Les Alouettes B&B, self catering accommodation and WW1 battlefield Tours

Name: Les Alouettes B&B, self catering accommodation and WW1 battlefield Tours
Address: 12 Rue du Mantier, Hardecourt-aux-Bois, 80360, FR
Telephone: +33671784074
Rating: 5

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France
Hardecourt-aux-Bois
Les Alouettes B&B, self catering accommodation and WW1 battlefield Tours

We offer ensuite B&B and self-catering accommodation in the heart of the Somme battlefields and tours
(19)

04/09/2024

A lovely memory of a tour to the Hindenburg Line with a few remaining poppies from summertime.

In Fond Remembrance.

02/09/2024

This morning's sunrise. Beautiful.

30/08/2024

A memory from the Covid years from Spring 2020...

I had a lovely 7kms circular walk today and I managed to keep within the authorised 2kms distance away from our home.

I heard two beautiful skylarks too break into the stillness of the countryside.

I am really loving my walks around the beautiful Somme countryside.

29/08/2024

One of my all time favourite memorials, the 51st Highland Division Memorial.

Lest We Forget.

28/08/2024

A very memorable day with John and Lynn McIntyre. John is a third generation Scot who is from New South Wales.

He lost two Great Uncle's during the Great War, Colin McIntyre, who was a runner, is buried in Adelaide cemetery and Andrew McIntyre is buried in La Neuville British cemetery just outside Corbie. His third ancestor survived the War but never returned to Australia but after being injured he stayed in in England.

John is a bagpiper and played beautifully by Colin's grave. A poignant day with a beautiful couple and one that I will never forget.

In Fond Remembrance.

26/08/2024

Anyone care for a chocolate? ☺️ I had the fortune of a visit to see my old friend, Carl, last week whilst guiding in the Ypres Salient. We always pop in whenever we are there, as his chocolates are the best on the planet plus his smile lights up his chocolate shop.

A must visit if you are ever visiting the city of 'Wipers'. His shop sits on the main square on the left hand side as you head down from the Menin Gate. Just look for for the old Tearoom sign as his family run business used to be.

See you next time Carl 🍫

25/08/2024

A very special moment yesterday when John McIntyre from New South Wales played his pipes at his Great Uncle's grave, Colin McIntyre in Adelaide British cemetery.

Initially he was too emotional to be able to play.

This is a first to have a bagpiper playing on one of our personalised tours.

Just beautiful and a memory that I will never forget.

In Fond Remembrance.

22/08/2024

Beautiful and sunny in Chipilly by the meandering Somme river and just five minutes from home.

21/08/2024

Very pleased to be able to get one of our group to visit the grave of a relative this morning. Pte Francis Skjellrup died on 3rd May 1918 and now rests in the nearby Crucifix Corner Cemetery. He was 21. The family was originally from Denmark.

20/08/2024

War hero with PTSD committed Su***de

It has been estimated that perhaps 250,000 British soldiers suffered PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) after the First Word War. The condition was barely understood at the time and most men received no treatment or counselling.

There are no reliable statistics to show how many ex-servicemen committed su***de in the 1920s and 30s. This is the story of one who did.

Captain Rupert Farrant MC

Rupert was born in 1884 in Taunton, Somerset. He had three brothers. His father was a Surgeon.

He was educated at Epsom College and went on to study medicine.

He qualified as a Surgeon in 1909.

When war was declared he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He served in France, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Italy.

At some point during the war he was severely wounded by an exploding shell.

He was awarded the Military Cross.
The citation printed in the London Gazette in January 1917 stated:-
Temp. Capt. Rupert Farrant, F.R.C.S., R.A.M.C., attd. Shrops. L.I.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the whole day he tended wounded in an open trench which was subjected to a violent bombardment. On one occasion he led a party into No Man's Land and brought in several wounded men”.

After the war he resumed his medical career but suffered from mental problems. He broke down while giving a lecture in February 1920 and felt unable to continue with his Hospital duties.

On 18th January 1921 he threw himself under a train at Kilburn Park station and was killed. He was 37 years old.

The Coroner at his inquest said that “Farrant had served his country well, and was a victim of war strain”.

Rupert did not die in battle but he was just as much a victim of the war as any who were killed on the Somme or at Passchendaele.

20/08/2024

We have known James, or Jim to most, for many years since he was in short trousers.. Well not quite ☺️. We used to give him a lift to the Western Front Association - Midlands East Branch .

This tome, part 1, will be an excellent purchase for anyone interested in the Gallipoli campaign. If you know his page, Gallipoli, 1915, you will know how excellent it will be.

Well done James.

Alive with death: August 1914 - April 1915 (Hell and Confusion: Gallipoli day by day)

20/08/2024

A stunning cemetery and so many beautiful epitaphs.

Remembering.

Lest we Forget.

19/08/2024

A lovely memory from 2021.

We had a wonderful visit with Celine from the Tourism Office in Albert to the top of the beautiful Basilica. The views were breathtaking in such glorious weather too.

There are 228 steps to climb to the top but well worth it.

Thank you so much Celine for an amazing, informative visit which included an impromptu tour inside the Basilica by the Director. 💕

18/08/2024

Taken in our garden, the bee is just leaving...

17/08/2024

A beautiful but heart rendering epitaph which was sadly fulfilled.

In Fond Remembrance.

16/08/2024

Another beautiful sunrise on the Somme.

15/08/2024

14/08/2024

Sunrise on the Somme.

13/08/2024

I said... we need to be early to get a good spot ☺️ under the Gate.

Lovely memories from 2014.

12/08/2024

I love this avenue of trees in Heath military cemetery. Just beautiful.

11/08/2024

Pfc Charles McAllister will finally be laid to rest in his home town on Seattle.

11/08/2024

Last week we visited Ault on the Somme coast, a special place for us. We once took former Gunner Gil Elwin of the Royal Garrison Artillery here when he was 98 years old. He was on leave here during the Great War.

During his service he was taking down a message using Morse Code and the message was for him, to go immediately on leave! He gave us that message in the indelible pencil. We treasure this.

10/08/2024

A very special pilgrimage tour over ten years ago.

In Fond Remembrance.

09/08/2024

A lovely memory.

07/08/2024

A memorable tour with a lovely family.

In Fond Remembrance.

06/08/2024

Just love this from the Wiper's Times, a satirical magazine produced by the 12th Battalion Sherwood Foresters who recovered an old printing press in the ruins of Ypres.

05/08/2024

A lovely tour on the Anniversary of the successful capture of the Windmill on the 4th August 1916.

Their son, Angus, is competing in the Olympics with the Australian Water Polo team and whilst he prepares for the match today against Japan they headed to these sacred battlefields.

A wonderful day in great company. Wishing Angus and his team success this afternoon.

Adresse

12 Rue Du Mantier
Hardecourt-aux-Bois
80360

Téléphone

+33671784074

Site Web

http://www.lesalouettes.net/

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Vidéos

A very special moment yesterday when John McIntyre from New South Wales played his pipes at his Great Uncle's grave, Colin McIntyre in Adelaide British cemetery. Initially he was too emotional to be able to play. This is a first to have a bagpiper playing on one of our personalised tours. Just beautiful and a memory that I will never forget. In Fond Remembrance.

A lovely group of friends who were heading up to Ypres yesterday afternoon spending just short of a week on the Somme. They were meeting 100 fellow bikers to witness the Last Post last night. It is a pity he didn't leave his Harley Davidson behind 💛.

It was wonderful to see the steam train this afternoon, on the WW1 original narrow gauge railway line near Cappy. It was a complete surprise during our bimble out. A joy to see and just few minutes from home.

The famous Minneke Poes.

A fantastic day yesterday with the cat festival in Ypres. This was the finale the throwing of the artificial cats from the Cloth Hall Tower. It is a traditional going back to medieval times.

The Dawn Service.

Erin and Jack read 'Why do you cry'.... A very powerful and emotional poem. A true highlight yesterday. Jack and Erin spoke so beautifully. In Fond Remembrance.

And the red poppies dance ..... In Fond Remembrance.

We still have two Greater Spotted woodpecker's visiting who are in the garden all day long. Lovely to see the nature.

' It is only by the grace of God that I am entering up the events of an extraordinary day. It would take reams to jot down everything that has happened, but it will always live in my mind as a day when I tasted death a thousand times.' Second Lieutenant Charles Lloyd, Royal Field Artillery. The Somme by Richard Van Emden.

The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance....

Our regular visitor, one of two, a greater spotted woodpecker.

Last week we had a couple of BBQ's in lovely warm weather. Today it is snowing.

A poignant service was held at the Ulster Tower Memorial and as all the ceremonies today, marking the Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, with just a few people due to the current travel restrictions. Emma sang so beautifully 'You'll Never Walk Alone' during the ceremony. Carol Walker MBE conducted the ceremony as always with such passion and respect for the bravery and self sacrifice of the 36th Ulster Division. Lest We Forget.

A poignant intimate ceremony at the Liverpool and Manchester Pals Memorial this afternoon in Montauban. Historian Nigel Cave spoke passionately along with Claudie Llewellyn, the owner of the historic Glory Hole. The pipes were played beautifully by the Peronne Somme Battlefield Pipe Band. Lest We Forget.

And our regular visits to the garden, a pair of collared doves ❤.

Our greater spotted woodpecker ❤

The Ulster Tower Memorial July 1st 2019

Raccourcis

Type

Guide touristique

Les Alouettes & Fairbanks & our WW1 pilgrimage Tours.

Hello, we are Vic and Diane and we will be your hosts at Les Alouettes, a B&B on the Somme and our recently built self-catering cottage, Fairbanks.

We both have a deep love of the battlefields and spent many years visiting them before deciding to make our home here on the Somme.

Before embarking on our French careers we had very different jobs. I was a journalist and Diane was an accountant. Nothing against these professions but after a number of years we decided we needed a change! And we certainly did that……..

For many years too in the UK we were involved with the Western Front Association – eventually running the East Midlands branch. Our greatest privilege during this time was knowing veterans of the Great War and we spent much time in their company – recording their memories and even bringing them over to their former battlefields. We have even had a few of them stay with us at Les Alouettes!

Diane’s accounting skills are still in use by keeping our books in order and writing has continued for me with freelance contributions ranging from a newspaper article on the Christmas Truce, features in the WFA magazine Stand To!, the publication of a book on the life of the poet Will Streets who died during the Battle of the Somme called A Dream within the Dark and I co-wrote a book called Famous with renown Great War author, Richard Van Emden. More recently I co-wrote a book called Trapped Behind Enemy Lines. This book tells a true story about a young Scot who got trapped when the village was overrun by the German army in 1914. He emerges from hiding as Mademoiselle Louise, leading an amazing double life for almost two years, ending in betrayal. Sentenced to death by the Germans only an impassionate plea from his adopted mother saves his life.

As well as our accommodation we also run WW1 personlised battlefield tours. Our area is vast ranging from our local Somme battefields, to Arras and Vimy Ridge, the Ypres Salient in Flanders, Verdun and the Argonne, and to Slovenia to see where the Battle of Caporetto took place in 1917. We specialise in making the tour as personalised as possible by undertaking any research regarding an ancestor and then trying where possible to follow in their footsteps. Get in touch for prices and tour details etc. on our e-mail address [email protected]

Prices in the bed & breakfast, Les Alouettes, start from 80 euros per room per night based on two persons sharing. The tariff in our self-catering cottage, Fairbanks start from £240 for a three night stay based on two persons.

For more information please visit our website on www.lesalouettes.net or e-mail us on [email protected]

Our main aim is to make your stay or guided pilgrimage tour as memorable as possible.