We are living in fear. Not from the riots but from the local shopkeepers who constantly hound us. We have to agree to look in their shop to have peace but we promise to do it later. Now we have to take different routes to avoid them.
What a huge day today. We were picked up at 6.45am for the 320 klms or 6 1/2 hour bus journey (including breakfast, lunch and breaks) to Gallipoli. We arrived at ANZAC Cove at 1pm. We had a tour guide which was invaluable in learning about each area and what had happened there. We didn't realise how much there was to see.
The dawn service area is not that large yet they accommodate ten thousand people. The mind boggles what the soldiers went through. The trenches including some timber reinforcing walls and shafts are clearly visible. They dug, cut trees and built these under enemy fire. They were then expected to maneuver through terrible terrain and climb incredibly steep land. What remains are national treasures yet the timber and shafts are left unprotected and are deteriorating. They are almost one hundred years old but unless something is done, they certainly won't last another hundred.
There are many cemeteries and memorials for both sides that have been well planned, built and maintained. I managed to find two of my relatives - brothers that were killed a day apart. They are from my fathers mothers side. Most people on the tour were either Australian or New Zealanders and some had documents that they carried specifically to search for a relative.
We left at 5pm and with only one break, arrived home at 10.30. We were all glad that we did this tour. Tilly will learn about Gallipoli at school this year so should be well informed.
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