gave us some good background on the surrounding area.  Our room was the best we stayed in during our 25 days in Europe.  But the best was yet to come. 

As a West Point graduate and 20 year army veteran, I was extremely interested in finding out more about the battle of the Somme.  We met Martin, and right away we knew we were in for a super day.  He did everything just right.  He gave us background on the events leading up to the battle, outlined the order of battle and then led us on a most interesting and insightful tour.  I wanted to see where the British lines were and where the Germans were lined up against them.  He showed us that time after time and flavored the tour with personal stories of soldiers and units that added so much to our time on this incredible piece of history.  He brought the battlefield to life.  He pointed out machine gun positions, trenches, strong points, and many other features of the battlefield. You could tell he loved what he was doing and what he was doing he knew extremely well.  Thanks for arranging for Martin to lead us around the battlefield. I wished that several of my old army buddies had been there with us to soak in this history.

[...]

Again, thank you so much.  If you ever want a reference/endorsement call on me.  I would be happy to support you in any way I can.

John Severson

USMA 1967

---

Email from Rachael Passmore
Sent: 20 August 2008

Dear James,  

Just a quick email from myself, my mother and father to say a huge thank you for arranging a very successful battlefield trip for us last weekend. The trip was extremely organized and efficient and my father especially thought the self drive directions were brilliant. The accommodation was good and our guide was utterly fantastic. All in all we had a brilliant weekend and learnt so much from it, many thanks once again for being so helpful and providing us with this great trip.

[...]

Best wishes,

Rachael Passmore

---

Email from Colin Passmore
Sent: 18 August 2008 12:04

Dear Mr Power

Just a quick note to tell you that the trip to Ypres over the weekend that my daughter Rachael organised through you was FANTASTIC!  Great guide (Jacques), very good hotel, excellent paperwork and directions  and smooth all the way.  Thank you very much indeed.

You should campaign to ensure every school child in the country goes to Ypres or the Somme.  Truly awe inspiring and humbling.;

Yours sincerely

Colin Passmore
 

---

E-mail from Lydia Rettelet re Somme Self-Drive tour July 2008

Dear James,

Just to say thank you for arranging a very successful weekend for us in the Somme. We were very happy to stay in Péronne, followed your recommendation and ate at Brasserie Centrale, and also appreciated being so near the WW1 history museum. Incidentally, we also had a very nice meal at Le Saint-Vincent, in Bld des Anglais, overlooking the water - lovely location, delicious food.

My husband André was impressed with the self-drive tour, and really enjoyed having the events and places he'd read about so many times brought to life. The background info, and photos, landmarks and front-line markings were a great help to non-experts like me, as were the very thorough road directions.

We will certainly recommend your tours, and will get back to you if we visit Ypres and the Belgian battlefields.

Many thanks again, and best wishes

Lydia

---

E-mail re Somme Self-Drive tour 6 June 2008 

Hi James

Hefin and I got back from our battlefield tour last night and wished to say thank you arranging the hotels etc and providing such excellent guides.  We had a really great time and both learnt a lot - a memorable holiday.  Again many thanks for all the hard work and research you must have put in to create such an integrated and rounded package, one I would recommend to anyone with an interest in this period of our history.

Regards

Huw and Hefin Gulliver

---

E-mail re Somme Self-Drive tour 2 June 2008

Dear James,

Just to let you know that my husband and I had a very pleasant weekend in France. We followed your route, visiting monuments, cemeteries and museums as well as Avril’s tea room. We also found time to visit Arras, Amiens and the gardens at Valloires on our return journey.

The Hotel de la Basilique was very comfortable and the food excellent. We feel that your remarkably detailed guides not only helped to put everything in context but also enabled us to make the most of limited time. Our thanks for making the weekend so easy to organize.

Best wishes,

Jane Veal

---

E-mail re Somme Self-Drive tour 2 June 2008

Dear Mr Power
 
The tour guides made it an experience that we will never forget. The details and itineraries you provided enabled us to visit areas where we were often the only two people around.
 
We went to Newfoundland Park straight from Calais and then stopped off for tea at Avril Williams.
 
[...]
 
Delville Wood was deeply moving and we used your excellent directions to take the time to find the hornbeam tree you mentioned
 
[...]

In summary, we found it a deeply moving experience and would highly recommend your tours to our friends and relations. (On more than one occasion, we heard another visitor say " we have to be going now as the coach leaves at ...". Your guides enabled us to move at our own pace.
 
Thanks again for making it such an experience which my son and I will never forget.
 
Yours Sincerely
 
Andy Hardie

---

E-mail re Somme Self-Drive tour 28 January 2008

Many thanks for all your information, had a fantastic time, weather good, maps were easy to follow, saw most of what we wanted to see. Your guides were very good and easy to follow.

Will be going again.

Once again many thanks and all went very well.

Wesley 

---

E-mail re Somme Self-Drive tour 22 January 2008

Dear James,
 
We just wanted to drop you a line to thank you so much for arranging the most wonderful [self-drive] weekend for us.
 
Le Macassar was quite the most beautiful place we have ever stayed - Ian and Miguel made our stay so enjoyable and were every bit as attentive as you said they would be: perfect hosts.
 
The pack you prepared for us worked brilliantly.  We found all the sites easily, thanks to your detailed directions, and the information you gave was always interesting and very relevant.  It was very moving to be on the battlefields themselves, particularly as we were all pretty well read on the subject before venturing out.  The little hints and tips you gave made it even more special though, and all four of us were extremely impressed with the quality of the tour.
 
We shall, no doubt, be contacting you at a later date for information on the Ypres tour but, in the meantime, thank you again for a truly memorable weekend.
 
Kind regards,
 
JD

---

E-mail from Martin Oley following Somme Self-Drive tour 9 July 2007

James,

Just got back after a great [self-drive] weekend. Your maps / guide notes were brilliant, we followed them to the letter and by the end of day 1 had a real picture of how everything fitted together / who was where/when etc (Deville wood / Africaan memorial and Hunters Lane/Sunken Road seemed very real to me. On day 2 we located the (exact) spot where the 22nd advanced from on 01/07, as you said there are no real signs of the past but we got a real understanding of why its called 'The Mound' with its vantage point looking down on Mametz (whilst walking around the fields we even found a shell casing that is now at home with me!).

Having now seen the Somme it makes me want to know a bit more - would you have any idea how I could find out when my grandfather enlisted and his regiments movements up to July 1918?.

Overall I'd like to thank you for all you've done. As I've said, the guidenotes were excellent and your added descriptive a real bonus.

Sincere thanks and kind regards

Martin

---

From Dr D Ward ref Self-Drive tour October 2006

Dear James