It's difficult to be flippant about a day like today, filled, as it was, with meaning and emotion.
We walked the three and a half kilometres, the last three and a half of our incredible trip, hand in hand at a leisurely pace in the fresh, early morning air with the promise of a beautiful summer's day. At the monument a piece of ground had been prepared right next to the monument itself. We were greeted by many people including an ex-pat lady who lives in Todtenhausen, the village in which the monument is sited. She has offered to look after and water the rose tree.
Members of the Rifles Regiment were on hand including two from Leeds, to witness the planting of the rose tree by a member of the local parks and gardens staff who was assisted, or hindered, by the Burgermeister of Minden and us.
We gave the tree its first watering with Yorkshire water, carried, in the motor home, for the purpose.
A service of remembrance followed for all those who fell in the battle. It was simple and moving. The soldiers were presented with their Minden Roses, white for the Rifles, and this was an especially moving moment for us.
Afterwards we were photographed with everyone there, or so it seemed and answered hundreds of questions before being ushered onto a bus to attend a wecoming ceremony in the town centre. This was for all participants in the festival.
In the afternoon we went to the building of a friendship bridge over the River Weser. This was achieved by a fleet of incredible specialist amphibian bridge building vehicles provided by British and German Army heavy engineering units and was spectacular to say the least. A great concept to show cooperation and frindship. We couldn't miss the chance to cross the bridge and photograph the Yorkshire flag on it.
We have too many invitations to fit in this visit. We are already arranging to come back and fit the other ones in. We won't be walking here next time though.
We finished our day by returning to the memorial with some more water for the rose tree. It wasn't needed. Someone had already watered it.
Perhaps that's why we walked 250 miles (actually it turned out to be about 270) with a rose tree.
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