Having seen the Lochnagar crater today the only way to explain the devastating scene is factually. On July 1st 1916 at 7:28 AM, the British Army detonated the Lochnagar mine – two underground charges of a high explosive compound (respectively 24,000lb and 30,000lb) and destroyed trenches occupied by German infantryman. The explosion followed 16 days of heavy artillery fire and immediately preceded a general infantry charge which began the Battle of the Somme – by midnight of the first day there were 57,470 British casualties (19,240 of whom died of their injuries). The battle of the Somme itself continued until 18 November, 1916 by which point it had claimed over 1,200,000 casualties and more than three hundred thousand people were killed during the course of the battle. 
Category Archives: Travel Blogs
To say its been breezy here…
To say its been breezy here is a bit of an under statement – night time fun over the last week has revolved around playing cards under the opaque yellow glow of an oil lamp and a few left over Christmas candles such is the vagary of the overhead power supply. We have had it easy compared to some, but I do wonder just were all this water is coming from and how much more the sodden ground can take. It takes no effort to wheel spin the GSA over the mud and gravel now deposited all over the local track and roads – makes even my riding look like dirt track pro…
Downtime in Austvågøya
Austvågøya could be overshadowed by Higravstinden the huge dominating mountain on the eastern island side but it also shares superb coastal beaches, stopping for tea and dried fish (is this were the British and Norwegian cultures met?) I kicked back in the summer sunshine and marvelled at the clarity of the water which at times allowed you to see the unperturbed marine life in its natural glory. 